Existing landscapes are reported by both landscape contractors and public agencies to over-use water by as much as 50% (CLCA). Public agency data also shows new homes use more water than older homes (Contra Costa County), even with high efficiency plumbing devices installed inside homes. That focuses water agencies and government regulators on how to reduce landscape water use. New legislation in California, AB 1881, will set into place a new landscape water conservation ordinance across the state by 2010 with full affect in 2012. What does this mean for the landscape industry?

?EUR??,,????'??This is much needed legislation and will not only help raise the standards of the industry, but it can help increase business at every level of the landscape industry. I have seen it in my own business already,?EUR??,,????'?? says Bob Wade, 2006 CLCA Member of the Year.

Why is more water conservation, with an emphasis on meeting water budgets, reducing urban runoff and requiring the use of new technologies, good for the landscape industry? It means business. The new laws will mean the need for irrigation system retrofitting, changing out plant materials, redesigning high water use sites, installing higher efficiency nozzles and irrigating with ?EUR??,,????'??smart?EUR??,,????'?? controller technology. Customers, from homeowners to commercial property managers will be looking to the landscape industry for the expertise and the proposals to conduct the work needed to enable landscapes water efficient and meet water budget allocations.

A small version of the new AB 1881 legislation was implemented, in large part, some 15 years ago in Irvine by the local water agency. The goal then was to reduce water demand during a drought. Water was allocated based on local ET, calculated assuming a high irrigation efficiency level, and customers were penalized for wasted water. The impact of what seemed at the time to be a very harsh and landscape industry ?EUR??,,????'??unfriendly?EUR??,,????'?? water conservation ordinance, turned into increased landscape business driven by the need for customers to meet the water agency standards. As part of the water agency staff, I was able to watch the many landscape projects being done by customers and calculated that water use in landscapes was reduced by 50%, but that at least $10 million in landscape upgrades in 5 years were created for the landscape industry. This was all due to the ?EUR??,,????'??water conservation?EUR??,,????'?? ordinance that was very much like today?EUR??,,????'???s AB 1881.

Not only is this happening in California, but from the Federal agencies such as the EPA and the USBR, to state and regional water providers in Colorado, Florida, Arizona and Oregon, landscape water efficiency is being viewed as the next great place to save valuable water resources. This is good news for irrigation manufacturers, supply houses, plant growers and landscape contractors who will implement the work. Landscape architects are also seeing the opportunity for ?EUR??,,????'??water management?EUR??,,????'?? services now requested by customers.

So, the bottom line is that there will be more regulation of landscapes and water. But, that means every home and commercial landscape will need qualified and trained landscape professionals that know and understand how to make landscapes efficient. Now is the time to learn the techniques, the technologies and sales strategies to position your company to be a recognized water efficiency leader.