Working Group Finalizes Irrigation Recommendations

 

Irrigation Association President David Zoldoske is vice chair of a California task force taking a broad look at water use in California landscapes. Under a 2004 state law, the task force, which is made up of representatives from water agencies, cities, environmental groups and the green industry, must report to the governor in December.

Smart controllers and dedicated irrigation meters are two recommendations already adopted by the task force taking a broad look at the use of water in California landscapes, according to the Irrigation Association. The final meeting of the entire task force is scheduled Sept. 13-14, and a final report is due to the governor by the end of the year.

The task force has already received 66 proposed actions and given final approval to 15, including a recommendation to require dedicated irrigation meters for new, multi-family properties with more than 5,000 square feet of irrigated landscape. The task force committee also approved a proposal to require all controllers sold or installed in California by 2010 to be smart controllers.

Several IA members, including Warren Gorowitz, vice chair of the irrigation group; John Ossa, chair of the IA Water Management Committee, and Tom Ash, are part of the Irrigation Working Group, which held its last meeting Aug. 16. An early draft of the irrigation report outlined seven recommendations, with a large portion paralleling the IA Turf and Landscape Irrigation Best Management Practices for proper design, installation, maintenance, management and general system quality for efficient irrigation. The group?EUR??,,????'???s draft also includes recommendations to support efficient technology, to promote training and certification and to encourage the use of non-conventional water sources in landscapes.