Water Management
Steve Jacobs, CLCA Water Manager is Winning Awards for Saving Water.
Out of control and hard to maintain was the complaint of this La Jolla resident. The property had multiple issues including a poorly designed irrigation system for the landscape. Plants were in the wrong location, existing irrigation was poorly placed and many areas had water running onto the hardscape. San Diego water is very hard and the water often stains - eventually ruining walls, fences, patios, driveways and other structures. The landscape also had spots that were soaking wet while others were not getting enough water.
During California’s third year of drought, Steve’s client was eager to take advantage of some of the rebates available in his area and he was definitely ready for a new look and less work. Steve knew that he could not only save his client water, but also give him a property that was sustainable, beautiful and functional. He implemented several irrigation upgrades including a smart irrigation controller, a drip system and a new irrigation system for the lawn using advanced irrigation technology called a Wick system. The Wick system utilizes evenly spaced, small bubbler type emitters, and was invented by Steve’s professor, Dr. Joe Hung, at Cal Poly Pomona. The site was measured, a new landscape design was planned and a water budget was developed. Together, Steve’s crew at Nature Designs installed the new landscaping and efficient water system, which was designed to meet the water budget.
Steve was able to document the water savings received each month using water meter readings, which were documented on a monthly basis. Water bills were also available and the client was able to confirm significant water savings and a reduction in the water bill by comparing the water use to the same month of the prior year. The client was also thrilled the property was much easier to maintain. Using beautiful drought tolerant plants with lots of color, the home is now surrounded with fragrant smells and attracts butterflies and humming birds. The design turned out really beautiful and the water usage reduction was so significant, the project was entered into the local CLCA Chapter for a Trophy Award and won first place for Residential Water Conservation Irrigation.
“With California’s dry climate, I have always considered water conservation very important and it is a large part of what we do here at Nature Designs,” said owner Steve Jacobs. “I like the fact that to be a Certified Water Manager through CLCA, you do more than just take a written test. In order to receive certification, water managers are required to maintain a water budget on a property for a year. You really have to know your stuff to be certified. I have always loved learning and managing water is an advantage I have over my competition. The program is still fairly new and has been well worth my time.”
Learning to manage landscape water usage to a budget is the heart of CLCA’s Water Management Certification program. Now, with the recently passed model water efficient landscape ordinance, water savings is a priority in California and affected properties are required to maintain a water budget. It seems that Steve is not only ahead of the competition, he is winning awards and new clients too!!