Audits
Environmental Water Management can provide Water Audits for Landscape and Agricultural properties in the Southern California area. By performing an Irrigation Efficiency Analysis we are able to recommend with confidence, steps to increase the productivity of our customers’ irrigation systems. Our goal is to help the customer focus on efficiency while at the same decreasing water costs.
What is an Irrigation Efficiency Analysis?
1. An IEA is a series of tests that tells us whether or not the customer's irrigation system is performing at an optimal level. To do so we perform three different tests; a flow test, a pressure test and an existing Infrastructure inspection.
2.The Flow Test is done using the Catch Can method, in which we place a number of cans around the designated sprinkler and measure the given volume of precipitation over a period of three minutes.
3. The Pressure Test is done using a pressure gauge. We take pressure readings at different locations within the irrigation infrastructure to determine if the station is receiving an adequate amount of pressure.
4. Our Infrastructure Test is done by walking the Irrigated area to look for inefficiencies including but not limited to: leaks, clogs, broken lines, inconsistent types of sprinkler heads, and head spacing.
5. After we’ve completed each test we will compile our data and give a written recommendation on how you can increase efficiency and output, while reducing costly watering expenses.
Tools – here’s a list of tools we use and typical recommendations we make:
Pressure Regulator – this is a good idea for lines with too much pressure
Pumping System – good idea for systems with not enough pressure, popular in the Agricultural Properties because of steep slopes
New Sprinkler Heads
Pressure Gauge
Flow-tester
Retro-Fitting
Using less water is not only good for the environment but good for The Association. Whether it be re-designing your turf grass areas to include more water-friendly plant material or updating your current irrigation system, we have the tools to retro-fit any area. Our qualified technicians will help make an informed decision on how to decrease your environmental footprint and water use. There are many ways you can do this and at Environmental Water Management we are here to show you how.
Our parent company, ECLMI, has made water conservation a priority since inception in 1999. We have given ideas to our customers on how they can save water and money, in the short and long term. Retro-fitting an existing irrigation system is one of the best ways to increase efficiency of the system. There are many different types of retro-fitting we are capable of. A few options are:
SYSTEM RETROFITS
Controllers, Sensors, Stations - a. One of the most common ways to change the way you water is to change the system you water with. Here at ECLMI, we offer a multitude of options when it comes to retro-fitting: From “Smart Controllers" to Flow Sensors we can provide the pieces you are looking for.
To clarify, “Smart Controllers” water automatically based on different input factors. The first input factor is the Weather which is downloaded daily or historically pre-programmed. The other inputs are controlled factors like soil type, plant type, and sprinkler type etc. that are manually programmed into the controller for each station.
We also offer other infrastructure items such as flow sensors and master valves for irrigation systems. These flow Sensors and master valves are placed within designated irrigation lines and work like a paddle, reading how much water is flowing through the system at any given time. These can be very beneficial in the case of a break, being able to quickly find the problem and shutting down the water flow quickly.
Sprinklers - Another way to increase your efficiency is to make sure your sprinklers are performing adequately. Each piece of landscaped area has a specified sprinkler type that it was originally designed with. Spacing, precipitation rate, and head consistency all influence irrigation efficiency. Whether it’s a drip system in a flower bed or an MP Rotator on a slope, a sprinkler head can make all the difference in the world. Here at Environmental Water Management we have the knowledge to recommend the proper sprinkler type and the experience to install it.
LANDSCAPE MATERIAL RETROFIT
Turf Redesign – Another retrofit service we provide is the replacement and redesign of Tall Fescue Turf areas. The common perception is that Turf is the only way to make large pieces of landscape look full and healthy. Here at Environmental Water Management we are working to dispel that notion and have already done so on a number of our properties using drought tolerant material and low water usage irrigation. To help customers make educated decisions on removing Tall Fescue turf grass areas we can use cutting edge technology such as our GIS mapping and a computer program that allows to the customer to see what the area will look like after the change.
Drought Tolerant Plant Material - Turf is certainly not the only material that can be replaced with a more water-wise plant. Shrubs, groundcover, and trees can also be part of the problem when it comes to excess watering. To combat this we have been retro-fitting areas with drought-tolerant, California friendly plants. After consulting with the property manager and walking the property we will make a recommendation of plants that will help lower water costs while keeping the overall look of the property. No I am not talking about just a bunch of cactuses! There are actually many full and colorful plants that are also drought-tolerant. Take a look at our Portfolio page and see for yourself.
GIS SATELLITE MAPPING The maps we provide are a visual tool to give the customer a more detailed description of, among other things, the irrigated landscape area down to the irrigation controller or individual station level. We also have the capability of mapping trees by tree species, which can be of value when setting a water budget. This information will lead to more informed decisions as well as a more confident and competent customer. The more tools we provide the better chance our customers have to save water. Our Mapping and GIS capabilities are yet another implementation of that belief.
A new capability of Environmental Water Management is GIS mapping. GIS stands for Geographic Information Systems and is a tool used by many to map out and label areas of importance. We offer this technology so that our customers have access to every water conservation technology available. GIS technology is a one of a kind tool to showcase items such as irrigation infrastructure location, where landscaping was replaced, names and descriptions of plant materials. We can also map and inventory trees by size and type on a property to help customers budget for water use. The possibilities with this technology truly are endless and we hope you take full advantage of this service.
Agronomics
For anything to reach its fullest potential there has to be a strong foundation. For landscape and agriculture alike, this foundation this starts with the soil. As we say at Environmental Water Management, "Agronomics must meet Economics." Soil Testing is one of the many services we provide to make sure that your landscape or crop is growing in the ideal environment. Our goal is to find out what affect the soil is having on water conservation and the health of your landscape. Soil analysis will provide us with information on key factors, like nutrient and salt levels as well as pH. After analyzing the soil report data, we can provide the customer a detailed recommendation of what can be done to reduce water usage and increase the health of your plant material.
Tools for Water Conservation
Tools for Water Conservation includes Geographic Information Systems, which is a tool used by many to map out and label areas of importance. The reason we created this division is we wanted our customers to have every tool available to them and the ability this program gives us will not only increase our competency but also provide a one of a kind tool to showcase to your clients and board members.
Using this tool will allow our customers to better see things like, when and where landscaping was replaced, how many sprinklers are in a given area, what type of controllers are being used and even names and descriptions of plant and tree materials.
Because we are able to provide one-of-a-kind customized maps the customer is likely to feel more comfortable making important decisions and presenting our findings and recommendations to boards, associations and property managers. The possibilities with this division truly are endless and we hope you take full advantage of this service.
Here are some tools we have provided for you. Among other things there are links to websites, ideas for plant materials and companies that we work with in trying to conserve our water.
