Resources

United States Environmental Protection Agency

“WaterSense Program”
The EPA WaterSense program goals are to use water resources more
efficiently to preserve them for future generations and reduce water and
wastewater infrastructure costs by reducing unnecessary water
consumption. Through this program, EPA will provide reliable information
on high-performance, water -efficient products and practices, raise awareness about the importance of water efficiency, ensure water-efficient product performance, help consumers differentiate among products and programs designed to use less water, promote innovation in product development, and support state and local water efficiency efforts.

Since January 1, 2008, the QWEL training has been a recognized EPA WaterSense program Irrigation Auditor Training Program.

California State Law

A.B. 2717 (2004)
This bill, which passed into law, requires the California Urban Water Conservation Council to convene a stakeholder workgroup composed of public and private agencies, and associations to evaluate and recommend proposals for improving the efficiency of water use in new and existing urban irrigated landscapes.

Water Conservation in Landscaping Act of 1990 (A.B. 325)
This legislation instructed the California Department of Water Resources to develop a model water efficient landscape ordinance (see below).

Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance
Developed by the CDWR as per the Water Conservation in Landscaping Act of 1990 (see above). Cities and counties could adopt the Model Ordinance, adopt their own ordinance, or issue findings that no ordinance was necessary. If no action was taken, the Model Ordinance automatically went into effect.

California Water Code
The complete Water Code available on the California State Legislature website.

Urban Water Management Planning
The part of the California Water Code which requires all urban water suppliers in California to develop water management plans (includes the Urban Water Management Planning Act).

These plans must address 14 demand management measures (DMMs)(Division 6, Chapters 1-4 of the Water Code).

Demand Management Measures (DMMs)
The 14 DMMs from the Urban Water Management Planning Act.

California Department of Water Resources Information

California Department of Water Resources (DWR)
The home page of the California Department of Water Resources. Its mission is to “manage the water resources of California in cooperation with other agencies, to benefit the State’s people, and to protect, restore, and enhance the natural and human environments.”

California Irrigation Management and Information System (CIMIS)
CIMIS helps agricultural growers and turf managers administering parks, golf courses and other landscapes to develop water budgets for determining when to irrigate and how much water to apply.

CIMIS Reference Evapotranspiration
Color map of the 18 ETo zones in California and a table of monthly (and annual) average reference evapotranspiration by ETo zone (inches/month).

Office of Water Use Efficiency
The Office of Water Use Efficiency (OWUE) provides support for the stewardship of California’s water resources and energy efficient use of water. The office is responsible for water use efficiency planning and coordination. Their services include technical and financial assistance, information collection and dissemination, resources evaluation, and implementation.

WUCOLS: Water Use Classification of Landscape Species
This guide provides irrigation water needs evaluations for over 1,900 species used in California landscapes. It was developed to provide guidance in the selection and maintenance of plants based on irrigation water needs.

Landscape Water Use Program
The role of the program is to collect and maintain data related to landscape acreage and water use; promote water budget irrigation scheduling for landscapes; develop GIS products for the web to help promote landscape water use efficiency; coordinate with CUWCC to support BMP 5; and develop water efficient landscape projects in cooperation with local, State, and federal agencies.

California Urban Water Conservation Council Information

Memorandum of Understanding Regarding Urban Water Conservation in California
The formal basis for the CUWCC. The MOU contains 14 Best Management Practices (BMPs) including several that involve landscape irrigation conservation.

H2O House – Water Saver Home
A user-friendly guide to water conservation measures in the home.

CUWCC Publications
A searchable database of publications available through the CUWCC such as
BMP 5: A Guide to Implementing Large Landscape Conservation Programs.

Other California Government and Related Agencies

California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB)
The State Board’s mission is to preserve, enhance and restore the quality of California’s water resources, and ensure their proper allocation and efficient use for the benefit of present and future generations.

Regional Water Quality Control Boards (RWQCB)
Together with the SWRCB, the RWQCBs have primary responsibility for managing water quality in California. Under SWRCB oversight, each of the nine RWQCBs are responsible for enforcing state laws and regulations in their region.

California Urban Water Agencies (CUWA)
A non-profit corporation formed in 1990 with a mission to provide a forum for combining the expertise and resources of its member agencies to study and promote the need for a reliable, high quality water supply for the states current and future urban water needs.

Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA)
A coalition of nearly 450 public water agencies collectively responsible for 90% of the water delivered to cities, farms and businesses in California. Its primary mission is to promote the development, management and reasonable beneficial use of water in an environmentally balanced manner.

Other Regional or National Associations / Organizations

American Society of Irrigation Consultants
The American Society of Irrigation Consultants (ASIC) is an organization of professionals within the irrigation industry. Founded in 1970 to provide a forum wherein irrigation design professionals can meet to exchange information and advance skills and techniques in irrigation design, installation and product application.

American Water Works Association
The American Water Works Association (AWWA) is an international nonprofit scientific and educational society dedicated to the improvement of drinking water quality and supply.

The Irrigation Association
The mission of The Irrigation Association, a non-profit, North American organization, is to improve the products and practices used to manage water resources and to help shape the worldwide business environment of the irrigation industry. The Irrigation Association’s interest in water resources encompasses the application conservation, drainage, improvement and recovery of water for economic and environmental enhancement in agriculture, turf grass, landscape and forestry.

Water-related Information at Universities

Center for Irrigation Technology (CIT)
An independent testing laboratory, applied research facility, and educational resource center based at Cal State Fresno dedicated to advancing water management practices and irrigation technology.

Irrigation Training and Research Center (ITRC)
Established in 1989 at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. The first commitment of the ITRC, which is housed in the BioResource and Agricultural Engineering Department, is to enhance the strong irrigation teaching program at Cal Poly through outside activities in training and research.

Cooperative Extension, Environmental Sciences Department
Website for the UC Cooperative Extension Program in the Environmental Sciences Department, UC Riverside.

PesticideWise
PesticideWise searches through a comprehensive EPA database and presents critical information on a pesticide’s properties and water quality risks.

UC Websites

UC Integrated Pest Management Program
This site has a wide variety of information including how to manage pests, pesticide education information, extensive pesticide databases, and information about UC IPM funded research projects.

California Master Gardeners Network
Master Gardeners are trained volunteers with the UC Cooperative Extension program. They extend the ability of local UCCE offices to provide practical scientific horticulture and gardening information to the citizens of California.

Master Gardeners Online
The objectives of this volunteer organization are to support the educational activities of UC Cooperative Extension and to cooperate for scientific and educational purposes, promoting horticultural education and service to the community and provide continuing horticulture enrichment for members.

Professional Societies / Associations / Organizations

California Association of Nurseries and Garden Centers (CANGC)
The California Association of Nurseries and GardenCenters is a professional organization dedicated to the promotion and advancement of the nursery industry for its members and the public it serves.

California Landscape Contractors Association (CLCA)
A non-profit trade organization of state licensed landscape and landscape-related limited specialty contractors. CLCA serves the interests of its members, promotes professionalism, and advances awareness of the landscape industry.

California Ornamental Research Federation (CORF)
The mission of the California Ornamental Research Federation (CORF) is to identify the research and educational needs of the California floriculture industry and to meet those needs by offering educational programs conducted in partnership with growers, floriculture associations, the allied trade industry and research/educators.

Pesticide Applicators Professional Association (PAPA)
A California non-profit, public benefit corporation which is dedicated to providing Continuing Education and to the implementation of safe and effective pest control techniques.

Green Associations Water Conservation Council
Coalition of the Associated Landscape Contractors of America, American Nursery and Landscape Association, The Irrigation Association and Turfgrass Producers International.