QWEL (English) - County of Santa Barbara, CA - In Person

The QWEL training will be taught in English and facilitated in-person by one of our highly rated QWEL certified instructors and is available to landscape professionals conducting work in the County of Santa Barbara.

Course fee: $30/person. Check your email for the secure payment link after you register for the class. 

Space is limited. Registration closes on 01/28/2026 or when class is full.

The in-person classes will cover all sections of the QWEL reference manual. This includes topics on:

• Sustainable landscape design principles,
• Soil properties and health,
• Plant water needs,
• Overhead spray irrigation system audits,
• Irrigation system troubleshooting and maintenance, and
• Irrigation system programming and operation.

A free PDF copy of the QWEL Reference Manual may be downloaded here.

In order to obtain QWEL certification, individuals must complete an irrigation audit (covered in class) and pass the QWEL exam. The QWEL exam will be administered in-person on February 26, 2026.

Additional details will be provided prior to the class after you register. 

Those who earn their QWEL certification will be listed as a Certified Professional on the QWEL and U.S. EPA WaterSense websites.

SCHEDULE DETAILS

By registering for this class, you are committing to attend all of the following sessions:

• Thursday, February 05, 2026, from 7:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
• Thursday, February 12, 2026, from 7:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
• Thursday, February 19, 2026, from 7:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
• Exam Day: Thursday, February 26, 2026, from 7:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Lunch will be provided by the County of Santa Barbara.

PRESENTER: Gabriel Michael 

Gabriel started his career as an irrigation technician, designing, constructing, repairing, and maintaining
sophisticated irrigation systems. His passion for environmental studies drove him to focus on water use efficiency.
After obtaining multiple nationally recognized certifications, Gabriel became an irrigation auditor, helping
homeowners and commercial property owners identify ways they could save water. Gabriel has conducted over
2,000 residential irrigation audits and over 200 commercial, industrial, and institutional water use evaluations.

Location: Santa Barbara City College - Wake Campus
300 North Turnpike Road
Santa Barbara, CA 93109
View in Google Maps

Presenter: Gabriel Michael

When:

Thursday, February 5th, 2026 7:30 am-2:00 pm - Location: Santa Barbara City College - Wake Campus

Thursday, February 12th, 2026 7:30 am-2:00 pm - Location: Santa Barbara City College - Wake Campus

Thursday, February 19th, 2026 7:30 am-2:00 pm - Location: Santa Barbara City College - Wake Campus

Thursday, February 26th, 2026 7:30 am-11:00 am - Location: Santa Barbara City College - Wake Campus

Registration Closes: 01/28/2026

Sponsored by: California Water Efficiency Partnership

For more information, contact: