Since 1994, the Santa Clara Valley Water District has been helping landscape managers improve their irrigation efficiency. Through the innovative Landscape Survey Program, surveyors perform FREE evaluations to assist property owners better manage their water use. Landscape surveys have shown a potential savings of up to $1,000 per acre of landscape.
Who is eligible to participate?
The Landscape Survey Program is available to any Santa Clara County business owner, institution, or property manager who would like to improve the efficiency of their irrigation system and that has 5,000 sq ft or more of irrigated landscape.
What are the components of the Landscape Survey Program evaluation?
Surveyors from the Landscape Survey Program evaluate the entire water delivery system and point out inefficiencies that can add up to significant water losses. Catch-can tests are used to determine the average precipitation rate and distribution uniformity, which helps the site manager understand system performance and leads to more efficient irrigation scheduling strategies.
Surveyors classify plant groups into hydrozones to estimate each site’s actual water need. This results in the optimum water budget, which is compared with past use to determine possible water and cost savings.
- Site specific recommendations and scheduling
Surveyors provide recommendations for improving system efficiency including upgrading irrigation hardware as well as providing a suggested yearly watering schedule.
The site’s property manager/owner will receive a report that evaluates the existing irrigation system and landscape water management. The report also includes a summary of the irrigation system check, irrigation budget, recommended schedule, and irrigation efficiency improvement recommendations.
- Qualifying your site for rebates
Participants of the Landscape Survey Program may be eligible to receive rebates through the Landscape Rebate Program. This program provides rebates for replacing qualifying high water using landscape with low-water using plants and for upgrading to high efficiency irrigation equipment including:
- Weather-based irrigation controllers
- Rotating nozzles
- Rain sensors
- Dedicated landscape meters
- Rotary sprinklers with pressure regulation and/or check valves
How do you schedule a survey?
Surveys are available Monday through Saturday at your convenience. To request a Landscape Survey Program application, please contact Global Sun Landscape at (408) 239-4655 or click here to submit an online Landscape Survey request.
How long is the program offered?
The program will end on June 30, 2012 or when funds are depleted; whichever comes first.
Looking for a landscape contractor?
Visit the California Landscape Contractors Association’s Certification Program to learn about certified landscape contractors or click here to view a list of CLCA certified landscape contractors. You can also contact the Santa Clara Valley Green Gardener Program at www.mywatershedwatch.org/greengardener.html.
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