Identifying your landscape maintenance contractor's qualifications is the second step in improving your water management program. Many homeowners associations and property managers incorrectly believe that all landscape contractors are qualified water and irrigation specialists. A contractors license, category c-27, does not guarantee the holder is trained in irrigation auditing or water management. To protect your association, insure that your landscape contractor has been certified as a water auditor, or an irrigation technician, by the California Landscape Contractors Association (CLCA). If your landscape contractor has not been certified by CLCA, ask for transcripts and certificates from classes and seminars he/she has attended.

Your newly hired landscape contractor will, in most cases, perform the initial inspection of your irrigation system as part of the maintenance contract. The landscape contractor will also advise the board about ways to save water and how to implement a water savings plan at your association.

The initial inspection may require that more than 50 percent of the sprinklers be adjusted. Minor adjustments to the irrigation system are usually included as part of regular maintenance; however, to avoid intteruption of the maintenance

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uring times of hot weather and drought, water management sudenly becomes a priority, or worse, a crisis. Good communication among the board of directors, the property manager and the landscape contractor is essential for all landscape-related activities; however, the water management program deserves special attention. the establishment of good communication begins with the board of directors, which should identify desired qualifications of the landscape contractor, establish budgets for irrigation repairs/upgrades, and establish irrigation-emergency plan of action. The clear communication of the board's expectations can minimize problems and improve your water management program

Educate your team about water management
In order to improve your water management program the board and property manager must become educated about irrigation and water management. Aspects of irrigation system management, maintenance, repairs and scheduling are very complex. One of the ways boards are becoming educated is by hiring a consultant, who is usually a landscape arcitect or irrigation specialist. The consultant becomes an integral part of the team, enhancing communication among team members. He/she serves as an educator, not only for irrigation management but for correct horticultural practices and designs as well. In the last six months, we have bid three projects for which a consultant is advising the board.

A wealth of education and new publications are coming from the Mission Resource Conservation District, which runs the large Turf Water Audit Program in North County. Don Shultz has put together many informational brochures dealing specifically with HOA water management problems and solutions. For more information about Don's education material, call him at (619) 728-1332.

Develop a long-term plan
Your water managemnt program requires the establishment of long-term plans, which will prevent delays and unnecessary loss/damage to the landscape. The majority of HOAs have no long-term plans in place. Develop a plan reguardless of your associations age. The long-term plans should include a budget for repairs and upgrades of the irrigation system. I estimate that your yearly irrigation water budget is probably equal to your yearly landscape maintenance budget; however, no money has been put aside for repairs and upgrades to the irrigation system. A lack of funds to correct irrigation problems will create severe problems for your association in the future.

Take immediate action to correct any deficiencies in your current irrigation system. Establish budgets and become educated about water management, then hire a qualified landscape contractor to inspect and correct any problems in your irrigation system.

Find the right contractors for the job
A carefully planned and monitored water management program is reliant partly on the cooperation of the board and the property manager, but the

Here are some water management tips so you can begin to monitor your association's water management program immediately.

*Communication from your contractor should be generated on a monthly basis via an irrigation report (include this in your specifications).

*Major irrigation problems should be communicated immediately to the property manager. To ensure minimal loses in the landscape, approval to correct irrigation problems should be granted immediately.

*Your irrigation schedule, once "fine tuned," should be adjusated semi-monthly (at a minimum) from data obtained from the California Irrigation Management Information System (CIMIS) weather stations. CIMIS information accurately reflects weather changes in your area (include use of CIMIS in your specifications as well).

*Your contractor should inspect the irrigation system monthly (at a minimum). The inspection must be completed by physically observing coverage patterns, nozzle blockage, leaks and breaks.

*Small landscape areas have a large number of sprinklers per acre. Leakage from just a small percentage can lead to a significant amount of water loss. Breaks and small leaks should be repaired promptly. Ensure the correct sprinkler is used when replacemnts are made. Many older HOA's have inefficient systems do to years of incorrect sprinkler replacemnts.

*Many landscape maintenance contractors have irrigation and water managment technical experts on staff. If your existing landscape contrator is qualified, ask for many-seminars for board members.

Instead of viewing the board, management company and landscape contractor as separate entities, try viewing the three groups as one team. After all, we are all working for a common goal. Becoming a team is the first and most important step in improving your water management program.