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• Blend In: While not all HOAs may be ready to fully transition to native plants, incorporating a mix of low-water-use plants can still achieve a modern and water-efficient landscape design that suits the community’s preferences.
• Mulch Matters: Applying organic mulch helps retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, enhance aesthetics, and regulate soil temperature. Additionally, as mulch breaks down, it enriches the soil, promoting healthier plant growth.
• Smart Irrigation: Installing drip irrigation systems or high- efficiency nozzles ensures water is delivered precisely where it’s needed, minimizing waste and reducing overall water consumption.
• Leverage Technology: Smart irrigation timers offer efficient water management, but it’s crucial to input accurate data for optimal results. Additionally, while technology aids in irrigation, traditional tools like soil probes remain invaluable for assessing moisture levels accurately.
• Zone Accordingly: Grouping plants with similar water needs together optimizes water usage efficiency and prevents overwatering. Separating turf and shrubs onto separate watering systems ensures each receives the appropriate amount of water without waste.
• Turf Reduction: Turf is one of the top two most emotional assets in a landscape (the other is trees). Homeowners often exclaim, “I moved in here for the grass, I don’t want a desert!” We all love healthy turf and now it is being restricted to functional uses. Before we get too upset, walk around your community and ask yourself this question: “Are the only people who use the grass around here the people mowing it?” If that is the case, those areas might be determined to be nonfunctional turf and your community should begin planning for transition. AB 1572 makes permanent current restrictions on the use of potable water on nonfunctional turf.
• Plant Trees: Trees offer a wide variety of benefits to the landscape. When removing nonfunctional turf, the addition of trees will offset the heat island effect created by the new landscape. Turf cools a community and trees do the same.
Adding canopy overage in turf removal areas will go a long way with homeowners during turf conversion. Added benefit; more wildlife!
WHAT ABOUT RECYCLED WATER?
Recycled water has emerged as an increasingly sought- after water source
for landscape irrigation, particularly as California grapples with persistent drought conditions. 18 September | October 2024
Over the past three decades, water agencies have expanded the availability of recycled water to commercial users, bolstering their infrastructure and storage capacity to meet growing demand. But what exactly is recycled water, and why should it be considered for landscape use?
Recycled water, depending on your local water agency, is heralded as the preferred method for irrigating commercial and municipal landscapes, as well as agricultural areas.
It
originates from sewage water collected and directed to sewage treatment plants scattered across our communities. At these facilities, the water undergoes a series of filtration stages: initially removing large solids, followed by finer particles, effectively eliminating around 90-95% of the solids. A final treatment phase further filters out remaining impurities while the water is treated with chlorine and other disinfectants to eradicate pathogens such as bacteria and viruses. In some instances, ultraviolet filters are also employed to ensure the water is as pathogen-free as possible.
Transitioning from potable water systems to non-potable systems is a complex endeavor. The initial question that must be addressed is whether your local water agency possesses the necessary infrastructure to supply non-potable water to your location. While many areas boast both potable and non- potable pipelines woven throughout their communities, there are still numerous regions lacking such infrastructure.
While recycled water offers numerous benefits for landscape irrigation, there are also several downsides to consider:
• Quality Concerns: Despite extensive treatment processes, recycled water may still contain trace amounts of contaminants. While these levels are typically within regulatory limits for non-potable use, there may still be concerns about potential health risks or impacts on soil and plant health.
• Corrosion Potential: Recycled water often has higher levels of salts and dissolved solids compared to fresh water sources. Over time, these minerals can accumulate in irrigation equipment and soil, leading to increased corrosion of pipes, valves, and irrigation components. This can result in higher maintenance costs and reduced system longevity.
• Regulatory Constraints: Depending on local regulations and ordinances, there may be restrictions on the use of recycled water for certain types of landscaping, such as edible gardens or public parks. These limitations can impact the flexibility and suitability of recycled water for various landscaping applications.
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