TO HOW GET ALONG WITH YOUR FRIENDLY Katharine Jacobs Arizona Department Tuscon, Arizona
REGULATOR
of Water Resources
Arizona's water conservation program for turf facilities has received nationwide attention because of its comprehensive and enforceable nature. The program is also recognized for its emphasis on water use efficiency, rather than on percent reductions emphasized elsewhere. In addition, the regulatory statewide structure is aimed toward a long-term goal of groundwater management, in contrast to emergency drought response measures. However, the program is very controversial within Arizona, in part because of the misunderstandings about the process used to develop it. Significant resources have been spent trying to challenge the regulations; if the industry's same effort had been put into the early stages of data collection and program design, the outcome would have been more beneficial for all. Adversarial relationships between regulators and the regulated public can be avoided with a few key and timely efforts by both parties. It is possible to design a win-win situation or, at least, minimize costs and misunderstandings if industry representatives become personally involved in the process while rules, guidelines or legislation are still in the formative stages. Too often, industry representatives do not become actively involved in the regulatory process until after the process has passed its most flexible stages. Waiting until the public hearing or after adoption of the program to point out the inequities or testify against the program, frustrates the "bureaucrats" who may have tried very hard to design a program that is eqParticipation early in the game uitable and efficient. has major payoffs for both the regulators and the industry. There are many variables or data gaps that affect the clarity of the regulatory process. Certainly the setting of water quality standards is a good example of this. In designing Arizona's programs, even the most basic information about acres of turf, acres of lakes, and amount of water used on an annual basis have been the subject of much debate. Disagreements about this very basic information make designing a sophisticated and sensitive regulation almost impossible.
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In our turf management program in Arizona, it has become very obvious that doing a good job as a manager means far more than having a beautifully manicured facility. Keeping good records on all aspects of facility management has put some superintendents in the driver's seat in the regulatory process, because they can back up their point of view with factual evidence. The do's and don'ts of participating in the regulatory process are discussed in the presentation.
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HELPING
GOOD WATER MANAGERS
BECOME EVEN BETTER
Marsha Prillwitz California Department of Water Resources Sacramento, California Golf course managers are some of the best irrigators around. They realize that: efficient irrigation practices can improve playing conditions; saturated soils are more readily compacted by cart and mower traffic; turf is less susceptible to diseases associated with high moisture conditions when irrigations are carefully scheduled; and effective water management can reduce operational costs due to saving water and energy associated with pumping the water. How you can become even better water ducting landscape irrigation audits will become increasingly important, ture water supply, are discussed in managers by conand why such actions considering our futhis presentation.
What is a landscape irrigation audit? Many of the steps included in conducting an audit are part of your everyday operations, such as checking your equipment for malfunctions. The method the California Department of Water Resources developed provides a systematic approach to evaluating individual irrigation systems and water management practices; scheduling irrigations; and documenting water usage. There are three phases ~o the audit process: site selection, field work and follow-up. During the site selection phase, irrigated acreage and past water consumption data are used to estimate potential water and cost savings and to choose the sites which could benefit most from improved schedules. The fieldwork phase starts with an inspection of the irrigation system. Repairs to the system are made if necessary. The auditor then tests the irrigation system to determine how fast and how evenly water is being apPrecipitation rate and system uniformity are plied. calculated by measuring the amount of water caught in "catch devices" during a prescribed time. We use conical graduated cylinders to catch and measure the water. These performance measures are used to calculate an irrigation schedule for each station on each controller at the site. Next, the auditor enters the test data into the computer. The software assembles the field data, combines it with weather and water requirement data stored in the program and calculates an irrigation schedule for each station at the site. Irrigation times and days per week
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recommendations are provided for each station for each month of the year. The program also estimates the total water requirements for a site which can be compared to the actual water usage at the site. During the follow-up phase, the auditor provides a summary report to the site manager. Periodical follow-up visits are set up to monitor the irrigation schedule and performance. An example of water and cost savings from an audit of a 43 acre golf course in California is shown below: Pre audit water use: Post audit water use: Water saved: Value of water saved: 27,878 ccf X $0.71 = Cost of audits: 43 acres X $216/acre Net savings: $19,793 - 9288
=
69,260 ccf 41,382 ccf 24,878 ccf
44.4 inches/year 26.6 inches/year 17.9 inches/year
$19,793 $ 9,288 $10,505
=
It is possible for individuals, such as golf course superintendents, to become landscape irrigation auditors. The California Department of Water Resources offers two-day training sessions for interested individuals. Most of the class time is spent conducting two audits in the field and then generating irrigation schedules on the computer. Additional follow up assistance is provided by the department upon request. Landscape Irrigation Auditors (formerly called "Master AUditors") can now gain professional certification from the Irrigation Association. This national organization tests applicants regarding their knowledge of irrigation system evaluations and scheduling and checks their level of experience through the certification process. As our water supply becomes more limited, increased pressure will be placed upon all water managers to irrigate more efficiently. In California, we are entering The rest of the country is the fifth year of a drought. also suffering from drought conditions, with 40 percent of the united states experiencing dry times. The united states Army Corp of Engineers estimates that it will take six years of normal rainfall to restore the nation's underground aquifers, wells and reservoirs.
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In the coming years, California and most of the rest of the nation will experience greater challenges to meet growing water demands due to a burgeoning population. In California the population is expected to increase from the 13 million people calculated in 1980 to a total of 39.4 million by 2010. Not only will there be more people using more water, as large scale development moves farther away from the cool coast, the per capita water use will become substanconsidering the projected increase in tially higher. population and per capita water use, our department estimates that we will need 1.4 million acre feet more water annually by 2010. Meeting the water needs into the next century will involve a diverse range of water management approaches. Since conventional reservoir development opportunities are becoming increasingly limited, emphasis is now shifting to water conservation, water banking, water transfers, water sharing and water reclamation. In the not too distant future, communities will begin to see restrictions on ground water pumping and cut backs on the use of surface water. Golf courses managers can be one step ahead of the game by conducting landscape irrigation audits today and using reclaimed water for irrigation. The landscape irrigation audit will provide you with a complete inventory of your irrigation equipment and landscaped acreage; help you approximate how much water in inches per acre you will need to sustain a healthy course; determine which areas might survive temporary cutbacks; and justify a reasonable amount of water for the long term water of management your course. In summary; conducting landscape irrigation audits can The rewards help good irrigators become even better. include better playing conditions, reduced water and energy expenditures and better knowledge of the water needs of your own golf course. For more information about training, re?ource materials (Landscape Water Management Handbook) and our irrigation scheduling software, contact me at [phone].
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DEVELOPING
A PLAN TO REDUCE WATER USAGE
Ron Pecoff Pecoff Brothers Nursery Escondido, California Pecoff Brothers Nursery can sum up the concept in which we reduce water usage on golf courses and throughout the landscape in two words, "appropriate vegetation." The landscape industry, like any other business, must budget resources. Water, like cash, is a precious resource which is scarce and valuable. We do not take money from our pockets and throw it in the wind. Yet, in essence, we do so with water. Why? The answer to this question is simply that people don't know any better. Hence, it is our job, as horticulturists and nurserymen, to advise our clients and the general public on, and supply, the appropriate vegetation to reduce water usage. The tendency of the industry is to reduce water use by modifying existing irrigation systems, primarily by changing out heads, timers, emitters, etc. However, at the end of the day, it is the vegetation type, with its particular water requirements and wilt point, that dictates water consumption. CASE EXAMPLE: One of our golf course clients who was in the third year of a reported ten-year drought cycle, had reached an unbelievable $664.00jacre foot in water costs. The superintendent was having to irrigate seven days a week just to keep the course alive. Due to high water costs, he was unable to water for long periods of time which would allow for a deeper penetration of salts. This surface watering was causing roots to come to the surface and subjecting the turfgrass to increased salts concentrations, higher evaporation rates and drought stress. Our client recognized that to keep paying customers, they would have to increase the quality of the course. The obvious way to provide a green, manicured course was to increase irrigation, however, this was an expensive approach. After studying their budget, they found that there was no way they could afford to increase water use on the greens and fairways without increasing the greens fee, so an alternative plan was necessary. The alternative was to reduce the irrigation area and The superindistribute the water to more vital areas. tendent elected to reduce irrigation in the out-of-play
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areas. This was accomplished by removing the water suming grasses in these locations and utilizing appropriate drought tolerant vegetation.
con-
The results were dramatic. The new vegetation had an aesthetic appearance of a spreading or horizontal, dense cover that also provided flower color throughout the year. It also consumed 80 percent less water to sustain growth! This 80 percent water savings allowed the client to distribute the remaining water to his greens and fairways, while creating an attractive out-of-play area. The use of an appropriate vegetative not only saved water, but allowed them t~ increase the playability of their course. There are appropriate vegetative types that can reduce water use in almost any ecosystem and climactic zone; and provide any plant character, shape or size to perform the required horticultural function. One can choose from shrubs, trees, sub-shrubs, ground covers, annuals, perennials, evergreens and deciduous species and even new alternative grass forms. For those who are designing new courses, it is imperative that in the planning stage you anticipate and budget for your water needs and select the appropriate turf types that coincide with available water, climatic zones and the physical conditions of the site. When designing the out-of-play areas, consider alternative vegetative types and drought resistant species. When appropriate vegetation is an integral part of your development plan, you will maximize the efficiency and aesthetics of your project.
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METHODS Marc Snyder The Boulders Carefree, Arizona
FOR COMPLYING
WITH WATER ALLOTMENTS
The key to effective water conservation in turfgrass facilities is to irrigate the grass with sufficient water to maintain a quality surface while not wasting water. The amount Turfgrasses must take water from the soil. of water which must be present in the soil for efficient rate turfgrass growth is called the evapotranspiration
(ET)
We have all heard and know what ET is. In trying to conserve water and comply with a water allocation, I have a different approach to ET. ET means Education and Testing. EDUCATION:
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Know the laws and regulations. Attend seminars. Educate your crew and upper management. Know what resources are available through salespeople and trade journals. Thoroughly understand your irrigation system, including the pump station. Seek to learn more about turf varieties and plant species for low water use.> YOUR EDUCATION TO WORK THROUGH:
TESTING--PUT
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Irrigation technology. Irrig...