The average Nevadan uses 212 gallons of water per day, compared to the average Californian who uses 340. The overriding reason for this is the unwavering success over the last ten years of the Watersmart landscaping program. By establishing standards of service and quality of work, as well as requiring passing exams and attending ongoing education, the SNWA has galvanized a cadre of educated and motivated landscaping contractors.
Progressive, Comprehensive Water Conservation
Since 1991, the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) has developed and implemented one of the most progressive and comprehensive water conservation programs in the nation.
In the mid-1990s, the SNWA established a goal of 25 percent conservation by 2010, roughly equivalent to reducing water use by about 280 gallons per capita per day. Southern Nevada made consistent progress toward its conservation goal throughout the 1990s. Beginning in 2000, however, levels of conservation began to decline.
This set the stage for development of the SNWA’s Drought Plan, which went into effect in 2003. Following the implementation of the Drought Plan in 2003, conservation and drought savings rebounded and, by 2004, had surpassed the original goal.
Concerned about continuing drought conditions, the SNWA Board of Directors set the bar even higher in 2005, asking the community to reduce its average water use by an additional 20 percent by 2035.
The Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) sponsors the Water Smart Contractors program. SNWA conservation experts conduct water-efficiency training for local landscape contractors. These contractors learn and promote water-saving irrigation and landscape design for homes and businesses.
Contractors in the Program Must:
- Complete at least 8 hours of SNWA water-efficiency training
- Maintain good standing with the Nevada State Contractors Board
- Be licensed and insured
The Water Authority encourages consumers to use the resources of the Nevada State Contractors Board, Better Business Bureau, and Nevada Landscape Association to research potential contractors.
Performance Standards - Water Smart Program Conversion
The Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) requires landscape contractors who enroll in the Water Smart Contractor program to agree to provide the following Water Smart standards to each of its customers:
1. All landscape and irrigation work performed pursuant to a contract will comply with applicable laws and codes in effect at the time of installation.
2. Contractor shall ensure that the terms of the WaterSmart Landscapes Program and the Contractor Participation Agreement are satisfied. Pursuant to Section 9 of the Agreement, Contractor may use subcontractors for performance; however, Contractor shall retain sole and principle responsibility for any work performed by such subcontractors. Further, if Customer elects to perform any of the work independently of Contractor, Contractor shall indicate Customer’s election on the signed contract that Contractor informed Customer of the Program Provisions.
3. Irrigation systems (if properly maintained) can be operated according to the schedule provided by the contractor, without creating flow or spray that leaves the property and without violating local days of the week and time of the day watering restrictions after an approved 30-day water use exemption has expired.
4. Upon request, a Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor (provided as a consultant or have one employed on staff).
5. On all new landscape installations separate control zones (valves) will be used for each type of watering device, and drip emitters will be operated separately from sprinkler heads. (This provision may be waived for landscape retrofits by mutual agreement between Contractor and customer.)
6. Sprinkler heads for turf grass will have a 4” or greater pop-up height. Sprinkler heads will have matched precipitation nozzles.
7. A minimum setback distance of 3 feet will be maintained between spray irrigation and all hardscapes (structures, buildings, walls, sidewalks, public right of ways).
8. Spray irrigated turf areas shall be a minimum of 10 feet wide in every dimension.
9. Drip irrigation systems shall be equipped with a pressure regulator, filter, flush end assembly and any other appropriate components. Components will be located in accessible valve boxes. The system must be free of leaks and malfunctions upon conveyance to the client. Each drip emitter must be rated at 20 gallons per hour (gph) or less. If part of a lawn is converted, the sprinkler system must be properly modified to provide adequate coverage to the remaining lawn without spraying the converted area.
10. Irrigation controllers installed by Contractor shall have, at a minimum, the following features: ? Two or more programs. ? Three start times per program. ? One-minute incremental watering time.
Even/odd day scheduling.
11. A seasonal watering schedule shall be provided for each irrigation zone.
12. An owner’s manual shall be provided for all irrigation controllers installed and for and any other components as necessary.
13. Non-turf areas will include a minimum 2” layer of mulching material. All mulches and surface treatments must be permeable to air and water.
14. A 1-year written limited warranty shall be provided to the customer. (Terms of the warranty are at the discretion of the Contractor).
15. All maintenance contracts must contain the following provisions:
- Frequency of routine checks for proper function of irrigation equipment.
- Provision for repair of damaged components resulting in waste of water within 24 hours after being made aware of problem.
- Frequency of maintenance of drip irrigation components, including flushing of lines and filters.
- Programming of irrigation clock to meet plant needs and comply with mandatory watering restrictions.
- Contractor’s policy regarding water waste violations and fees incurred to the client. This policy should clearly define the circumstances, if any, where the contractor will accept financial responsibility for violations caused by the contractor’s actions.
Landscaping - WaterSmart Systems