The Communicator - Volume 1, Issue 3 - (Page 23)

1. The contractor shall irrigate no more than x% of the water budget provided by CCWD. (% to be set after irrigation system survey is conducted by CCWD to evaluate irrigation system performance.) 2. Contractor shall read the dedicated water meters twice monthly to verify watering is within the water budget limits. 3. Contractor shall provide the owner with proof that the watering is within the water budget limit each month. If it is not, an explanation shall be provided. Contra Costa Water District can explain to the contractor how to do this. 4. Contractor shall utilize the following scheduling techniques to maximize water efficiency and plant health: • Make frequent scheduling adjustments to reflect weather changes. • Use multiple repeat cycles to eliminate runoff, maximize infiltration and maximize rooting depth. This is required in clay soils. • Use multiple programs for different plants and microclimates. • Watering window to occur no later than 7:00 a.m. • Schedule to provide deep, infrequent watering to encourage deep root systems. This will result in healthy, strong plants and lawns. C. IRRIGATION MONITORING The goal of monitoring the irrigation system is to identify problems and make repairs in a timely manner. This will result in less property damage, improved landscape quality and less complaints. 1. On a regular basis, the contractor shall monitor plant health to deter- mine if the irrigation schedule is appropriate. Soil moisture within plant root zones can be checked using a soil probe or shovel. 2. At least monthly during the watering season, the Contractor shall manually activate each irrigation station and shall look for problems. Problems identified shall be repaired within one week. 3. Contractor shall read and record water meter readings twice monthly and compare water usage to the water budget. D. IRRIGATION SYSTEM MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR Irrigation problems will naturally occur due to usage, vandalism and wear and tear. The goal of the Irrigation System Maintenance and Repair is to reduce the length of time that irrigation problems occur. This will result in less property damage, improved landscape quality and less complaints. 1. Contractor shall maintain the irrigation system for optimum performance, as per manufacturer’s specifications. The following situations shall be repaired within one week: • Sprinklers shall not be sunken, bent, or broken. • Sprinkler nozzles spray properly and are not clogged. • Sprinklers shall spray unobstructed for at least five feet distance. • Sprinklers shall not spray onto buildings, walls or fences. • Sprinklers shall not spray more than one foot onto adjacent pavement. • Bubblers and drip flow rates shall be uniform within each valve. • Remote control valves shall work properly and not stick on or off. • Proper pressure shall be maintained at each sprinkler to eliminate misting. • Drip system pressure regulation shall be maintained to eliminate blown drip emitters. • Irrigation Controller shall have a charged battery back up at all times. 2. All irrigation replacement parts shall be of the same manufacturer, type, and application rates as existing, or approved equals or upgrades. 3. Once a year, at a minimum, the Contractor shall: • Ensure all flush valve/cap locations are visible on drip systems. • Ensure valve boxes are visible and can be opened and valves are not covered by soil or debris. • Inspect valves, filters, automatic flush valves and pressure regulators for damage or leaks. Check wire splices. • Flush drip systems and clean drip filters. • Verify plants irrigated by drip have adequate number of emitters. Note, as plants grow, additional emitters may be required. • Test backflow preventer if not tested by local water utility. 4. Contractor shall maintain and submit monthly documentation of irrigation checks and as built plans of any changes or adjustments to the system. Bob Eagle is a Landscape Water Conservation Specialist with the Contra Costa Water District. He can be reached at (925) 688-8321, beagle@ccwater.com or www.ccwater.com. CA CM CERTIFIED MANAGEMENT FIRM Association ons, Inc. Communicatin Management Homeowner Assoc iatio JAMES ERNST ACCOUNTING Caroline McCormick 1460 Washington Blvd. Suite A203 Concord, CA 94521 (925) 672-2221 ext. 226 Fax (925) 672-4224 caroline@acihoa.com JAMES H. ERNST CPA, MS-Tax, CCAM jim@ernst-cpa.com 120 STONY POINT ROAD • SUITE 150 • SANTA ROSA • CA 95401-4163 707.576.7070 • WWW.Ernst-CPA.com • fax 707.576.0109 The Communicator • 23 http://www.ccwater.com http://www.acihoa.com/ http://www.ernst-cpa.com/

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of The Communicator - Volume 1, Issue 3

The Communicator - Volume 1, Issue 3 Contents President's Message Eyes in the Sky Down to the Last Drop Ask the Experts - Budget Your Water Usage 2008 Events & Educational Calendar Welcome to CAI BayCen Index to Advertisers

The Communicator - Volume 1, Issue 3

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