Water bills are confusing and challenging for consumers to understand and due to much needed, but more intricate water price structures they get more complicated every day. Ask someone what’s the price of a gallon a gas and they respond in a few seconds and are relatively close to the exact amount they would pay at their local gas station. Ask the same person how much they are paying for a gallon of water and… Read more »
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CategoriesBeginners Guide: 1/4 Inch Distribution Tubing For Drip Irrigation
1/4 Inch Distribution Tubing For Drip IrrigationThe most creative landscapes and irrigation designers I know are drawn to drip and micro-irrigation because of the flexibility it provides to create beautiful water-efficient landscapes. There is a multitude of “right” ways to irrigate with drip and micro-irrigation. This creates opportunities for creativity when designing drip irrigation. When selecting ¼” distribution tubing (also referred to as spaghetti tubing) there is not a lot of decision making involved. You… Read more »
Solar And Desal – A Winning Combination For Jain and MIT
Jain and MIT Win Desal Prize
When I learned a team of scientist’s from MIT and Jain Irrigation Systems Limited were getting together to use solar and desal together my comfort level for solving our water issues worldwide increased dramatically. Last week a competition was held by USAID and the Bureau of Reclamation to see which team could develop the best desal system for crops… Read more »
5 Edible Plants We Love For Front Yard Gardens
Edible plants are a good answer for the shouts and cries for change in front yard landscapes. Every day the shouts grow louder to grow food not grass in California. I have written articles on how to kill your grass or how to paint your lawn green if it has gone brown. This article focuses on five edible plants to… Read more »
The Ripple Effect Of The California Drought
People all over the United States are quickly waking up to the fact the California drought impacts the entire nation. Governor Jerry Brown last week imposed mandatory water restrictions across the state. The reason – the state’s four-year drought. The drought in California has lasted much longer than 4 years. The current drought really started in 2007. We had one season of decent rainfall November 2010 to March 2011… Read more »
Smart Strategies For Watering Trees In Turf
Watering Trees in Turf Creates a Water Management Opportunity
Properly watering trees in turf will make the difference between the success or failure of one of the biggest investments in your landscape. Trees are expensive to buy, and expensive to plant. If a mature tree dies on your property it will take years to replace the aesthetic value. Turf is typically watered with spray heads not designed to provide deep watering. Trees require deep watering. Watering… Read more »
How to Save Water in Landscapes in 10 Easy Steps
Now more than ever there is a need to save water in landscapes. Making some simple inexpensive changes to improve the way you water your landscape will save water and save money too. Here are some easy steps you can take today: Set your controller to water early in the morning right before dawn. It reduces losses to wind and evaporation and saves water in landscapes. Water only when needed – Read more »
My Favorite Resources For Drought Tolerant Plants
As demand for water increases and water becomes more expensive drought tolerant plants have greater importance in landscapes. This means change for many landscapers. It also provides the opportunity to design and create beautiful outdoor spaces that use less water. Below are several resources for drought tolerant plants to help you create and maintain beautiful water-wise landscapes.
University of California Cooperative Extension
If you are interested in the benefits of drought-tolerant plants as well as… Read more »
Bluetech Water Summit – Cure for The Common Conference
Was this you at the last conference you attended. No need for coffee at this summit.
Where Great Ideas Are Growing
Was the last conference you attended a one-day celebration of the mundane, the ordinary, the obvious and the overlooked? Did attendees send tweets like this one? @H2oWtr #conf. Next year cut conf hours from 8-5 to 8 – 8:15. 4 months ago The BlueTech… Read more »
Give Them a Hand Not a Handout
Give them a hand not a handout was a lesson Bill Zingg from Kern Turf Supply taught me when I first started in the water management business. Since learning the message for the first time I have been both the giver and receiver. Both are very rewarding. Recently I became familiar with an organization, Chapin Living Waters, who for many years has been completing this message, working all… Read more »
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American Water Works - AWK
Aqua America - WTR
California Water Service Group - CWT
American States Water Company - AWR
