Peter Estournes, principal at Gardenworks in Northern California, explains how he's improved the profitability of his company by positioning himself and his technicians as water management advisers.

1. Using Water Efficiently
Anita Matlock, Area Specification Manager

2. “All the water that will ever be,
is right now.”
-National Geographic

3. The Intelligent Use of Water™
• At Rain Bird, we believe it is our responsibility to develop products
and technologies that use water efficiently.
• Our commitment also extends to education, training and services
for our industry and our communities.
• From water-saving nozzles to sprays with pressure-regulating stems
to leading-edge Smart Control Technology, Rain Bird products
make the most of every drop, delivering superior results with less
water.
Keeping the world and your landscapes beautiful.
That’s The Intelligent Use of Water.™

4. Sample of Rain Bird Water
Efficient Products
SMRT-Y ESP-SMTe XFV
RVAN HE-Van 1800 PRS5000 PRS
WR2 ESP-ET/Central
TSJ-PRS

5. The need to conserve water
has never been greater. We
want to do even more, and with
your help, we can.

6. Profiting
From
Water Conservation
Peter Estournes
Gardenworks Inc

7. State Officials/Politicians:
Focused on Water Conservation
• 20% or more State’s Energy Connected to Water
• SB7x7 – Urban Water Use Reduction of 20% by 2020
• Save Our Water Statewide PR Campaign

9. California Governor’s Input
• Increase Efficiency of Water Use
• Cut Waste
• Increase Recycling
• Fully Implement SB7x7
• Support Incentives for Efficiency and Recycling

10. New Norm- Best Management Practices
Areas of Emphasis
10
• Increasing qualifications of and
proficiency of landscape
professionals
• Innovative measurement and
evaluation techniques
• Comprehensive site management
• Water-soil-plant relationships
• Greater reliance on alternate
supplies

11. This Affects Our Industry . . .
• Water Conservation is Here to Stay
• Urban Water Use is an Easy Political Target
• Will Make a Difference in the Market Place
• Certification = Validation
• If Not Us - Then Who?

12. Water Management Certification -
An Economic Opportunity
• Differentiation in Marketplace
• Professionalism via Performance
• Advantage in the Green Economy
• Changing Business Models

13. Market Differentiation
• Began Serious Water Management in 2006
• Set Goal of Being THE Water Conservation Experts
• Adopted a Conservation Culture
• All Departments Included – Design, Installation,
Maintenance, Office
• Use Landscape Water Budgets

14. Design Division
• Educate Clients of Importance of “Low Impact”
• Process of Efficient Use of Resources Throughout
Project Explained to Clients
• All Projects Run Through MAWA Calculations/water
budgets
• Irrigation System Design Based Upon Optimum
Efficiency
• Sub Water Meters, Hunter SolarSync, Rain Sensors,
Shut Off Valves Standard on Projects

15. Installation Division
• Soil Testing as Needed
• All Irrigation Install Reviewed by Water Manager
• Extra Valve Wires, Remote Installed, Valves Labeled
• Recycling of Pipe Scraps, Mat’l Only Purchased for Project
• Client Binder – Incl. As Built, Mat’ls Used and Where
purchased, Irr. Zone Map, Start up Program and Established
Program based on MAWA, Manuals
• Employees Carpool to Job Site – 4 Day Work Week

16. Maintenance Division
• Now Called Management Division
• Crews Read Water Meters Each Visit
• Crews Adjust All Controllers Monthly or as Needed as Per
Water Manager Instructions
• Trained in Weather based Controllers
• Crews Review Irrig. System Function Monthly
• IPM, Recycling Green Waste, Organic Fertilizers
• Weekly Training incl. Horticultural Training
• 4 Day Work Week

17. Office/Management
• Meter Readings Entered Daily – Look for Anomalies
• Water Managers Enter End of Month Readings into Water Management
Certification Program (WMCP)
• Monthly and YTD Use Reports From WMCP Reviewed With Staff and
Crews – Some Sent to Clients and SCWA, SWRCB, City of Cloverdale
• 4 Expert Managers (Water Use Below 80% of Budget) – probably 5 for
2014
• Landscape Management Proposals Highlight Water Budgeting Approach
• Regular Project Walk-Throughs Checking Hort., Controller Program,
Water Meter Readings

18. Results After 6 Year Efforts
• 6 Water Managers, 8 Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper Certified
• 4 Expert Level Water Managers
• 45 Sites in WMCP Reporting Data for Our Use @ Overall 71% of Budget
• Regular Public Speaking Opportunities
• Direct Referrals From the Town of Windsor
• 4 EPA WaterSense Partners
• Finding Problems Much Faster – Not Just With Irrigation
• Customer Loyalty and Appreciation
• 45% Gross Profit Margin – Water Related Work
• Built Water Wise Wine Country Garden – Open to Public

19. Training Employees Critical for Success
• Training Challenge – Jim Palluch
• Regular Scheduled Training and Testing – CLCA’s Training
Tool Box, Company Culture, Field Based
• Job Descriptions and Career Path for Advancement
• Regular Testing – weighted in Evaluations
• Employee Evaluations based on Career Path
• QWEL , WMCPP, CLT Certification Offered and Expected

20. 2036 - COFFEELANE Previous Meter Current Meter GAL % of Budget
1/6/10 2857600 2858300 700 n/a
1/13/10 2858300 2859030 730 n/a
2859030 0 n/a
0 0 n/a
0 0 n/a
Water Meter PhotosCofee Lane H2O Meter - 011210.jpgTotal Monthly Usage 1430
Monthly Budget n/a
2041 - BROWN Previous Meter Current Meter % of Budget
1/6/10 9419490 9425270 5780 n/a
9425270 0 n/a
0 0 n/a
0 0 n/a
0 0 n/a
Total Monthly Usage 5780
Monthly Budget n/a
2043 - DOYLE Previous Meter Current Meter GAL % of Budget
1/6/10 877000 884000 7000 72.81%
1/13/10 884000 897500 13500 140.43%
1/19/10 897500 897620 120 1.25%
897620 0 0.00%
0 0 0.00%
Total Monthly Usage 20620
Monthly Budget 9613.59 214%
H2O Meter Reading Spread Sheet

21. 21

22. 22

24. Career Path Evaluation

25. Job Descriptions

26. Client Information Sheet

27. Water
Conservation
Examples
An Economic Opportunity for Landscapers
The California Landscape Contractors