Water conservation isn’t just a “catch phrase” here in Southern California. It’s a way of life. For many homes, landscape irrigation is the largest water user we have to deal with. The majority of property owners and managers rely on the landscape maintenance companies to properly monitor water usage. They are, after all, the “experts.” Working closely with your maintenance contractor is necessary to ensure the best results.
Copies of water bills should be forwarded to your maintenance company so they can review them. These bills contain crucial information regarding usage and can be compared to previous months bills as well as the previous years costs.
Testing systems, making repairs, and setting automatic timers usually is the job of the site Foreman. It is imperative to make sure your Foreman understands all aspects of water conservation and plant usage requirements to ensure the best results. The job site Foreman is where the “rubber meets the road” and directly affects the bills you receive.
When choosing a company for maintenance, low price may cost you more in the long run. Generally, companies who cost less, pay less to acquire their personnel. Hiring and retaining knowledgeable employees is a key component to water conservation.
In short, water costs are not going to go down, so choose your contractor wisely.
By Chris Cutler
Landscape Maintenance Superintendent, Steven Smith Landscape