Documented Methods to Save Landscape Water and Protect Assets during 1980s Five Year California Drought

A recent interview with Ms. Cheng, a Cupertino, California homeowner indicated that she was totally unaware that in 2009, California is facing a serious drought condition. In reply to our question "How is the look of your landscape at your million dollar plus Cupertino home?" She replied "well doing OK but the grass has turned brown and I don't understand why - it was green last year."

Our next question was about the value of her home and she replied that in the last year it declined about 400 thousand dollars but still worth over a million.

The question that we should have asked but didn't ... would be "what do you think that a brown lawn and dying landscape would do you the value of your home?"

What's going on in California and the world during these repeat drought conditions? Why does the average person not put their mind around the severity of the situation and the potential damage to their assets?

The question we are facing now is how to provide a "wake-up" call to the citizens of these drought effected areas and get them to start taking steps to manage Landscape and all water seriously - just like they manage their cash assets and monthly expenses?


During TV Interviews done in the 1980's five year California Drought, it was indicated that there are solutions available to work with managing landscape water much like managing a financial budget. Archive files of two interviews done at Hewlett-Packard's Corporate Headquarters Facility in Palo Alto have been found and are presented here as a part of our Wickabell analysis of how to educate and market these Certified Water Management solutions during the current and future droughts around the world.

The first interview is with ABC News from New York and the second is by The San Jose News Channel - TV 11.



The interviews focused on the state of the art water management concepts developed by Green Leaf Landscape Management and used during the 1980's drought at HP's facilities and by Tandem Computers, in Cupertino.

These concepts have continued to evolve over the years and are now available for use worldwide from a Cupertino, California based company - AuditorSoft.com.

The time proven techinques are fully computerized with easy to use data interface screens and extensive analysis and reporting capability.

for more information: http://www.auditorsoft.biz/

Archived videos provided by http://www.WhoWhatWhereWhy.info

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Is California the Next Australia - becoming Treeless

California and many other locations in the United States are facing serious drought conditions. But, it appears that no one really cares. It seems to be business as usual putting ones "head in the sand" waiting for the crisis to simply "go away"!

But is it going to "go away"?

Ask those in Australia if their water shortage has gone away.

A recent article outlines well what Australia has faced and what changes it has brought to their landscape and potential serious damage to their eco systems.

Take a read, it is quite enlightening!

The living dead - Australia's disappearing landscape
Jeff Novich, special to mongabay.com
June 24, 2009

Quote from the article "The gum trees that are scattered through the landscape are naturally dying off at a rate of one to two percent each year. With no replacement, researchers fear more than 100,000 square kilometers of land could be virtually treeless within the next 100 years. "

Watch the video, too

Your landscape is a valuable part of your asset. Don't delay, take action to Manage Landscape Water Now. click to join the discussion

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Tips to save and manage landscape water in a drought or in good times

click for more information

The AuditorSoft BLOG site has just made a posting of Three Tips on how to save landscape water. http://auditorsoft.blogspot.com/



If you are a water management professional or a landscape contractor, check out our Online Discussion Group http://www.managelandscapewater.org

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Make a Drought Emergency Plan Today - Governor Declares State of Emergency

Put Your California Drought Emergency Action Plan in High Gear

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today proclaimed a state of emergency and ordered immediate action to manage the crisis. In the proclamation, the Governor uses his authority to direct all state government agencies to utilize their resources, implement a state emergency plan and provide assistance for people, communities and businesses impacted by the drought.

Read the full text of the Press Release:
http://gov.ca.gov/press-release/11556

More on what you can do to
Put Your California Drought Emergency Action Plan in High Gear


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California Drought - Getting Really Serious

The Drought in California ia becoming a very serious issue and some have said even as big or bigger than the issues with the economic situation.

Installed landscapes are worth millions of Dollers each and the availability of water to feed even the high priority assets is minimal.

To make maters worse much of California has clay type soil and the proposed rationing plan being imposed by the various water boards is for watering only 2 or 3 days a week.

With clay type sil you need to apply the water a little at a time and not allow it to runoff and down the curb or gutter,

Delaying several days between waterings simply won't work when the soil is clay.

But hard heads are much like the hard soil and details, facts and truths simply runoff these hard type heads.

To make the best we can of this situation will require a lot of professionals doing a lot oc clever some known and some unknown.

To allow for the sharing of best practices and clever ideas, we have created our online discussion group.

If you are a landscape professional; a concerned facilities or property manager or a local water board representative, please join in the discussion.

Don't be shy, ask your questions and make your clever suggestions.

Goals and links to the discussion group are at: www.ManageLandscapeWater.com

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Discussion Group Formed for Landscape Water Management

Join our Discussion Group on LinkedIn

Manage Landscape Water - in Good Times & Drought Times

Tips to Prepare a California Drought Emergency Plan

Share best practices, success stories and ideas on methods to manage landscape water. Water usage in landscapes should be managed and not allow it to either be overused running down the sidewalk or under used resulting in damage to the plantscape.

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Official California Information on the Drought Situation

I am wondering why more is not be done about the drought in California?

According to the Official California Web Site:

California is facing the most significant water crisis in its history. After experiencing two years of drought and the driest spring in recorded history, water reserves are extremely low.

But people don't seem to be very worried? What's going on?

Is there a leadership vacuum?

... mor details from the official site...

With the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta ecosystem near collapse, court-ordered restrictions on water deliveries from the Delta have reduced supplies from the state's two largest water systems by twenty to thirty percent.

Drought conditions in the Colorado River Basin and a Sierra snowpack that is now dangerously unreliable due to global climate change, is leaving many communities throughout California facing mandatory restrictions on water use and/or rising water bills. If the drought continues into next year, the results could be catastrophic to our economy.

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Don't risk losing assents during a drought - prepare a drought emergency plan now

Water is rapidly becoming a scare commodity and the costs of water for landscapes is becoming higher and higher each year.

Your landscape represents a significient major investment.

Don't risk losing valuable assets during a drought.

Plan now and be ready should a drought condition worsen.

Easy to learn process management skills for managing landscape watering and procedures are available any are easy to use. Landscape water management is a natural fit for a computerized data collection and analysis application.

These time proven management techniques will reduce your irrigation water usage considerably!

One should not wait for a drought condition to practice irrigation water management.

click for how to prepare a Drought Emergency Plan


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Mitigating Global Warming

As an electrical engineer, I many times wonder what really is the big deal behind Global Warming and is it possible for me personally to have any role or have some affect on the issues.

The American Society of Civil Engineers have just published a study that I have found to be interesting reading.

The title is: Engineer's Role in Mitigating Global Warming

Abstract Summary:

Civil and environmental engineers will play a key role in responding to many of the projected impacts of global climate change, including impacts to water supply from drought, changing storm patterns and severity, and the potential for increased flooding due to sea level rise and rainfall patterns.

As leaders responsible for the public's physical well-being in terms of the performance of infrastructure, civil engineers need to consider and debate these issues and prepare for the future now.

My conclusion:

Possibly, this may open new fields and provide new opportunities for some experienced engineers in other fields of interests to get involved and perhaps may a serious contribution.

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Decorative native landscape ideas - saves water & looks great!

Do your part - take action and save water.

There are many ways to become involved. Take a look at this creative video produced by some young citizens in the Southern California area.



I trust you will agree, this clever short video got my attention and perhaps yours as well!

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Certified Water Managers - Get big Savings with Auditor Soft

AuditorSoft a web-based data management software is offering a limited time Promotional Code to encourge users to check out their program.

Home Owner Associations, Large companies, large facility management companies as well as small landscape business owners can take advantage of this program.

click here for more details and to sign up today

Landscape water management is a straightforward series of tasks. They are not hard; but not easy to get started with either. Join the discussion group

Don't re-invent the wheel, learn from those that have been there and done it before.

The concepts behind AuditorSoft were starting to be developed in the early 1980's and fine tuned during the 1989 drought in Northern California. At Hewlett-Packard's World Headquarters in Palo Alto, California, water savings in the area of 40% were achieved consistently. In addition, the concepts allowed HP's landscape maintenance company to put the water exactly where it was required and needed and to stop putting water where is wasn't required including stopping water wasting run-off down the sidewalks.

Don't delay -- stop putting your landscape at risk.

Too little water results in dead plants; but, too much water may go un-detected for months intill it is too late to correct the damage not to mention getting your money back from the expensive water overusage.

Click here to see how you may use the tools that .....

Certified Water Managers use.

editorial

Europeans - Are we Water Wasters?

As an American now living in North Eastern Europe, I find that Europeans have little concern about wasting water so I am not surprised by the recent report that drowns the Brittish.

Source: Report entitled - British guiltiest in survey of Western European shower habits

A recent poll of western Europeans’ shower habits reveals water wastefulness. Britons are particularly self-indulgent showers, with 12 percent reportedly lingering for 11 to 20 minutes. Most European adults showerers between two and five minutes, according to the survey by Ipsos MORI for the Royal Society of Chemistry. Richard Pike, RSC chief executive said, “One should be able to shower thoroughly within a couple of minutes.


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California - Water Plans by Regions

Regional reports available on the website

... and are done for each of the 10 hydrologic regions, the Mountain Counties Area, and the Sacramento – San Joaquin Delta region. Each report includes a discussion of the state of the region, key challenges, ongoing programs, and information on water supplies and uses. These reports constitute Volume 3 of the California Water Plan Update.

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California - Blue Ribbon Task Force to meet Aug. 21 and 22

The California's governor’s Delta Vision Blue Ribbon Task Force will meet Aug. 21 and 22 in Sacramento to seek public comment on the third staff draft of the Delta Vision Strategic Plan. The draft will be released before the meeting here on the Delta Vision Web site where you can also find the agendas for both the Thursday and Friday meetings.

Report - Water for America Initiative: Addressing 21st Century Water Challenges

The Bureau of Reclamation has made available its portion of the proposed Water for America Initiative Implementation Plan for review and comment. Beginning in October, USBR and the United States Geological Survey will implement the Water for America Initiative. USBR Commissioner Robert Johnson said, “We encourage our stakeholders and the public to review the plan and provide comments.”

Water Management for Landscapes -- a potential small business opportunity

Landscapes are used to enhance the value of your asset whether it be a small home or a much larger commercial site or even multi-functional campuses.
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Protection of your asset is important and is critical to maintaining the functionality and curb appeal of your property.
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If you are in the landscape business or have an interest in the outdoors or environment, this field may be an excellent part-time or full time business opportunity for you.

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click for more information

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Weekly - Water News from State of California

California has a weekly electronic newsletter is designed to keep you current on California Water Plan news.

They welcome comments, suggestions and any news tips that may be of interest to water planners.

News update for 18 May 2008

San Jose area Regional Forum - June 2nd & 3rd

Plan on attending the Water Plan’s All-Regions Forum, June 2 and 3, at the Doubletree Hotel in San Jose. Sessions include a preview of the Prop. 84 grant program for Integrated Regional Water Management, the governor’s 20 percent conservation plan, and regional water management response packages.

The agenda is posted here.

Please RSVP to David Sumi by e-mail dsumi@ccp.csus.edu or telephone him at (916) 341-3328.


for more information click here

Easily achieve water savings to meet the new Drought Reduction Requirements

A question you may be asking:

how do we achieve the required 19% water use reduction and protect out investment in our landscape?

Its actually quite easy to accomplish !

Use the proven AuditorSoft system. Easy step by step instructions and setup in just an hour or so of time.

Easy to use, intuitive software with instant analyis on your computer screen at home or office.

Call your landscape contractor today and ask them to use the AuditorSoft system on your property. If they don't already use it ask them to contact Dave McLeroy at Green Leaf Landscape Mapping and Control who will quickly set them up. (800) 962-2894

If you do your own Landcapae maintenance, contact Dave McLeroy and he will recommend one of their authorized providers in your area.

Its time proven to achieve results - available today.

Don't wait call now! (800) 962-2894

email: dave.mcleroy@auditorsoft.com

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Drought - Brings Mandatory Rationing to Safeguard Dwindling Water Supply in Northern California

Northern California - 13 May 2008

The East Bay Municipal Utility District Board of Directors voted unanimously Tuesday to immediately implement a Drought Management Program to safeguard its shrinking water supply amidst a second consecutive dry year.

Single-family residential customers are being asked to cut back 19 percent. Overall they are looking for a 15% reduction. more information- see Press Release

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The drought program approved by the EBMUD Board prohibits the following:

• using water for decorative ponds, lakes and fountains except those thatrecycle the water

• washing vehicles with hoses that do not contain shutoff nozzles

• washing sidewalks, patios and similar hard surfaces

• irrigating outdoors on consecutive days or more than three days a week(EBMUD recommends watering in the evening or before dawn)

• lawn or garden watering that results in excessive runoff• sewer and hydrant flushing and washing streets with potable (drinking)water supplied by EBMUD except for essential purposes

• the use of potable water for construction if alternatives are available

• the use of potable water for soil compaction and dust control whenanother source is available

5th World Water Forum to Be Announced

5th World Water Forum to Be Announced at United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development

News from EarthTimes

NEW YORK - (Business Wire) On May 13, 2008, the 5th World Water Forum, the largest water-related event in the world, will be presented during the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD-16) in New York, with a special emphasis on its political dimension. With over 300 participating organizations, including the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the 5th Forum, to be held in Istanbul from March 16 to 22, 2009, promises to garner unprecedented American and international interest surrounding global water issues.

more information

Organizations - Water Management issues

International Water Management Institute

IWMI is one of 15 international research centers supported by the network of 60 governments, private foundations and international and regional organizations collectively known as the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). It is a non-profit organization with a staff of 350 and offices in over 10 countries across Asia and Africa and Headquarters in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

IWMI's Mission is to improve the management of land and water resources for food, livelihoods and nature.

IWMI's Vision, reflected in the Strategic Plan is to be a world-class knowledge center on water, food and environment.


United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

UNESCO

UNESCO - Information on Water

There is a lot of information on the World's Topic of Water on the United nations UNESCU site

Take a look for yourself

Message from Mr Koïchiro Matsuura, Director-General of UNESCO, on the occasion of World Water Day: Sanitation, 22 March 2008

This year, within the context of the UN International Year of Sanitation, World Water
Day focuses on the critical theme of Sanitation. I would like to take this opportunity to renew UNESCO’s commitment to promote science and knowledge for the sustainable use of the world’s freshwater resources and reiterate the crucial importance of providing safe drinking water and sanitation to all.

One of the greatest challenges faced by humankind is to improve the well-being of the 2.6 billion people – which account for half the population of the developing world – lacking access to basic sanitation. Despite increasing rates of sanitation coverage worldwide and significant efforts by governments and the international community, progress towards the MDG target of halving the proportion of the population without sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation has been slow and uneven. more information - read full statement

As CNN says - be our on the scene reporter of water wasting

Help us - help you !

If you see water being wasted, take a photo and email it to us. Give us as much information as possible: like street address and name of person, company or organization there.

We will research and attempt to locate the responsible person(s) and attempt to communicate with them what has been reported and how they may be able to resolve the issue.

We may choose to place the photos in our Hall of Shame Photo Album based on the response we receive with our discussions. More on that in later POSTS.

We are especially interested in water running off of landcaped areas, grass, flowers and the like. Water running down sidewalks and street curbs an into the storm drains.

Send any size photo - in jpg format please.

mail to: waste@waterauditnews.com

if you have a video clip, upload to YouTube and send us the link

Making a difference is our goal

McDonalds uses a lot of water worldwide - read their story

McDonald's restaurants use, on average, about 1,650 gallons of water per day. For all restaurants, that's a total of somewhere around 19.2 billion gallons a year. Most of the water is used for personal sanitation, cleaning and, in some cases, landscape maintenance.

more info


Editor's note: our intent is to research and find the most up to date and best hard to find information and share with our readers. This story POST is one of these that we just though shoule be shared.

It is important that all major companies worldwide step up, make a commitment and a stand on the environment and water use and management.

As the customers of these companies, it is our responsibility to hold the managers of these companies responsible.

Please make your expectations known.

AuditorSoft Announces Its Incorporation

Cupertino, California, February 29, 2008 – AuditorSoft has announced its new status as a class C corporation with headquarters in Cupertino, California.

The privately held AuditorSoft will provide full-service, web-enabled water management and quality control software to the landscape industry. AuditorSoft has acquired exclusive rights to ControllerSoft and QualitySoft, the nationally recognized web-based software suite formerly available through Green Leaf Mapping and Control Systems.

"We are pleased to begin the licensing and support of these exceptional products", said Dave McLeroy, AuditorSoft president. "Landscapers using this water management software suite are closing more sales, at higher prices. Moreover, they are among the first in California to achieve full water management certification through the California Landscape Contractor Association's (CLCA) new certification program."ControllerSoft and QualitySoft, developed in collaboration with leading California landscapers, have a proven record of helping licensees reduce operational costs while providing tangible, superior results to their clients.

Contacts: Dave McLeroy AuditorSoft

(800) 962-2894 dave.mcleroy@auditorsoft.com


AuditorSoft writes quality and water management software that documents performance and plans for continuous improvement. Green Leaf Mapping & Control Systems trains clients and contractors to use AuditorSoft landscape and custodial management software.

Service goals and water budgets are defined in specifications and tracked by service providers and easily audited by the clients. Labor effectiveness and water conservation improve with AuditorSoft.

Introduction

Hello

Welcome to our new BLOG dedicated to providing NEWS, Links and Best Practice ideas in the area of Water Management Worldwide.

Utilizing the ideas, concepts, and techniques we pioneered at Hewlett-Packard's World Headquarters site in Silicon Valley California, USA during the late 1980's and drought of 1989 and early 1990's we will create a friendly community to exchange and share ideas on the best ways to monitor water usage and potential solutions to a complex set of issues.

Your involvement, comments and suggestions are welcomed and encouraged. Please be an active participant.

Partnering with software company AuditorSoft, we plan to share their experiences and to attract your best practices to make their product offering the baseline in the Water Management Field Worldwide.

Best regards, Mike Johnson