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A. Landscape Audit, Irrigation Survey, and Irrigation Water Use Analysis for New Construction and Rehabilitated Landscapes.

1. This section shall apply to new construction and rehabilitated landscape projects installed after January 1, 2010, as described in CVWDC 3.15.030.

2. All landscape irrigation audits shall be conducted by a certified landscape irrigation auditor.

3. The project applicant shall submit an irrigation audit report with the certificate of completion to the local agency that may include, but not be limited to, inspection, system tune-up, system test with distribution uniformity, reporting overspray or runoff that causes overland flow, and preparation of an irrigation schedule, including configuring irrigation controllers with application rate, soil types, plant factors, slope, exposure and any other factors necessary for accurate programming.

4. The district will administer programs that may include, but not be limited to, irrigation water use analysis, irrigation audits and irrigation surveys for compliance with the maximum applied water allowance (MAWA).

5. The owner of the landscaped area shall bear the cost of the audit.

B. Irrigation Audit, Irrigation Survey and Irrigation Water Use Analysis for Existing Landscapes.

1. This section shall apply to all existing landscapes that were installed before January 1, 2010, and are over one acre in size.

2. The district will administer programs that may include, but not be limited to, irrigation water analysis, irrigation surveys and irrigation audits that verify landscape water use does not exceed the maximum applied water allowance (MAWA) for existing landscapes. The maximum applied water allowance (MAWA) for existing landscapes shall be calculated as: MAWA = (0.70) (ETo) (LA) (0.62/748) unless landscape plans were submitted and approved under a more water conserving ordinance.

C. Water Waste Prevention.

1. Water waste resulting from inefficient landscape irrigation including runoff, low-head drainage, overspray, or other similar conditions where water flows onto adjacent property, nonirrigated areas, walks, roadways, or structures is prohibited. All broken heads and pipes must be repaired within 72 hours of notification. Penalties for violation of these prohibitions are established in CVWDC 3.15.070.

2. Customers who cause water waste may have their service discontinued.

3. Customers who appear to be exceeding the maximum applied water allowance (MAWA) may be interviewed by the district water management department to verify customer water usage to ensure compliance.

D. Soil Management Report.

1. In order to reduce runoff and encourage healthy plant growth, a soil management report shall be completed by the project applicant or designee as follows:

a. Submit soil samples to a laboratory for analysis and recommendation.

b. Soil sampling shall be conducted in accordance with laboratory protocol, including protocols regarding adequate sampling depth for the intended plants.

c. The soil analysis may include:

i. Determination of soil texture, indicating the available water holding capacity.

ii. An approximate soil infiltration rate either measured or derived from soil texture/infiltration rate tables. A range of infiltration rates shall be noted where appropriate.

iii. Measure of pH, total soluble salts and percent organic matter.

d. The project applicant or designee shall comply with one of the following:

i. If significant mass grading is not planned, the soil analysis report shall be submitted to the local agency as part of the landscape documentation package; or

ii. If significant mass grading is planned, the soil analysis report shall be submitted to the local agency as part of the certificate of completion.

e. The soil analysis report shall be made available, in a timely manner, to the professionals preparing the landscape design plans and the irrigation plans to make any necessary adjustments to the design plans.

f. The project applicant or designee shall submit documentation verifying implementation of soil analysis report recommendations to the local agency with the certificate of completion.

E. Developer-Provided Documentation.

1. The developer/applicant/designee shall provide an approved copy of the landscape documentation package and the following information for the homeowner or irrigation system operator. The package/information shall include a set of drawings, a recommended monthly irrigation schedule, and a recommended irrigation system maintenance schedule as described in subsection (F) of this section.

2. Irrigation Schedules. For the efficient use of water, all irrigation schedules shall be developed, managed, and evaluated to utilize the minimum amount of water to maintain plant health. Irrigation schedules shall meet the following criteria:

a. An annual irrigation program with monthly irrigation schedules shall be required for the plant establishment period, for the established landscape, and for any temporarily irrigated areas. The irrigation schedule shall:

i. Include run time (in minutes per cycle), suggested number of cycles per day, and frequency of irrigation for each station.

ii. Provide the amount of applied water (in hundred cubic feet) recommended on a monthly and annual basis.

iii. Whenever possible, incorporate the use of evapotranspiration data, such as those from the California Irrigation Management Information System (CIMIS) weather stations, to apply the appropriate levels of water for different climates.

iv. Whenever possible, be scheduled between 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m. to avoid irrigating during times of high wind or high temperature. Run times and other water efficient requirements may be imposed by the CVWD board of directors from time to time.

F. Maintenance Schedules. A regular maintenance schedule satisfying the following conditions shall be submitted as part of the landscape documentation package:

1. Landscapes shall be maintained to ensure water efficiency. A regular maintenance schedule shall include but not be limited to checking, adjusting, cleaning and repairing equipment; resetting the automatic controller; aerating and dethatching turf areas; replenishing mulch; and fertilizing, pruning, and weeding in all landscaped areas.

2. Repair of irrigation equipment shall be done with the originally specified materials or their approved equal.

3. A project applicant is encouraged to implement sustainable or environmentally friendly practices for the overall landscape maintenance.

G. Certificate of Completion.

1. The certificate of completion (Appendix E of this chapter) shall include the following:

a. Submittal and approval dates of the landscape documentation package and submittal date of the water efficient landscape worksheet.

b. Project name.

c. Project address and location.

d. Applicant name, telephone and mailing address.

e. Property owner’s name, telephone, and mailing address.

2. Certification by either the signer of the landscape design plan, the signer of the irrigation design plan, or the licensed landscape contractor that the landscape project has been installed per the approved landscape documentation package.

3. Irrigation scheduling parameters used to set the controller. A diagram of the irrigation plan showing hydrozones shall be kept with the irrigation controller for subsequent management purposes.

4. Landscape and irrigation maintenance schedule.

5. Irrigation audit report.

6. Soil analysis report and documentation verifying implementation of soil report recommendations.

7. The project applicant shall:

a. Submit the signed certificate of completion to both the local agency and the district for review and approval.

b. Ensure that copies of the certificate of completion with all approvals are submitted to the local agency, the district, and property owner or his or her designee.

8. The district and the local agency shall:

a. Receive the signed certificate of completion from the project applicant.

b. Approve or deny the certificate of completion. If the certificate of completion is denied, the local agency shall provide information to the project applicant regarding reapplication, appeal or other assistance.

H. Storm Water Management.

1. Storm water management practices minimize runoff and increase infiltration which recharges groundwater and improves water quality. Implementing storm water best management practices into the landscape and grading design plans to minimize runoff and to increase on-site retention and infiltration is encouraged.

2. Project applicants shall refer to the district, the local agency, and/or regional water quality control board for information on any applicable storm water ordinances and storm water management plans.

3. Rain gardens and other landscape features that increase rain water capture and infiltration are recommended.

I. Public Education.

1. Public education is a critical component to promote the efficient use of water in landscapes. The use of appropriate principles of design, installation, management and maintenance that save water is encouraged in the community.

2. The district and the local agency shall provide information to residents regarding the design, installation, management and maintenance of water efficient landscapes. (Ord. 1302.5, 2020; Ord. 1302.4 Att. A, 2019; Ord. 1302.3 Att. A, 2017; Ord. 1302, 2003)