Extend Green Building to the Outdoors to Avoid Expensive Risk |
 By Tom AshBrowse the program of any construction industry conference and you are likely to see a session on risk avoidance. Builders are taking measures to avoid construction defects because lawsuits and warranty service calls cut into profit margins. One risk area is poorly designed landscape irrigation systems, which can result in multimillion dollar lawsuits long after project completion. Structural damage, dying landscapes, soggy lawns, mold development, and high water bills are just a few of the problems that stem from poor quality irrigation systems. Improper irrigation can also lead to litigation and fines due to excessive runoff. Fortunately, a new generation of “smart” weather-based irrigation controllers can alleviate these risks. How Smart Controllers Limit Risk Smart controllers automatically calculate irrigation runtimes based on numerous factors including plant type, soil type, and slope. By taking the guesswork out of irrigation scheduling, specifying these weather-based controllers is a proactive way to decrease claims related to damage caused by overwatering. At the same time, new lawns and plantings flourish with the right amount of irrigation, improving the look of the property, decreasing landscape replacement costs, and substantially decreasing runoff. Runoff control is especially important in areas with unstable soils or strict watering restrictions, and where pollution from landscape runoff is closely monitored. With water rates ever-rising, smart controllers can help decrease customer water bills. This cost savings, coupled with the ability of smart controllers to improve landscape appearance, makes them popular with consumers. Water agency studies have demonstrated the controllers’ ability to curb water use by up to 59 percent while they improve plant health. Water saved is available for future projects – an increasingly important consideration as long-term water supplies must be proven for building permits to be awarded in a growing number of regions. Government Support for Smart Irrigation As they have demonstrated their value, weather-based controllers are getting a great deal of attention from government agencies. The Irrigation Association (IA), irrigation suppliers, and leading water agencies have teamed up to form the Smart Water Application Technology (SWAT) initiative to educate consumers and contractors about these technologies. On the local level, a growing number of water agencies are offering rebates, vouchers, and other programs to encourage the installation of smart controllers. With awareness of water-saving appliances growing, new homebuyers increasingly expect water efficiency both inside and outside of the home. The American Water Works Association estimates that outdoor watering represents about 60 percent of a home’s total water use, and that 50 percent of this water is wasted because of poor landscape irrigation practices. Unfortunately, there’s a lot of progress yet to be made, since water use efficiency in landscaping is still relatively rare. On the bright side, the opportunity for savings is great, and both builders and buyers stand to benefit. Smart Irrigation Equals Less Litigation For builders, among the most compelling reasons for taking the lead with smart controllers are preventing litigation and reducing insurance costs. Throughout the last several years, there’s been an escalation in lawsuits against builders, with many states adopting new legislation that protects homebuyers from construction defects. During 2002, insurance companies paid an estimated $22 billion in construction-defect claims across the United States, resulting in higher premiums for liability insurance and higher home prices. While 24 states have legislation that requires homeowners to negotiate with their builders before initiating a construction defect claim, the remaining states have no such law on the books. For builders looking to decrease their liability insurance premiums, accelerate building permitting and lower the long-term risks with homebuyers and planned communities, adopting smart irrigation practices in the business plan provides bargaining power the next time liability insurance comes up for renewal. And for those who specify smart controllers, there are numerous water agency studies available to document expected water savings – a valuable resource the next time it’s necessary to document a development’s long-term water supply needs. Steps to a Solution So how do builders start on the road to smart irrigation? The first step is to hire a qualified irrigation contractor who will adhere to the irrigation best management practices (BMPs) adopted by the IA. The IA’s BMPs represent the best in irrigation design, installation, and maintenance. Second, builders should specify the installation of a smart irrigation controller. Several smart controllers have a built-in irrigation scheduling engine that tailors an individual schedule for every zone on the irrigation system. Once the initial setup takes place, the controllers receive daily updates that adjust the watering schedule based on local climate conditions. Take these simple steps to avoid the high costs and risks of overwatering:
Tom Ash has over 20 years of experience in the fields of water use efficiency, public education and horticulture. In his prior roles as water conservation coordinator for the Irvine Ranch Water District and horticulture advisor for the University of California Cooperative Extension, Tom created win, win, win water management programs for builders, homeowners and landscapers. Tom now serves as the Director of Conservation for HydroPoint Data Systems, Inc. of Petaluma, Calif. HydroPoint, along with strategic partners The Toro Company and Irritrol Systems, provides a full line of WeatherTRAK weather-based irrigation management solutions for commercial and residential landscape applications. Contact Tom at tash@hydropoint.com or call (800) 362-8774 or visit www.hydropoint.com. |
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