City of Palmdale Honored for Water Conservation

PALMDALE - The Irrigation Association (IA) has named the City of Palmdale as the winner of its national Energy and Conservation Award for 2008. The National Energy and Conservation Award recognizes substantial achievements in this area related to irrigation procedures, equipment, methods and techniques.

The IA noted that nearly two decades ago, Palmdale City leaders recognized the need for increased irrigation efficiency due to anticipated water shortfalls from drought conditions and population increases. By updating outdated and inefficient irrigation systems, and formulating an overall plan for better water management citywide, Palmdale reduced water usage by 20 percent between 2006 and 2007, saving the City an estimated $235,000.

One of the keys to the City’s success was the introduction of a high-tech, award-winning water management system in the early 1990s called Maxicom to help conserve precious water, power and labor.

“The Maxicom system has been an outstanding tool in helping us to reduce our water use, and yet keep our parks healthy,” said Director of Public Works Mike Mischel. “By using data from a weather station at a field location at Domenic Massari Park that collects and stores weather data such as air temperature, solar radiation, relative humidity, wind speed, wind direction and rainfall. This information is retrieved daily by a computer, allowing the irrigation system to adjust sprinkler station runtimes according to the current weather conditions. Maxicom’s sensors also alert City maintenance staff to faulty systems and help expedite necessary repairs,” said Mischel.

“During the months of June, July and August 2008 alone, the City of Palmdale’s maintenance department saved a weighted average of 31% or 56,005,004 gallons compared to last year for the landscaping located in Palmdale Water District's area,” said Senior Engineering Landscape Connie Brown.

The City was also congratulated for assisting surrounding areas and neighboring towns to develop smart irrigation practices, including participating in educational videos broadcast on the City’s television channels and providing water conservation booklets free of charge.

“We’re all very proud of our staff who continue to do an outstanding job of utilizing technology, xeriscaping and all the resources available to them to help conserve water,” said Palmdale Mayor Jim Ledford.

The City of Palmdale’s water conservation ordinance, which was adopted in 1991, has been instrumental in maximizing water use throughout the City by establishing efficient standards for plan approval on all landscape and irrigation projects. Tools utilized by the City to save water include decreasing watering days and times, conducting regular water audits, increasing turf mowing heights, xeriscaping, use of technologies such as the Maxicom water management system, installation of synthetic grass, recycling pool water, installation of water saving devices, point source irrigation, installing water efficient sprinkler heads, aerating turf for maximum water penetration and mulching around plants and shrubs.

The IA is the leading membership organization for irrigation equipment and system manufacturers, dealers, distributors, designers, consultants, contractors and end users. Originally founded in 1949, IA includes over 2,000 corporate and individual members and is dedicated to promoting efficient irrigation. For more information on IA, visit www.irrigation.org.

For more information on Palmdale’s water conservation program, contact the public works department at 267-5300.