UC/CSU/CCC Sustainability Conference Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, 2008 The Best Practice Awards Program is created by the UC/CSU/IOU Energy Efficiency Partnership Program and funded under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission

The UC Project Management Institute is a Registered Provider with The American Institute of Architects Continuing Education Systems. Credit earned on completion of this program will be reported to CES Records for AIA members. Certificates of Completion for non-AIA members are available upon request This program is registered with the AIA-CES for continuing professional education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product. Questions related to specific materials, methods and services will be addressed at the conclusion of this AIA CONTINUING EDUCATION

Sustainability as it deals with water Management of Scarce Resources Orange County re-injecting in local aquifers to stop salt water incursion from over-pumping. San Diego just approved a bill to use treated effluent in reservoirs to bolster drinking water supplies. More plans to use treated water for irrigation and for industrial processes... Power production, cooling, etc. Issues that stand in the way of effective use of water Regulatory inconsistency Mandates that will increase usage but not increase availability Effects from climate change

Land use policy 1% of the water on earth is fresh and supports all land life. What is our responsibility to our ecosystem? In California there is a movement to shift water from agriculture to support the increasing population. The reason? We are the largest most prolific agricultural producers but agriculture only supplies 1% of the states wealth. (as quoted in Water Efficiency journal) Wealth or food? Peaking water... We are at the point where water availability is the limiting factor yet continues to be unrecognized in respect to land use planning and urban development.

Water: What makes the world go round... In California  One of the major uses of electricity in California is for water pumping.  The aqueduct system has transformed Central & southern California.  13.3 % of agricultural crops in U. S. are produced in California and we are one of the largest producers of rice, grapes, olives, walnuts and many others.  2000 Kwh per CCF entrained pumping costs

WATER Central Valley Project moves water from Northern California to Central Valley Produces 5000 Gwh and use 1.5 Gwh for pumping. The rest (3.5 Gwh) is sold at cost or about $30 per Mwh to the grid. Every CCF conserved decreases cost to move the water and increases power available to the grid. There are 2 other Water entities, Colorado River and MWD although Colorado River is largely gravity flow.

CALSENSE CENTRAL CONTROL IRRIGATION SYSTEM San Diego State University Water Efficiency / Site Water Quality Dennis Mitchell / Irrigation Specialist

Replace aging assortment of irrigation timers with central control irrigation system. We set out to reorganize irrigation points of connection and existing controllers to maximize irrigation water metering on campus. This project was started about 15 years ago with the installation of several controllers. At this time we are at about 85% complete and expect to be 99.9% complete in one or two years. MOTIVATION

PROCESS The Calsense system enables SDSU to conserve water, reduce runoff and maintain plant health while saving money. Of the hurdles we faced throughout the project, two things that stand out are concrete and getting water from one source.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION Controllers are weather-based central control or stand alone Flow meter – measures water use Master valve – control mainline output Rain bucket – shut off at preset amount and measure rain Moisture sensor – (tensiometer) activate valve based on soil moisture ET gage – measure evaporation through ceramic cup with canvas cover Alerts – high, low and no flow/ no current or short/ mainline break Communication – radio wave, phone line, cell phone, hard wire and ethernet Computer – make changes from central/ usage charts/ event schedule

Tipping Rain Bucket

E. T. Gage

PARTS

BARRIERS Some of the barriers were time, money and old school thinking. One of the challenges faced early was that the other departments needed (TNS, electricians, concrete) were not aware of the project or did not know who I was. After talking with supervisors and developing a relationship with the right people everything goes pretty smooth now.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS SDSU is leading the way of the future by implementing a central control irrigation system now. Calsense offers free training and customer service reps are available for any help needed. We were able to get money from MWD to offset cost of controllers. At this point we are counting water and sewer costs savings. Most of the water savings has come from improved efficiency with upgrading systems. Calsense system can be used as a component to help with LEED certification.

LESSONS LEARNED Have a plan and get all entities on-board with project or hire a proven contractor. Also, work with company reps to train and consult with people involved. You need dedicated and well-trained people on the team to focus throughout the project or time slips away fast. There needs to be a person pushing the process forward and asking questions about progress. My recommendation for anyone taking on this type of project is research, planning, training and follow up.

PLACES

TEAM Dennis Mitchell – Irrigation Specialist Bill Lekas – Utilities Manager Dave Meehan – Calsense Rep

CONTACT INFORMATION Dennis Mitchell – SDSU Irrigation Specialist Bill Lekas – SDSU Utilities Manager Irrigation Association – irrigation.orgirrigation.org Calsense – calsense.comcalsense.com California Landscape Contractors Association – clca.orgclca.org

QUESTIONS? Please stop by the Higher Education Partnership booth for hard copies of 2007 Best Practice case studies. Or visit best_practices.htm to view an online archive of case studies. best_practices.htm This concludes the American Institute of Architects Continuing Education Systems Program. QUESTIONS?