NID has contracted with a certified landscape irrigation auditor who during July and early August performed water system audits and provided suggested irrigation schedules for participating schools.

Auditor Mike Connor of Irrigation Consultation   Evaluation, based in Roseville, said the schools might typically reduce water use by 15 percent or more while still keeping fields and landscapes green and productive.

Mark Langley, director of maintenance for the Pleasant Ridge Union School District in southern Nevada County, is among the school district officials who eagerly accepted NID’s invitation for the audit.

"All school districts are trying to find ways to save money," said Langley. "We need to make our funds go further. We need to be good stewards of the money we have."

Langley said he uses NID treated, piped water to irrigate about 8 acres at Magnolia, Cottage Hill and Alta Sierra schools and plans to follow Connor’s recommendations. "We’re going to do whatever we can do to save water," he said.

Connor conducts the audits by appointment. He inspects irrigation controllers, valves and sprinklers and makes recommendations for replacement of weak batteries or broken or leaking parts. He reviews sprinkler head pressure and direction.
He often recommends new, more efficient sprinkler heads and phasing back to deeper, less frequent watering. "In this area, we need to remember to turn our controllers off during the winter. You’ll only need to irrigate if the soil is dry to the touch," he noted.

Following the audit, Connor consults with the customer and follows up with a written report and computer-based suggested irrigation schedule.

The free service is part of NID’s overall water efficiency program, said NID Business Coordinator Bill Gann. "We’re hoping to expand the program next year to include some of our other larger water users," he said.

For more information about NID water efficiency programs, contact Gann at (530) 273-6185.