Irrigation Technical Assistance Program (ITAP)

	Since 1994, the Santa Clara Valley Water District has been helping landscape managers improve their irrigation efficiency. Through the innovative Irrigation Technical Assistance Program (ITAP), auditors perform FREE site evaluations to assist property owners in better managing their water use. Our audits show potential savings of up to $1,000 per acre of landscape.
ITAP helped Paramount's Great America's Facilities Manager, Gary Tomasello, find ways to save water.

There are five components to an ITAP evaluation:

• System check
  Auditors from the ITAP program evaluate the entire water delivery system and point out deficiencies that can add up to significant water losses. Catch-can tests determine the average precipitation rate and distribution uniformity, which helps the manager understand system performance and leads to better scheduling strategies.

• Hydrozones and budgets
  Auditors classify plant groups into hydrozones to estimate each site’s actual water need. This results in the optimum water budget, which is compared with past use to determine possible savings.

• Scheduling and tracking usage
  Auditors provide a suggested yearly watering schedule and set up a system to log meter readings, calculate weekly water use and graphically compare current use with the budget. This weekly tracking is critical because it provides a gauge to monitor actual savings. Best results rely on the owner’s / manager’s active participation in maintaining the site.

• Site report
  The site’s property manager receives a report that evaluates the existing irrigation system and landscape water management. The report also includes a plan to improve the site’s water-use efficiency.

• Follow-up services
  Auditors are available for telephone consultations and follow-up visits. Our goal is to make the program work on your site!

For more information, including eligibility requirements and showcase sites, download the complete ITAP brochure (PDF 1.2 MB), or call Kevin Galvin (408) 265-2607, ext. 2639.

Promoting an ethic of water efficiency.