Water is an element that is in a perpetual state of change and movement. The water cycle is defined as a constant movement of water; above, below and on the surface of the Earth—it has no beginning and no end. Water can morph into ice, liquid and vapor at any point in the cycle and these transformations can occur in the blink of an eye or over millions of years.

Even though the balance of water on Earth has remained somewhat constant, individual water molecules can shift and change locations quickly. The water on Earth today is the same water used in prehistoric times. In fact, its the same water used by every civilization in history. The water in that Hawaiian pineapple you ate yesterday may have come down as rain in Australia last year or could have been used by dinosaurs 50 million years ago.

Its the only water we have ever had, or ever will have and global demand is as high as ever.

Irrigation accounts for about a third of water use on the planet and is currently the largest use of water in the United States. Living in Ventura County we are familiar with how water is used in agricultural applications like growing crops, frost protection, chemical applications and weed control, but beyond that a significant portion is used to keep areas such as home landscapes, parks and golf courses lush, green and aesthetically pleasing.

In the past, most irrigation in the world drew from surface water rather than ground water. However, the percentage of total irrigation use from ground water wells has continued to grow, from 23 percent in 1950 to 44 percent in 2005. Between 1950 and 1995 the amount of acres irrigated more than doubled and has even increased an additional two percent in the ten years that followed. Nationally, the number of residential acres irrigated with sprinkler and micro-irrigation systems has continued to increase and now accounts for more than half the total irrigated acreage.

Recent drought conditions throughout the United States and certain parts of the planet, coupled with poor resource management and pollution, have laid the foundation for a definite crisis unless habits and attitudes change quickly.

It is time to get serious about water conservation and resource management.

As temperatures increase, so does the need for irrigation. More than 70 percent of the water consumed in homes is for outdoor usage. Here are some tips on how to be water smart, while still keeping your landscapes beautiful:

· Dont just "set and forget" irrigation timers. Different plants require different watering times, particularly as seasons change. Its easy to vary the watering schedules on controllers.

· It may seem simple to leave irrigation scheduling to your gardener—but without good communication this may lead to over-irrigating. If youd rather not worry about watering schedules, look into "smart" irrigation controllers that set watering cycles automatically by sensing the weather and calculating how quickly plants are "transpiring" or evaporating water back into the atmosphere.

· Be sure that sprinklers are properly adjusted to water plants—not walls or sidewalks. Efficient irrigation should have little or no runoff onto the street or sidewalk. Ask anyone who takes early morning walks about the small rivers flowing down streets from poorly designed or maintained sprinkler systems. Are pop-up heads fully extended? Are rotors too low or too high? Any heads clogged or broken? All of these are water wasters and in some communities result in water run-off fines or penalties.

· Convert traditional pop-up spray nozzles to ultra efficient rotator type nozzles. Proper installation will result in better coverage and less wasted water! Many water agencies offer generous rebates for water efficient products. Unfortunately not all agencies are participating in these incentive programs, so call your local water company to find out

· Be sure irrigation controllers have fresh backup batteries to keep water-saving program settings during power interruptions. Some controllers can default to lengthy schedules if they lose power.

· Consider limiting the size of your turf areas. Turf grass is very needy, consuming up to 5 feet of water annually. Consider converting to "California-friendly" native plants that are attractive, colorful and water wise. They are already adapted to our semi-arid climate.

· . In the event of rain, be prepared with a rain sensor installed on your irrigation timer. The cost is minimal and you wont look silly watering your lawn in the rain!

· Contact your local professional irrigation distributor for the latest water conservation solutions like Moisture Sensors, Smart Controllers, Low Volume Drip, Container Irrigation, Rain Sensors, Fertigation Systems and Central Control Systems.

Everyones firm commitment to water management and conservation is needed. For more information or educational materials, contact your local water agency. Their water management specialists can guide you in all aspects of water conservation. You can also contact me at rvaldivia@ewing1.com and we can point you in the right direction and offer assistance.

Also try the following websites for a wealth of information:

Camrosa Water District - www.camrosa.com

Metropolitan Water District - www.mwdh2o.com

A great site for rebate and conservation info - www.bewaterwise.com

It really is time to get serious about saving water.

Robert Valdivia

Ventura