Definitions. Definitions used in this chapter are as follows:
Applied Water:
The portion of water supplied by the irrigation system to
the landscape.
Automatic Irrigation Controller:
A device used to remotely control valves that operate an
irrigation system. Automatic irrigation controllers are able to self-adjust
and schedule irrigation events using either evapotranspiration (weather-based)
or soil moisture data.
Backflow Prevention Device:
An approved device installed to District standards which
will prevent backflow or back-siphonage into the potable water system.
Booster Pumps:
A water pump used where the normal water system pressure
is low and needs to be increased.
Bubblers:
Irrigation heads that produce a large volume of output, measured
in gallons per minute (gpm) that flood the soil area surrounding the
bubbler head.
Check Valve or Anti-Drain Valve:
A valve located under a sprinkler head, or other location
in the irrigation system, to hold water in the system to prevent drainage
from sprinkler heads when the sprinkler is off.
Compost:
The decayed remains of organic matter that has rotted into
a natural fertilizer suitable as a soil amendment to enhance plant
growth.
Developed Landscape Area:
All outdoor areas under irrigation, swimming pools, and water
features, but excluding hardscape areas.
Drip Irrigation:
Any non-spray low volume irrigation system utilizing emission
devices with a flow rate measured in gallons per hour. Low volume
irrigation systems are specifically designed to apply small volumes
of water slowly at or near the root zone of plants.
Effective Precipitation (Eppt):
The portion of total rainfall which becomes available for
plant growth and that is used by the plants, defined as an average
of 25% of total rainfall.
Emitter:
A drip irrigation device that delivers water slowly from
the system to the soil.
Established Landscape:
The point at which plants in the landscape have developed
significant root growth into the soil. Typically, most plants are
established after one or two years of growth.
ET Adjustment Factor (ETAF):
A factor of 0.55 for residential areas and 0.45 for non-residential
areas, that, when applied to reference evapotranspiration as measured
by a CIMIS weather station, or equivalent, adjusts for plant factors
and irrigation efficiency, two major influences upon the amount of
water that needs to be applied to the landscape. The ETAF for new
and existing (non-rehabilitated) Special Landscape Areas shall not
exceed 1.0. The ETAF for existing non-rehabilitated landscapes is
0.8.
Evapotranspiration Rate:
The quantity of water evaporated from adjacent soil and other
surfaces and transpired by plants during a specific specified time.
Flow Rate:
The rate at which water flows through pipes, and valves and
emission devices, measured in gallons per minute, gallons per hour,
or cubic feet per second.
Flow Sensor:
An inline device installed at the supply point of the irrigation
sys-tem that produces a repeatable signal proportional to flow rate.
Flow sensors must be connected to an automatic irrigation controller,
or flow monitor capable of receiving flow signals and operating master
valves. This combination flow sensor/controller may also function
as a landscape water meter or submeter.
Friable:
A soil condition that is easily crumbled or loosely compacted
down to a minimum depth per planting material requirements, whereby
the root structure of newly planted material will be allowed to spread
unimpeded.
Graywater:
Untreated wastewater that has not been contaminated by any
toilet discharge, has not been affected by infectious, contaminated,
or unhealthy bodily wastes, and does not present a threat from contamination
by unhealthful processing, manufacturing, or operating wastes. Graywater
includes, but is not limited to, wastewater from bathtubs, showers,
bathroom washbasins, clothes washing machines, and laundry tubs, but
does not include wastewater from kitchen sinks or dishwashers.
Hardscape:
Impermeable areas including patios, decks and paths, driveways
and sidewalks.
Head-to-Head Coverage:
A high-flow irrigation system designed to provide an irrigation
spray pattern that delivers water from one sprinkler head to the next.
High-Efficiency Fixture(s):
High efficiency fixtures shall, at a minimum, meet the current
requirements of the WaterSense labeling program and those of the California
Department of Water Resources and the District.
High-Efficiency Irrigation Controller:
An electronic device that controls the amount of time and
frequency of operation for an irrigation system and adjusts automatically
to compensate for the seasonal plant water requirements at the site
(commonly referred to as weather-based irrigation controllers).
High-Efficiency Irrigation System:
An irrigation system connected to a water ser-vice where
the overall distribution uniformity (how evenly water is distributed
across the irrigated landscape area) is a minimum of 75% for overhead
spray devices and 85% for drip and bubbler systems, and the volume
of water used is consistent with seasonal plant requirements as defined
by the District.
High Volume Irrigation:
An irrigation device or system that delivers water to the
landscape in a spray, stream-like, or flooding manner from above-ground
irrigation nozzles with output expressed in gallons per minute (including
many bubblers and micro-spray devices).
High-Water-Use Plants:
Annuals, plants in containers, and plants identified as high-water-use
in the current edition of the WUCOLS list published by the U.C. Extension.
High-water-using plants are characterized by high transpiration rates,
shallow rooting, the need for frequent watering during summer months
or with exposure to hot and drying climatic conditions.
Hydrozones:
A distinct grouping of plants with similar water needs and
climatic requirements. Hydrozone types include, but are not limited
to, turf, high-water-use plants, low-water-use plants, microclimates
(i.e., sun or shade, southern or northern exposures, surrounded by
highly reflective surfaces), and partially hardscaped areas with plants,
pool areas and water-use features.
Infiltration Rate:
The rate of water entry into the soil expressed as a depth
of water per unit of time (e.g., inches per hour).
Invasive Plant Species:
Species of plants not historically found in California and/or
that spread outside cultivated areas and can damage environmental
or economic resources as determined by Cal-IPC (
www.cal-ipc.org) and the District.
Irrigation Design Capacity:
The maximum amount of water calculated to flow through an
irrigation system, or section of a system, based on pipe size, pipe
material, and operating pressure.
Irrigation Efficiency (IE):
A calculated measurement of the amount of water beneficially
used divided by the amount of water applied. Irrigation efficiency
is derived from measurements and estimates of irrigation system characteristics
and management practices. The irrigation efficiency for purposes of
this chapter is 0.75 for overhead spray devices and 0.85 for drip
and bubbler systems.
Isolation Valves:
Used to isolate and shut-off water to a portion of the piping
system.
Landscape Agent:
The consumer's designated representative for interacting
with the District on landscape plan reviews.
Landscape Area:
All the planting areas, turf areas, and water features in
a landscape design plan subject to the Maximum Applied Water Allowance
calculation. The landscape area does not include footprints of buildings
or structures, sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, decks, patios,
gravel or stone walks, other pervious or non-pervious hardscapes,
and other non-irrigated areas designated for non-development (e.g.,
open spaces and existing native vegetation).
Landscape Plans:
This includes a planting plan, an irrigation plan, and a
grading plan drawn at the same scale and that clearly and accurately
identify specified plants, irrigation layout, equipment, finish grades
and drainage, specifications and construction details, plan sheet
numbers, and drawing date of plans.
Landscape Water Budget:
The amount of water allowed for landscape water use at a
site, adjusted on a seasonal basis, as determined by the District.
Landscape Water Meter:
An inline device installed at the irrigation supply point
that measures the flow of water into the irrigation system and is
connected to a totalizer to record water use.
Lateral Line:
Non-pressurized pipe that is located downstream of an irrigation
valve.
Low-Head Drainage:
Water that flows out of the system after the valve turns
off due to elevation changes within the system.
Low Volume Irrigation:
Irrigation devices, commonly called drip or point-source
irrigation, with output measured and typically expressed in gallons
per hour (gph), that apply water directly to soil in the plants' root
zone.
Low-Water-Use Plants:
Plants identified as low-water-use in the current edition
of the Water Use Classification of Species list published by the U.C.
Extension. (Typically, plants that once established can survive on
two irrigations per month during the summer months).
Main Line:
The pressurized pipeline that delivers water from the water
source to the valve or outlet.
Master Valve:
An automatic valve installed at the irrigation supply point
which controls water flow into the irrigation system. When this valve
is closed water will not be supplied to the irrigation system. A master
valve will greatly reduce any water loss due to a break, leak, or
other malfunction in the irrigation system.
Median:
An area between opposing lanes of traffic that may be unplanted
or planted.
Microclimate:
The climate of a specific area in the landscape that has
substantially differing sun exposure, temperature, or wind, or proximity
to reflective surfaces than adjacent areas or the area as a whole.
Moderate Water Use Plants:
Ornamental trees, shrubs, ground covers, and perennials and
other plants recognized as moderate-water-use by WUCOLS.
Mulch:
Any organic material such as leaves, bark, straw, compost
or other inorganic mineral materials such as rocks, gravel, and decomposed
granite left loose and applied to the soil surface for the beneficial
purposes of reducing evaporation, suppressing weeds, moderating soil
temperature and preventing soil erosion.
New Construction:
Any new landscape area such as a planter, lawn, swimming
pool, park, playground, or greenbelt with or without a new building
associated with the project.
Nonfunctional Turf:
Any turf planted within nonresidential landscapes, excluding
recreational areas, and other areas where the turf is necessary for
the intended function of the planted area and no alternative materials
are suitable for the anticipated site use.
Nonresidential Landscape:
Landscapes in commercial, institutional, industrial and public
settings that may have areas designated for recreation or public assembly.
It also includes portions of common areas of common interest developments,
such as home owners associations, with designated recreational areas.
Overspray:
Water delivered by an irrigation system outside the targeted
landscape area during average operating conditions onto any adjacent
hardscapes or other nonlandscaped areas during an irrigation cycle.
Pervious:
Any surface or material that allows the passage of water
through the material and into the underlying soil.
Plant Factor:
A factor specified in WUCOLS that, when multiplied by reference
evapotranspiration (ETo), estimates the amount of water used by specified
plants.
Project Applicant:
The individual or entity submitting a Landscape Documentation
Package, to request a permit, plan check or design review from the
local agency. A project applicant may be the property owner or his
or her designee.
Property:
Any structure, including, but not limited to, single-family
residential, multi-family residential and floating homes, built and/or
intended primarily for sheltering or housing of any person and ancillary
structures thereto.
Property Owner:
A person or entity that owns or has the financial authority
or control over the property to comply with the requirements set forth
in this chapter.
Rain Sensor:
A system component which automatically shuts off and suspends
the irrigation system when it rains.
Recreational Area:
Areas dedicated to active play or recreation such as sports
fields, school yards, picnic grounds, or other areas with intense
foot traffic, parks, sports fields and golf courses where turf provides
a playing surface.
Recycled Water:
Tertiary treated water which results from the treatment of
wastewater, is suitable for direct beneficial use, and conforms to
the definition of disinfected tertiary recycled water in accordance
with state law.
Reference Evapotranspiration or ETo:
A standard measurement of environmental parameters which
affect the water use of plants and are an estimate of the evapotranspiration
of a large field of four to seven-inch tall, cool-season grass that
is well watered.
Rehabilitated Landscape:
Any re-landscaping project that requires a building or grading
permit, plan check or design review.
Residential Customer:
The person(s) or entity with an existing water service connection
for a residential property.
Runoff:
Irrigation water that is not absorbed by the soil or landscape
area to which it is applied and which flows onto other non-targeted
areas, including runoff into storm drain systems.
Soil Texture:
The classification of soil based on its percentage of sand,
silt, and clay.
Soils Laboratory Report:
The analysis of a soil sample to determine nutrient con-tent,
composition and other characteristics, including contaminants, for
horticultural purposes.
Special Landscape Area (SLA):
An area of the landscape dedicated solely to edible plants,
areas irrigated with recycled water, water features using recycled
water and areas dedicated to active play such as parks, sports fields,
golf courses, and where turf provides a playing surface.
Sprinkler Head:
A high-volume irrigation device that delivers water to the
landscape through a spray nozzle.
Station:
An area served by one valve or by a set of valves that operate
simultaneously.
Submeter:
A separate meter that is located on the private side of the
water system and is plumbed to measure all water that flows only through
the irrigation system. This meter is to be used by the owner to monitor
irrigation water use and will not be read or maintained by the District.
Swing Joint:
An irrigation component that provides a flexible, leak-free
connection between the emission device and lateral pipeline to allow
movement in any direction and to prevent equipment damage.
Turf:
A mat layer of monocotyledonous plants with shallow rooting
structures requiring frequent watering during the growing season;
i.e., cool or warm season grass consisting of, but not limited to,
Blue, Rye, Fescue, Bent, Bermuda, Kikuyu, St. Augustine, Zoysia, and
Buffalo.
Valve:
A device used to control the flow of water in the irrigation
system.
Valve Manifold:
A one-piece manifold for use in a sprinkler valve assembly
that includes an intake pipe having a water inlet and a plurality
of ports adapted for fluid connection to inlets.
Water Budget:
An allocation of water based on plant water needs, used to
determine the billing tiers for customers with dedicated landscape
irrigation meters, for example.
Water Feature:
A design element where open water performs an aesthetic or
recreational function. Water features include ponds, lakes, waterfalls,
fountains, artificial streams, spas and swimming pools (where water
is artificially supplied). The surface area of water features is included
in the high water use hydrozone of the landscape area.
WUCOLS:
The most current Water Use Classification of Landscape Species
published by the University of California Cooperative Extension, the
Department of Water Resources and the Bureau of Reclamation.