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GMC Academy
GMC Academy was developed to create the opportunity for public agency personnel to expand their knowledge of sustainable topics, earn CEUs in their respective industry and become stewards of water.
The Basics of Evaluating Residential Indoor and Outdoor Water Use
The RWS workshop consists of training water agency personnel to assess residential landscape and irrigation conditions as well as to evaluate indoor and outdoor water use. Attendees will learn how to conduct a full water use survey and how to communicate major problems to the homeowner during an evaluation. A well-trained surveyor will be able to communicate water use deficiencies and provide water use efficiency tips. This two-day workshop will also cover how to create a survey report.
Day 1 takes place in a classroom-like setting with a PowerPoint presentation and a handbook for note taking. The hosting agency must provide this setting; GMC will provide the handbook. The GMC instructor will cover procedures on conducting an RWS. The indoor portion will cover kitchen faucets, dishwashers, reverse osmosis systems (if any); bathroom faucets, showerheads, toilets; water heaters, water treatment systems (if any); and laundry room appliances such as washing machines and utility sinks. The outdoor portion will focus on landscape material such as turf v. planters in comparison to square footage; irrigation system sprinkler, valve and controller efficiency; water meters; and pool conditions (if any). A quiz will be provided for review and in preparation for Day 2.
Main Topics:
• Keys to excellent customer service
• Importance of properly gathering site information
• How to communicate major problems to the homeowner
during the survey
• How to develop and deliver reports to customers in a timely
manner after the site visit
• Tips on what local water use info to distribute and how to
best disseminate that info
Day 2 takes place at a residential site. The hosting agency must provide this setting. The homeowner must be present and there should be a working irrigation system on the property. Participants will conduct hands-on exercises so they should wear comfortable shoes and attire. The group will conduct a full indoor and outdoor survey from start to finish with the instructor’s guidance. Participants must bring their handbooks from Day 1. The hypothetical survey will help connect the lessons to the actual practice for an optimum learning experience.
Day 1 takes place in a classroom-like setting with a PowerPoint presentation and a handbook for note taking. The hosting agency must provide this setting; GMC will provide the handbook. The GMC instructor will cover procedures on conducting an RWS. The indoor portion will cover kitchen faucets, dishwashers, reverse osmosis systems (if any); bathroom faucets, showerheads, toilets; water heaters, water treatment systems (if any); and laundry room appliances such as washing machines and utility sinks. The outdoor portion will focus on landscape material such as turf v. planters in comparison to square footage; irrigation system sprinkler, valve and controller efficiency; water meters; and pool conditions (if any). A quiz will be provided for review and in preparation for Day 2.
Main Topics:
• Keys to excellent customer service
• Importance of properly gathering site information
• How to communicate major problems to the homeowner
during the survey
• How to develop and deliver reports to customers in a timely
manner after the site visit
• Tips on what local water use info to distribute and how to
best disseminate that info
Day 2 takes place at a residential site. The hosting agency must provide this setting. The homeowner must be present and there should be a working irrigation system on the property. Participants will conduct hands-on exercises so they should wear comfortable shoes and attire. The group will conduct a full indoor and outdoor survey from start to finish with the instructor’s guidance. Participants must bring their handbooks from Day 1. The hypothetical survey will help connect the lessons to the actual practice for an optimum learning experience.
Commercial, Industrial and Institutional (CII) Water Audit The Basics of Auditing CII Facility Water Use
CII water customers account for a large percentage of water use. These types of customers can be difficult to engage with traditional conservation programs. GMC offers the CII workshop to help agencies serve the CII sector. This training teaches agency personnel how to conduct a basic CII water use audit. This is a one-day course packed with useful and practical information. The curriculum assumes basic water conservation knowledge. Detailed technical knowledge is not required.
Main Topics:
• General discussion of CII water use
• The value of water audits for the sector and for
agencies
• Types of CII facilities and categories of water-using technology
• The Nine Basic Steps of CII Auditing
• The Tenth Step: Follow-up
• Water-using fixtures and processes
• Current standard technology
• Water-efficient technology
• Landscape water use and opportunitie
• CII audit report
Main Topics:
• General discussion of CII water use
• The value of water audits for the sector and for
agencies
• Types of CII facilities and categories of water-using technology
• The Nine Basic Steps of CII Auditing
• The Tenth Step: Follow-up
• Water-using fixtures and processes
• Current standard technology
• Water-efficient technology
• Landscape water use and opportunitie
• CII audit report
The Basics of Evaluating Landscape and Irrigation Conditions
LL survey training consists of preparing agency staff to evaluate landscape and irrigation conditions. Participants learn to educate property owners/managers on landscape management and water use efficiency. Providing a long-term landscape maintenance plan and valuable water management recommendations is essential to making a site’s overall outdoor water use more efficient and manageable. The workshop is one day of training, consisting of an in-class presentation and a full outdoor evaluation of an irrigation system and landscape. Attendees will learn the importance of identifying plant types, irrigation system components and the problems that can occur. Attendees will learn to conduct a full outdoor survey from start to finish.
Main Topics:
• The importance of gathering site information properly
• How to communicate major irrigation and landscape problems
• How to develop and deliver reports to customers in a timely
manner
• The Attendees will also learn the importance of identifying plant
types, irrigation system components and the problems that can
occur.
Main Topics:
• The importance of gathering site information properly
• How to communicate major irrigation and landscape problems
• How to develop and deliver reports to customers in a timely
manner
• The Attendees will also learn the importance of identifying plant
types, irrigation system components and the problems that can
occur.
Understanding Statewide Landscape Design and Irrigation Design Implementation Ordinances
This workshop is to educate agency staff and landscape professionals on MWELO (AB 1881). The key points of discussion are how to minimize overspray and runoff, evaluate and select drought-tolerant and California native plants, water-efficient irrigation equipment/technologies, develop irrigation schedules and water use budgets according to new water use requirements (MAWA and ETWU). The GMC instructor will also cover how to make soil assessments/analysis and soil management plants, develop an ongoing landscape maintenance and horticultural practices plan, and encourage design features for rainwater and onsite irrigation capture and retention.
Main Topics:
• The importance of following Ordinance guidelines
• The importance of properly gathering site information
• How to communicate major irrigation and landscape
problems to customers
• How to develop and deliver reports to customers in a timely
manner
• Identifying plant types, irrigation system components and the
problems that can occur
For more information on AB 1881, please click link below.
Main Topics:
• The importance of following Ordinance guidelines
• The importance of properly gathering site information
• How to communicate major irrigation and landscape
problems to customers
• How to develop and deliver reports to customers in a timely
manner
• Identifying plant types, irrigation system components and the
problems that can occur
For more information on AB 1881, please click link below.
Contact us if you would like to schedule a class.
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