Sacramento - The California Landscape Contractors Association (CLCA) will conduct a Water Management Certification training and test for southern California landscape industry professionals and anyone who wants to learn to manage landscape water usage on Wednesday, January 13, 2010 from 9am - 3:00pm at Las Virgenes Municipal Water District (LVMWD) Headquarters, 4232 Las Virgenes Road, Calabasas, CA 91302.

"We're very pleased to host CLCA certification and testing," said John. R. Mundy, general manager of LVMWD. "Intelligent outdoor water use is key to making the most of our limited water resources. CLCA certification can provide the public with a recognized standard of expertise when selecting a landscape contractor."

In February 2009, CLCA introduced its Water Management Certification Program which helps meet the need to reduce landscape water usage by learning to work with advanced irrigation technology and a water budget. 

The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) recently released an updated Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance to assist local governments in reducing water waste in landscapes. California's cities and counties have until January 1, 2010 to adopt the updated Model Ordinance or one that is "at least as effective".

This new regulation sets a specific water budget for affected new and existing landscapes based on regional climate and square footage.  It also requires "state of the art" water conservation for all new landscapes. Lester Snow, Director of DWR recently said, "After three years of dry weather, we are preparing for the likelihood that we are entering a fourth year of drought in 2010. Regardless of the weather outcome, it is critical that Californians continue to conserve as much water as we can to help stretch our water supply."

CLCA's Water Management Training and Certification also carries 3 CEUs for PLANET certifications. "Our Water Management Certification Program is just one of the many ways our industry can help during the current water crisis.  We are also a resource for sustainable landscaping, grasscycling, erosion, fire retardant plant choices, drip irrigation and much more. We are looking to work with cities, counties and water districts throughout the state of California to help provide them resources to help manage our state's drought conditions," said Sharon McGuire, Executive Director of the CLCA.

CLCA's Water Management Certification Program was made possible through the support of Ewing Irrigation Products, Toro Company, Hunter Industries, and Horizon Distributors Inc. who share a strong commitment to water conservation. Tests and training classes are conducted by CLCA throughout California; schedules are updated regularly. To enroll for the upcoming training and test on January 13, candidates should contact David Silva at 916-830-2780 or by email at davidsilva@clca.org.  Additional test dates and locations are available at: www.clca.us/water

Las Virgenes Municipal Water District provides potable water, wastewater services, recycled water and biosolids composting for more than 65,000 residents in the cities of Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Westlake Village, and Hidden Hills, as well as unincorporated portions of western Los Angeles County.