Category: WaterSense - BWTL

Episode 7 - Professional Certifications and Licensing

10/24/2016

Clover Belluz, CIT
Professional Development Director

Episode Highlights

[1:49] We have yet another guest this episode - Irrigation Association Professional Development Director, Clover Belluz, joins us to share her expertise on professional certifications.
- Making sure the professionals dealing with irrigation have a certain amount of training and education to do the work.
[4:00] Quick update on the state of licensing for professional services, specifically as related to irrigation- Landscape irrigation contracting is licensed in a handful of states.
- Licensing exists to protect the public heath, welfare and safety.
- As the state of North Carolina works on professional licensing bills aimed at decreasing the number of professions that require a license, theNorth Carolina Irrigation Contractors' Licensing Board has been included in a draft elimination bill.
- Irrigation licensing by state - only 12 states have some form of licensing for irrigation professionals.
- North Carolina and New Jersey use the IA's Certified Irrigation Contractor test to license individuals.
[7:29] Overview of Irrigation Association Certification Programs - on thelandscape irrigation side, the IA has the following:
- Certified Irrigation Technician
- Certified Irrigation Contractor (CIC is a nationally accredited certification)
- Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor
- Certified Golf Irrigation Auditor
- Certified Irrigation Designer
- Certified Landscape Water Managers
[12:04] Brent Mecham, CAIS, CGIA, CIC, CID, CIT, CLIA, CLWM - Brent, of course, has nearly every certification, as shown here.
[13:40] WaterSense labels IA certifications - CIC, CID, CLIA and CGIA are the four certifications labeled by WaterSense. Individuals holding one of these certifications, holds a certification labeled by WaterSense.
[14:12] Codes and certified professionals - Green codes and standards are about protecting environmental resources (energy, water, air) by encouraging that those doing irrigation have the skills, knowledge and expertise.
[16:41] Why do people get certified? - To gain an edge on competition, helps people stay up-to-date on new technologies and practices in the industry, and because it is a good confirmation of professionalism.
[18:33] The Irrigation Association Certification Board - an independent board that meets every two weeks by phone and works to ensure all certifications are up-to-date.
[21:39] How do individuals maintain their IA certifications? - Once certified there is a annual renewal fee and a continuing education requirement. This education requirement of 20 CEUs every two years is one of the higher bars set by certifications in the industry.
[26:07] Congrats! You made it to the end - now to introduce the famous Mr. Fuzz.

The famous @Mr.Fuzz

Episode 3 - Have you heard of WaterSense?

9/26/2016

From EPA's WaterSense Accomplishments 2015

Episode Highlights

[1:26] In the News - Nestlé outbids small Ontario municipality to buy well for bottled water.
[4:49] Introduction to WaterSense
[9:51] WaterSense Accomplishments of 2015
- WaterSense Labeled Products currently include shower heads, toilets, faucets, landscape irrigation controllers, urinals, pre-rinse spray valves and flushometer-valve toilets.
- WaterSense is currently working to label water softeners, soil-moisture based irrigation control technologies and landscape irrigation sprinklers.
- [12:02] WaterSense also labels certifications for landscape irrigation contractors.
- [12:30] WaterSense started in 2006 - Began under a Republican administration and was continued under the Obama administration.
- [13:37] John walks you through the above graphic showing total water savings through WaterSense.
[17:42] Congressional authorization of WaterSense - WaterSense is a successful EPA program but congressional authorization would allow it to become a formal program and receive dedicated annual funding through congressional appropriations bill.
[18:23] WaterSense in action - We discuss our experience using (or not yet using) WaterSense products in our homes. Head to our comment sections to let us know what WaterSense labeled products you currently use!
[22:41] The history of WaterSense - The irrigation and plumbing industries were part of the original stakeholder meetings in 2004.
- It wasn't products they labeled first, it was people.
[25:35] New Homes Program - WaterSense labeled home are designed to reduce water use and must meet specific indoor and outdoor criteria for water efficiency.
[28:02] The irrigation controller - These products try to estimate how much water really needs to be applied by taking into account where a plant's exposure to sunshine, wind and rain.
- Weather-based controllers also have the name "smart controllers" because of how they operate.
[30:14] To learn more about irrigation controllers, go to swatirrigation.org.
[33:30] Status of legislation that would authorize WaterSense - Well, we almost went an entire episode without talking some politics. Don't worry though, no presidential politics today. Listen to find out more about the status of congressional authorization and read our latest press release on authorization available here.