Aquacents was recently featured on ABC News Arizona 15. See the video below.
College of San Mateo (CSM) is one of 3 Campuses that make up the San Mateo County Community College District (SMCCCD).
The Challenges
In 2017 CSM worked with CLEAResult engineers to conduct an extensive Water Use Evaluation for the CSM Campus, which includes 850,000 sq. ft. of irrigated landscape (approx. 19 acres).
As a benchmark measurement, College of San Mateo utilized 39 million gallons of water in the 12 months prior to the evaluation, with 74% – approx. 29.3 million gallons -utilized in landscape irrigation. The campus had previously upgraded to pressure regulated sprinklers in 2014, but challenged themselves further to find additional, innovative solutions to reduce irrigation water use and costs.
The Solution
Working with Cal Water, who serves 484,900 customers throughout the state, CSM was able to partner on the cost of utilizing Aqua Cents® on 13.3 acres of turf across SMCCCD’s three campus system. Aqua Cents, with its sustained ability to absorb and release stored water, was injected on sports fields, high traffic venues, and essential turf areas that support student relaxation and recreation.
CEO and inventor, Tom DeLany, just returned from a week-long visit to support Likid Eficiencia Hidrica SpA’s launch of Aqua Cents® water-savings technology in Chile. The technology is able to cut water use by up to 50% in turf irrigation by using proprietary technology to inject an organic hydrogel that absorbs up to 400x its weight in water and beneficial soil nutrients, releasing it “on demand” as the root system requires.
“We have been able to deliver Aqua Cents water-savings throughout California over the past few years, and are excited that Likid Eficiencia Hidrica is now able to do the same in Chile. According to studies conducted by the World Resource Institute, Chile is one of the countries with the highest water risk by 2025,” commented Mr. DeLany.
During the launch in Santiago, Aqua Cents® was installed at initial projects including: Fundacion Chile, a public/private Chilean entity that supports the incorporation of new technologies and business areas in Chile; Casa Piedra, an event center with venues for social and sporting events, a Santiago Golf Course, and more.
“We firmly believe that by using technology and education, we can manage our resources in a conscious way, with better results and without sacrificing our future. The ability of Aqua Cents to sustain water savings for periods of 5-7 years makes it a good solution for water conservation and customer value,” explained Felipe Gracia, Likid Eficiencia Hidrica’s general manager.
Aqua Cents® is currently provided exclusively through All Commercial Landscape Services (ACLS), based in Fresno, CA. ACLS has been a recognized landscape contractor in the Central Valley for 30+ years, and has commercially delivered the Aqua Cents solution to sites on the Fresno State Campus, soccer fields and event venues at CSU Northridge, CSU San Marcos, Cal Poly, SLO, and UC Merced. Injections have also been completed for many apartment communities, HOAs, government buildings, hospital complexes, and multiple commercial and residential.
Aqua Cents Water Management is expanding by licensing contractors in the U.S., and internationally, that are looking to deliver a water savings solution with an environmentally friendly service that addresses the increasing need to conserve water, as well as growing regulatory and legislative mandates to implement more effective and efficient means of managing outdoor water use that accounts for 58% of water use nationally.
Initial Aqua Cents Injection: June 8-9, 2017
We visited Maidu Regional Park on October 24, and things are continuing to look great!
The Aqua Cents Field is currently being watered at 33% of recommended ETc. The Control Field is being watered at 100% recommended ETc. This represents a current water savings of 67%, with the expectation that we can continue to reduce irrigation on the Aqua Cents Field vs. the Control Field through April, 2018. Turf on the Aqua Cents Field is exhibiting consistent, healthy growth.
Will continue to reduce irrigation, and monitor through April.
WEEK 20 – CONTROL FIELD 100% ETc
WEEK 20 – AQUA CENTS FIELD 33% ETc
One of the test areas injected with Aqua Cents that is looking green and healthy.
Dave Salter from the City of Roseville reports that their beta test is going well. They have told their irrigation staff to water for the needs of the turf and soil moisture depth on both the test (Aqua Cents) and control areas. As of July 16, the Aqua Cents areas are requiring about 33% less water than the control areas.
Below are photos of the 2 beta areas at Mission Murray and a quick testimonial from Javier Gonzalez:
“We are currently showing roughly 20% water savings on both of the areas here at Mission Murray. We will be collecting data from the past several years and comparing it to the Aqua Cents treated areas in a 52-week trial.”
Before:
During the Process:
Four weeks ago Javier cut the water usage by 50% which led to visual stress caused by the existing irrigation system. Two weeks ago, Javier used a slow release fertilizer and is currently watering at 100% of ETc to get the turf to rebound before we begin cutting the water usage again.
Aqua Cents crew will head to Roseville on June 7 and begin injection of field #3. City of Roseville Parks Supervisor Dave Salter, will have the field mowed on Monday, June 5, along with the irrigation shut off to prep the soil for the injection process. Dave and his crew are looking forward to making Aqua Cents a success at Maidu!
Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo recently had a rodeo in their football/soccer stadium that wreaked havoc on the turf. In 13 days, Aqua Cents helped Ron Ion and his team transform the AG Spanos Stadium turf from ravaged to resplendent after the NIRA Rodeo on April 7 and 8, 2017.
“On April 7 – 8 of 2017, our Cal Poly Rodeo team hosted a rodeo in our football/soccer stadium. A liner was installed over the grass, plywood covered the area, and 200 tons of dirt was placed on top. We were very concerned about having damage from the compaction.
“Jenn Downs from Aqua Cents brought her team and equipment on Monday, April 10th to help us out. The Aqua Cents team was very professional and in two days completed the job of injecting liquid polymers along with a seaweed extract fertilizer.
“Our grass transformed from yellow to green within two weeks. On the April 27, our women’s soccer team had a game on the field followed by a football scrimmage two days later and a men’s soccer game. Our field looks great and I’m sure that Aqua Cents played a major role in such a speedy recovery for our grass.”
Ron Ion – Lead Sports Complex CPSU San Luis Obispo