WaterWise Training Incentives
Professional Certification Incentives
Greeley Water Conservation will reimburse landscape and irrigation professionals 100% the cost of all training registration, class materials, and testing fees at the member level of accredited industry associations for any of the qualifying certifications listed below within the last year. Passing exam results or issued certificates are required for all incentives, and reimbursement is subject to availability of funds. Certification documentation submitted must include an issue date or expiration date.
Professional Certification Application
Qualifying Certifications:
Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper (QWEL)
The QWEL program is a US EPA WaterSense labeled professional certification in irrigation system audits and is designed for making auditing accessible to all landscape professionals. QWEL is a program of the Sonoma-Marin Saving Water Partnership and is available through the many organizations that have adopted the program. Training and certifications are free or low-cost, and annual renewal is free.
Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor (CLIA)
This class through IA is recommended for anyone with one year of irrigation-related work experience who may design, install, and maintain irrigation systems to fully understand how proper design, equipment, and installation affects maintenance, landscape quality, and water conservation. CLIAs understand irrigation audit procedures, soil-plant relationships, irrigation scheduling, and equipment/technology.
Certified Irrigation Technician (CIT)
The CIT through IA is recommended for individuals with 6 months or 1,000 hours of irrigation-related field experience. CITs must know the limitations of different piping systems and understand basic hydraulics. They can lay out and install irrigation piping and water delivery components, backflow prevention components as well as mechanical, hydraulic, and electrical irrigation controls, as well as other irrigation system components. CITs troubleshoot and repair irrigation components and systems.
Landscape Industry Certified Technician (LICT) – Exterior
Landscape professionals must choose the irrigation module to qualify. Available through NALP or ALCC, this certification is designed for experienced and knowledgeable technicians working in the installation and maintenance of irrigation systems. LICTs understand how to read irrigation plans, basic electrical and pressure components and principles, irrigation installation, wiring, adjusting, troubleshooting, and winterizing. They know how to use and program irrigation equipment efficiently.
Certified Irrigation Contractor (CIC)
The CIC through IA is recommended for individuals with three years of irrigation-related field experience. CICs are knowledgeable in irrigation design, installation, scheduling, water management and conservation, maintenance and repair, federal laws and codes, and general business management. They can troubleshoot and repair irrigation components and systems. CICs understand good business practices, construction contracts, their legal rights and obligations, and licensing laws and codes in their state.
Certified Irrigation Designer (CID)
The CID through IA is recommended for individuals with three years of irrigation-related experience or education in an irrigation-related field. Certification ensures the professionals are knowledgeable in irrigation equipment, hydraulics, system components, scheduling, precipitation, and application rates, spacing, soil-water-plant relationships, efficiency/uniformity, economics, and pumps. CIDs must be able to evaluate site conditions, develop efficient and cost-effective irrigation designs that meet plants’ watering requirements, prepare comprehensive plans, specifications, and schedules, and ensure the installation matches the design intent.
Watershed Wise Landscaping Professional (WWLP)
This option is recommended for irrigation designers and installation professionals, landscape architects, and landscape construction professionals. Available through Green Gardener Group (G3)’s, this US EPA WaterSense recognized certification focuses on building living soil, selecting climate appropriate plants, using rainwater as a resource, and irrigating as efficiently as possible.
Sustainable Landscape Management (SLM)
This introductory ALCC class is recommended for all existing landscapers as well and those new to the industry. This course is intended to give the tech a holistic view of the entire landscape and how each area can affect other areas. This is a four-hour class covering everything from soils to plants to irrigation. An open-book test follows.