California is taking additional steps to address its enduring water challenges with Assembly Bill 1572, which took effect on January 1, 2024. This law intends to target a specific area of water consumption, the irrigation of non-functional turf using potable water.
AB 1572 prohibits the use of drinking water on ornamental grass at commercial, industrial, and institutional properties, as well as in common areas managed by Homeowners Associations (HOAs). "Non-functional turf" refers to grass areas that serve no recreational or practical community purpose, such as the decorative strips along sidewalks or found in commercial courtyards. The legislation calls out that maintaining these aesthetic-only areas with precious potable water is unsustainable. Notably, the law exempts residential lawns, sports fields, parks, and any turf irrigated with recycled or other non-potable water sources.
Reshaping the Landscape Industry: Challenges and Avenues for Growth
AB 1572 brings substantial changes for California's landscape sector, necessitating a shift in design philosophy and operational practices:
Transition to Water-Wise Designs:
The most direct impact is the move away from expansive, purely ornamental lawns. Landscape professionals will increasingly focus on designing and installing water-efficient landscapes that feature drought-tolerant plants, California native species, and alternatives such as hardscaping.
Emphasis on Efficient Irrigation:
Advanced irrigation technologies, such as smart controllers that adjust based on weather and soil moisture, along with drip irrigation, will become standard practice to maximize water efficiency and comply with the new regulations. Landscapers will then need to adjust their other technologies accordingly to ensure compatibility with these new approaches, using biostimulants and other technologies with flexible application practices.
Client Engagement and Education:
A key role for landscape professionals will be shepherding their clients through this transition. Landscapers will need to update clients on the requirements of AB 1572, establish the value proposition of water-efficient landscapes (including reduced water costs and maintenance), and create and educate on new best practices.
New Opportunities:
This shift, however, also opens doors for new enhancement work, new construction opportunities, innovation in landscape design, the installation of sustainable features, and the promotion of landscapes that are both beautiful and ecologically responsible.
This evolution requires being adaptive, offering an opportunity for the green industry to lead in creating more resilient and resource-conscious outdoor spaces, thereby furthering the regenerative landscape movement.
Agricultural Water Management: Broader Context and Efficiency Imperatives
While AB 1572’s mandates focus on urban potable water use for specific types of turf, they exist within California's broader narrative of water scarcity. A wider context that continually pressures all major water users, including the agricultural sector, to enhance water use efficiency and explore diverse water sources.
The provisions of AB 1572 do not regulate agricultural water; rather, agricultural users come under the purview of the SGMA (Sustainable Groundwater Management Act). As urban areas curb potable water use for non-essential purposes, the state's overall water management strategies are likely to continue to evolve, and all aspects of growing will face tighter restrictions on water use. Similar to landscapers, farms face a variety of water quality and access issues, including high levels of salinity from recycled water, salt residue from fertilizer and herbicides, surface water, and seawater infiltration into groundwater. These salinity issues only increase as freshwater availability becomes more constrained. Given the pressures of SGMA and AB 1572, the agricultural industry remains at the forefront of water conservation innovation, consistently seeking methods to produce more with less water while facing increasingly challenging standards and water quality issues.
The Role of "Active Fertilizers" in a Water-Conscious Future
In this changing environment, biostimulant technologies such as Upcycle Active, Upcycle Landscape and Upcycle Golf offer valuable support in building plant resilience. These specialized products are designed to enhance a plant's natural physiological processes, improving nutrient uptake, stress tolerance, and overall vigor. As the landscape industry adapts to AB 1572, biostimulants that activate plants and optimize fertility will be particularly beneficial.
Facilitating Plant Establishment:
New drought-tolerant plantings can significantly benefit from biostimulants like Upcycle Active, which promote robust root development. Stronger roots enable plants to access available soil moisture and nutrients more effectively, leading to quicker, more successful establishment with reduced water inputs.
Improving Soil Conditions:
Many biostimulants contribute to better soil structure and microbial health. Healthier soils tend to have improved water infiltration and retention, which reduces irrigation demands and supports plant resilience.
Aiding Agriculture, Especially with Variable Water Quality:
Should the agricultural sector encounter situations requiring the use of water with increased salinity, Upcycle Active formulations can play a key role in mitigating potential negative impacts. These work by upregulating, or activating, the genes in plants that build stress resistance.
Enhancing Salt Tolerance:
Additionally, these technologies can help plants better cope with the stress caused by higher salt concentrations in irrigation water and may assist in nutrient acquisition under saline conditions or support mechanisms that allow plants to manage salt concentrations more effectively.
By focusing on enhancing plant performance and soil health, Upcycle Active technology aligns with the overarching goals of sustainable resource management.
Embracing Adaptation and Innovation
AB 1572 is another component of California's comprehensive strategy to build a resilient water future, for both the landscape and agricultural industries, adaptation and innovation are paramount. Embracing water-efficient practices and leveraging advanced solutions, including active formulations and biostimulants, will be instrumental in maintaining the vitality of California's urban landscapes and the productivity of its agricultural lands.
