Expanding upon our 30 years of creating elegant, water efficient landscapes, we introduce a new division wholly dedicated to water conservation: Equinox H20
Equinox H20 is our call to action, to turn the climate crisis into an opportunity to live in harmony with the earth, even as our earth changes before our very eyes. We bring decades of knowledge and experience to demonstrate how conserving water doesn’t mean sacrificing beauty. How harvesting rainwater, recycling greywater and smartly irrigating is a restorative journey to conserve every sacred drop. Join us on this journey…
Drought Resilient Landscapes
Plants native to Northern California and other Mediterranean climates are naturally adapted to our seasonally dry conditions. We embrace colorful, multi-textured drought resilient plants such as:
- lavender, sages and other aromatics
- California poppy
- olive trees
- Ceanothus (California lilac)
- Manzanita
- sedums and other succulents
- native grasses
Our award-winning design and installation teams craft gardens that, once established, consume minimal water while flourishing with abundance. And Equinox H20 is in the forefront of the lawn conversion movement: our clients realize huge water savings by replacing water guzzling turf lawns with eye-catching shrubs, grasses and ground covers that take mere sips.
Smart Irrigation Systems
One-third of all urban water goes to landscapes, most of which is lawn. But even the most drought resilient gardens require some seasonal irrigation, and Equinox H20 staff is trained to meet your specialized irrigation needs.
- Most outdoor plants are over-watered by 30 to 40 percent. We employ smart timers with on-site sensors that serve as mini weather stations, reading current weather conditions and sensing moisture levels. Your landscaping is watered only when needed, and with just the right amount. No more guesswork!
- For clients who still desire some green lawn in their landscaping, we offer the Eco-Mat sub-surface irrigation system. This underground drip system virtually eliminates evaporative water loss and uses one-quarter the water of a typical lawn irrigation system.
- We conduct irrigation audits to measure and analyze your landscape’s particular water needs, and to check for inefficiencies such as leaks, blockages or broken pipes. Our staff is certified by the EPA’s Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper program (QWEL).
Rainwater Harvesting
Clean water falls on your property every rainy season, free of charge. Most of it runs off into storm drains. Why not capture it and use it? Equinox H20 designs and builds rainwater harvesting systems for your specific needs.
- Our systems are designed to seamlessly integrate with your city tap or well, providing hassle-free irrigation during the dry season.
- Above or below ground storage tanks come in a range of sizes and designs.
- Water can be collected and stored in unobtrusive below ground basins, or lushly vegetated ponds.
Did you know that a 1,000 sq. ft. roof collects 625 gallons of water with only one inch of rain? When combined with drought resilient plantings and a properly sized collection system, it is possible to irrigate entirely with rainwater!
Greywater Reuse: Laundry to Landscape
Of all the water-saving measures a homeowner can take, a laundry-to-landscape greywater system is the smartest. It doesn’t need permits, requires little maintenance and is ongoing due the continuous creation of greywater in our homes year round. Laundry-to-landscape greywater systems route water from the washing machine out into mulch basins that surround the roots of trees, shrubs and perennials that need watering. A hand-activated 3-way valve allows homeowners to decide when the greywater goes to the garden or to the sewer.
Wildfire Preparedness
Peak fire season, once a distinct three-month period, now starts earlier in the summer and stretches well into the historically wet autumn months. Having an on-site emergency water supply gives many homeowners peace of mind. To conserve tap or well water, we design and install rainwater harvesting systems, with at least 3–5,000 gallons dedicated for emergency use. We take all factors into consideration: where the water source is located for emergency access, as well as proper plumbing of valves, pumps and piping.
Earthworks
Earthworks is an ancient strategy of directing and collecting rainwater through the topography of the soil. Earthworks incorporates the use of swales, berms and basins, contour plantings and vernal ponds to slow water, spread it out and sink it into the soil. It can be the cheapest and most effective way to slash water bills, reduce the use of nonrenewable water supplies, decrease down-slope flooding, and improve water quality.
Rain Gardens
While the term rain garden may conjure up images of ponds and waterfalls, a rain garden is actually a garden that is designed to capture run-off from impervious surfaces such as parking lots, rooftops and patios and filter contaminants through its soil and plantings. A rain garden can be a beautiful addition to a landscape with many benefits: it cuts down on the need for irrigation, helps raise the aquifer and reduces the amount of pollutants reaching creeks, streams and the Bay.
Equinox H20 is committed to re-thinking our water consumption patterns, without sacrificing aesthetics or convenience. If you too want to conserve every sacred drop, call us for more information at 707-789-9786.