Edwin Palomino, CIC, CIT, CLIA, has been working in the irrigation industry for more than 15 years. As Branch Manager for Gachina Landscape Management’s San Francisco Branch, he oversees all branch operations, including landscape maintenance, construction and water management services. While his responsibilities span multiple divisions, irrigation and water management remain a his particular passion, as they were the foundation of his career in the landscape industry. He works to keep in communication with irrigation managers through a monthly council meeting where the group discusses new training and material for technicians.
What first pulled you into irrigation—and what’s kept you in it?
What initially drew me into irrigation was the opportunity to learn the science behind how water moves through landscapes. As I pursued certifications such as CIT, CIC, and CLIA through the Irrigation Association, I discovered that irrigation is far more than repairing systems, it’s a blend of soil science, plant water requirements, hydraulics, and technology.
What has kept me engaged is the continuous evolution of the industry. From understanding evapotranspiration (ET) and soil infiltration rates to utilizing weather-based smart controllers and cloud-connected technologies, irrigation combines science, technology, and environmental stewardship in a way that is both challenging and rewarding.
How do you work to be a champion of promoting smart irrigation?
I promote smart irrigation by helping people understand the value of water and the responsibility we have to protect it. Water is a resource many of us take for granted because it is readily available every day. However, if we view water as the precious and limited resource that it truly is, we begin making better decisions about how we use it.
Our landscapes provide more than aesthetics, they create spaces where people gather, relax, and connect with nature. My goal is to ensure those spaces remain healthy and sustainable by implementing smart irrigation technologies, data-driven practices, and water-efficient solutions that reduce waste while maintaining landscape quality.
With drought affecting many areas of the country this summer, what role can smart irrigation play in helping communities reach their water-saving goals?
Smart irrigation plays a critical role in helping communities adapt to both current and future drought conditions. While some regions may experience years of abundant rainfall, we must continue managing water as though drought conditions could return at any time.
Modern irrigation technologies allow us to move beyond traditional watering schedules and instead apply water based on actual plant needs, weather conditions, soil characteristics, and system performance. By utilizing smart controllers, accurate precipitation rates, soil infiltration data, and other key metrics, we can significantly reduce runoff, eliminate unnecessary watering, and ensure every gallon is used efficiently. This precision approach helps communities conserve water while maintaining healthy and functional landscapes.
If you could snap your fingers and fix one barrier to smarter irrigation adoption, what would it be?
If I could remove one barrier to smarter irrigation adoption, it would be the lack of education and training surrounding irrigation fundamentals. Technology continues to advance rapidly, but its effectiveness depends on users understanding concepts such as soil-water relationships, system hydraulics, precipitation rates, and plant water requirements.
I would like to see greater investment in training the next generation of irrigation professionals so they can fully leverage the capabilities of today’s smart technologies. When education and technology work together, the results are more efficient systems, better water management, and greater long-term sustainability.
