Surprise is offering a new Qualified Water Efficient Landscaping certification program.

The QWEL program provides 20 hours of training and meets EPA WaterSense criteria as a professional certification program for landscape irrigation system audits.

Classes will be held from noon to 5 p.m. every Tuesday and Wednesday from Nov. 5 to 13 in the Water Education Center, 16126 N. Civic Center Plaza. The certification exam and audit will occur on Nov. 19.

For a limited time, the November class is being offered for free to landscapers doing business in Surprise, with only a $30 exam cost for certification.

The QWEL training presents an affordable, proactive and local approach to reducing landscape water demand and offers a hands-on irrigation audit.

Graduates of the program will have a greater knowledge of water-efficient and sustainable landscape practices, including water management and preservation of other valuable resources.

Plus, as an added benefit, businesses will receive a free listing on the QWEL and EPA WaterSense websites and use of the QWEL logo to promote their business.

To register for the November class, visit surpriseaz.gov/QWEL.

Topics covered during the training include:

• Sustainable landscaping
• Irrigation systems, scheduling and auditing
• Soils
• Irrigation maintenance and troubleshooting
• Landscape water
• Irrigation controllers

For questions, email conservewater@surpriseaz.gov.