July is SMART WATER month!

Rainfall in Colorado varies across the state and fluctuates by year.  During dry periods, irrigation may be needed to preserve landscape quality.  Over- or under-irrigating a landscape can possibly increase disease incidence, waste water, and decrease overall landscape condition.  Irrigation system efficiency is dependent upon several factors including design, installation, and specific site conditions. Traditional irrigation controllers run on a preset programmed schedule, set to water daily, weekly, etc., regardless of the current weather.
Water applied to a landscape can account for a significant portion of a property’s water use. A substantial amount of water is lost to evaporation, wind, and runoff due to improper watering methods. Reducing or eliminating this loss decreases water bills and creates a more water efficient, healthy landscape.
Outdoor water savings can be achieved using smart irrigation technologies. Smart irrigation controllers and sensors have been developed to reduce outdoor water use by irrigating based on individual plant and turf water needs. Smart irrigation technology uses weather data or soil moisture data to determine the irrigation needs of the landscape.  This technology exists as a complete controller or as a sensor that can be added to an existing irrigation timer to create a smart controller. 
 
Smart irrigation technology includes:
 
Smart Controllers:

• Signal-based controllers use meteorological data from a publicly available source and the ET value is calculated for a grass surface at the site.  The ET data is then sent to the controller by a wireless connection.
• Historic ET controllers use a pre-programmed water use curve, based on historic water use in different regions.  The curve can be adjusted for temperature and solar radiation.
• On-site weather measurement controllers use weather data collected on-site to calculate continuous ET measurements and water accordingly.

 
Add-on Sensors:

• Rain/Freeze Sensors
• Moisture Sensors
• Wind Sensors
• Flow Sensors

 
These products maximize irrigation efficiency by reducing water waste, while maintaining plant health and quality. Incorporating smart irrigation technology in the landscape can potentially reduce outdoor water consumption. This technology is appropriate for small, residential landscapes as well as large, managed landscapes. Irrigation managers and homeowners should be aware that smart irrigation technology will need to be periodically adjusted and maintained for maximum water savings.  Many new smart controllers can be managed from a smart phone or managed by the company that has developed the unit by way of a subscription plan.
 
 
WaterSense, a voluntary partnership program sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is both a label for water-efficient products and a resource for helping you save water.  Learn more HERE.