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High-Tech Solution: ET-signal Irrigation Controllers
How much water trees require depends upon the type
of tree and its evapotranspiration rate. Evapotranspiration,
or ET is the total amount of water lost from the
soil through evaporation
or used by trees to take in nutrients and control temperature.
Most trees suffer when they receive too much water.
Applying the right amount of water, based on the
local weather and the tree's actual need,
is the key to using water efficiently.
Unfortunately, homeowners often overwater their lawn, which in turn surpasses a tree's real needs. It is
not difficult to understand why. Computing and setting landscape-irrigation time based on weather
changes is a complicated, time-consuming and never-ending task. However, new irrigation-scheduling
technology can change how green industry professionals and homeowners save landscape water.
New wireless technology transmits local weather data each week directly to homes equipped
with ET-receiving irrigation controllers, setting new and efficient irrigation schedules.
This method of programming irrigation controllers provides the right amount of the right
tie for maximum plant health and water efficiency.
The technology was tested in a one-year study in
Orange County, California. The study showed that ET irrigation-control
technology resulted in home landscape water
savings of 17 percent to 25 percent, and it indicated
that water savings increase dramatically as the size of the landscape
increases. The study indicated that homes using moderate amounts
of water for landscapes could save 57 gallons of
water per day. This translates into an average annual savings of a least
20,000 gallons of water saved per home.
The study found these additional benefits of ET irrigation-control technology:
- All test-home residents said they found the controller to be convenient because they did not have to manually set, change or reprogram irrigation times.
- The annual water cost-savings, at $114, was greater than the yearly ET weather-data broadcast signal fee of $48.
- Homeowners reported that their landscapes look as good as or better than they did prior to use of the ET irrigation-control technology.
- The technology can send a reduced-percentage signal prescribed during drought
periods.(This need would be established by the local water agency to help meet
drought automatically. For example: If an area needs to reduce water use by
20 percent, the broadcast system can send an ET signal that is 20 percent lower
across the part of the customer base that is outfitted with the technology.)
ET irrigation system controllers are a prime example of how technology and science
can help policymakers, planners, environmentalists, homeowners and businesses
use water efficiently in urban landscapes.
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