Irrigation efficiency audit

Demonstration 8
Weather-Based Irrigation Controllers

Locations: Hamilton, Middleton, Peabody, North Reading, Reading

Purpose:

• Demonstrate the use of innovative irrigation technology as a means to reduce water use for outdoor landscaping, while maintaining healthy landscapes.
• Reduce overall water demand on public water supplies.
• Quantify the water savings associated with use of innovative irrigation controller switches to deliver water only when needed.

Description: A total of 25 weather-based irrigation controller switches were installed on both residential properties and municipal athletic fields in five communities. These devices contain an on-site rain gage and receive continuously transmitted wireless data on solar radiation, temperature, relative humidity, and wind. Based on this information, the device delivers the optimum amount of water only when needed by the landscape. Fifteen residential properties in Reading and 10 municipal athletic fields in Hamilton, Middleton, Peabody, North Reading, and Reading participated in this demonstration project.

Data Collection and Analysis: Data on water use by each irrigation system was recorded using readings from water meters dedicated to the irrigation system. These readings were compared to water use at control sites using conventional irrigation technologies and to records on pre-installation water use of project participants.

Partners:

• Towns of Hamilton, Middleton, North Reading, and Reading and the city of Peabody
• AquaSave LLC, Ipswich, MA

Status: See Progress Report

Acknowledgements: DCR would like to acknowledge data contributions to this project from all participating towns.