Wireless Irrigation Technology

By Tom Ash, HydroPoint Data Systems, Inc.

Radio remotes, such as the RRE from Calsense, allow you to control valves and view operational details of your wireless irrigation system.

There is a change afoot in the arena of wireless irrigation technology.As new advancements in materials and equipment push the industry forward, old outdated irrigation laws are being revamped to meet today?EUR??,,??s environmental demands.

Future irrigation devices will have to fall under highly regulated guidelines, making today?EUR??,,??s state of the art technology obsolete. Companies need to be ready for this, get out in front of the legislation, and design their products accordingly.

New Legislation

In California, a trendsetter in irrigation laws, new legislation is in the works to improve on current ordinances that were written in the early nineties. Aimed at making sure landscapes were watered efficiently, the guidelines failed, which brought upon the proposed changes. The new legislation, at this time titled AB 1881, will force companies to comply with efficiency, budgetary, and certification requirements in order to do business in the state.

If landscape professionals want to be be sure a site is compliant and efficient, they simply need to install a certified Smart Controller. Since each controller is set up differently, go to the different company web sites, call distributors and get trained.

With wireless control systems, like the Rain Bird CYCLIK, you are able to program a coordinated irrigation schedule for up to 85 control modules.

Proper Installation

The good news is that once these products are installed they will save time and money due to the improved efficiency. If extra time is taken during set up to input the correct information, and the controller will calculate an efficient irrigation schedule based on soil type, plants, shade, sunlight, etc. Each night it receives data, based on weather conditions in that area, and the controller then changes the irrigation schedule automatically without anyone having to be on site.

In effect, it?EUR??,,??s like having your coffee made for you in the morning with the perfect amount of cream and sugar. Once the sophisticated irrigation scheduling background information is set up properly, the computer puts all the information together?EUR??,,?(R) slope, shade, soil, etc.?EUR??,,?(R)and then the controller can do its job. As the weather changes, nothing has to be changed.

The Bottom Line

Landscapes are being overwatered by as much as 50 percent, say water agencies. That fact alone is hurting the landscape industry and driving more legislation aimed at landscapes. If irrigation systems weren?EUR??,,??t wasting water, there wouldn?EUR??,,??t be a need for new legislation.

These corporations should not worry that this will ruin the industry, but instead they need to realize that new legislation will actually make it stronger in the long run. When you take a look at history and other industries, laws forcing companies to engineer their products to meet more stringent regulations will only fuel technological advancement and customer satisfaction.