Irrigation Technology
Irrigation technology has come a long way in the last decade and a half. Drip irrigation is much more prevalent these days, along with smart irrigation controllers. Imagine a system that knows how much water your landscape needs on a given day and automatically delivers it to each plant through an efficient system that wastes very little water. Systems just like that are available.
Smart Controllers
Maybe you don’t want to worry about manually adjusting your Seattle watering schedule in early September, when it is still warm, but the rain starts to creep in. No worries! A wifi-ready smart controller receives local weather information from the internet, and automatically adjusts water timing and frequency based on current conditions and the forecast, reducing wasted water. These devices are not limited to in-home use, either. With smart phone apps, you can control your landscape’s watering schedule from anywhere you have an internet connection. Saving both time and money, wifi-ready smart controllers are a great addition to any irrigation system and give the user full control from virtually anywhere.
Freeze and rain sensors also aid in irrigation efficiency by adjusting to current conditions without the help of weather forecasts. Watering during a freeze will damage your system, and watering during or just after rain is largely a waste of water. These sensors can be installed on an external wall with full weather exposure, or in the ground for more immediate information.
Drip Irrigation Lines
Drip irrigation started gaining prevalence about 20 years ago and is now widespread. Watering plants right where they need it at ground level helps to avoid excessive runoff and overspray. This point source delivery to trees and shrubs also greatly reduces the loss of irrigation water to evaporation. Drip lines come in several varieties, from ready-made lines and inline emitters to ‘spaghetti’ feed tubes. The latter version consists of small ¼” tubes that attach to external emitters and can be placed in the most optimal places to water each plant with different flow rates.
Save Money and Resources
Smart controllers and driplines help to save water, time, and money for homeowners who make use of these systems. Beyond the benefits to the individual homeowner, more frequent and severe droughts in some regions due to climate change demand that we make the most efficient use of our precious water resources. Advances in irrigation technology help achieve that goal.