Smarter Irrigation for Crops and LandscapingPrecision systems reduce water use, save money and improve plant health |
April 20, 2009 Environmental Defense Fund, Innovation Exchange Here's a surprising fact: There are about 60 million automatic irrigation systems across the U.S., operated by governments, real estate developers, suburban office parks and retailers. Most operate on timers — that is, they water the grass or plants every few days for a set number of minutes, regardless of whether it has been raining or not. "This current technology makes about as much sense as having a timer instead of a thermostat in your house," says Chris Spain, the founder of a company called Hydropoint, which offers smart irrigation systems. Farmers don't do much better. Many tend to overwater, especially when the weather is warm. "We were building these $100,000 irrigation systems and we didn't have a steering wheel, if you will," says Matt Angell, the founder of PureSense, a lifelong farmer and an irrigation expert. However, a new crop of precision systems that combine weather information, soil conditions and wireless communication is helping companies use less water – and save money – by precisely scheduling irrigation for crops and commercial landscaping. Hydropoint focuses on landscaping. Its customers include eBay, Lockheed Martin, Cisco, McDonald's, Wal-Mart, Amazon and Advanced Micro Devices. According to CEO Spain, landscaping consumes about 58% of urban water. Landscaping is typically overwatered by 30 to 300%. The city of Newport Beach, Ca., an early Hydropoint customer, says it reduced landscape runoff (and associated pollution) to its popular beaches by 70%. PureSense markets to farmers, particularly big California growers of grapes, nuts and fruits. Its customers include The Wine Group, which says it increased its yield three years in a row by 20 to 60% and reduced its operating costs by 15% after installing a PureSense system. Finally, Austin, Texas-based Acequia uses a financing model similar to energy service companies (commonly-known as "ESCOs"), where Acequia fronts the capital costs of putting in the system in return for a cut of the savings its clients realize from reduced water bills. Clients include American Airlines and Hilton Hotels. |
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