University of Texas at Austin
Reduces Irrigation by at least 70%

Completed 2016

Overview

The University of Texas at Austin’s Facilities Management initiated a comprehensive program in 2007 to develop and implement water conservation measures after a task force on sustainability was established. The goal: reduce domestic water use by 20% and enable at least 40% of the total water usage to come from reclaimed sources by 2020. During this project, it was determined the campus’ irrigation system lacked qualities needed to meet the new sustainability requirements. As a result, the system was upgraded to Calsense smart computer technology to monitor detailed water usage, detect and report daily irrigation problems and provide the expertise to support staff in being effective in using the smart technology. Irrigation sprinkler heads were also replaced with more efficient, Hunter® MP Rotator® rotary nozzles and various areas of turf were replaced with drought tolerant plant material.

The University of Texas, Austin is a Calsense Champion of Irrigation. Read the story here. 

 

The challenge

  • Various controller products were unable to communicate with each other or to a central location.
  • Irrigation distribution systems (sprinkler heads) were inefficient.
  • Landscape Services staff could not automatically adjust watering schedules based on real-time weather conditions.
  • Landscape Services staff could not accurately measure water usage.
  • Landscape Services staff could not shut off water automatically when a leak or break occurred.

The solution

  • Implemented smart irrigation controllers that enable seamless communication between various controller products and establish a connection to a central location.
  • Integrated advanced technology in smart controllers to optimize irrigation distribution systems, addressing the inefficiencies in the operation of sprinkler heads.
  • Real-time Weather-Based Adjustments:
    • Introduced functionality in smart controllers to automatically adjust watering schedules in real-time, taking into account current weather conditions. This feature allows Landscape Services staff to respond dynamically to changing environmental factors.
  • Precise Water Usage Measurement:
    • Incorporated accurate measurement capabilities into smart controllers, providing Landscape Services staff with the tools to precisely monitor water usage and make informed decisions about irrigation needs.
  • Automated Leak Detection and Response:
    • Implemented a proactive system within smart controllers that can detect leaks or breaks in the irrigation system, allowing Landscape Services staff to automatically shut off water, preventing waste and minimizing potential damage.

Smart Solutions H2OMICS at Work

36 Months

Once the equipment was installed and collecting data, the ROI was calculated at three years.

$1M Over

Over 1 million in cost avoidance.

70%

Due to the wet season in 2015, the campus reduced water use by over 75%

125 Million

Saving over 125 million gallons of fresh water each year.

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