Smart Irrigation Technologies 

The Irrigation Association (IA) and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) designated several years ago the month of July as “Smart Irrigation Month” in order to promote water saving irrigation products. These products include everything from water conserving drip products to state of the art “smart controllers”, some with integrated flow-metering technologies, and everything in between.

Although the latter means a relatively large investment and is therefor mostly reserved for high end residential and commercial properties, typically the most cost effective solution for conserving irrigation water in Northern Colorado is achieved through the installation of some of the more simpler of these “smart irrigation” products. These include rotating or reduced flow sprinkler head nozzles to reduce runoff, pressure regulating heads to minimize misting and therefor wind drift, and rain or soil moisture sensors which prevent irrigation when it is not needed. In addition, sprinkler heads with a Seal-A-Matic (SAM) check valves can minimize low head drainage of irrigation water between irrigation cycles and can thereby reduce water wastage (see SAM Check Valves).

An evaluation of the site and its irrigation water source ought to be made before considering the installation of any of these products on a sprinkler system. This can avoid costly design oversights and/or spending money on unnecessary products. In addition, Alpenglow offers its customers a 10% discount on most “smart irrigation” products it is asked to install during the month of July to help promote “Smart Irrigation Month”.

Typically the most cost effective solution for conserving irrigation water is achieved by installing some of the more simple of these smart irrigation products.

These include:

  • WiFi enabled controllers to aid property owners and contractors in micro managing irrigation schedules.

  • Water flow sensors (to help eliminate water wastage and potential water damage).

  • Rotary nozzles for popup spray heads.

  • Precision spray nozzles to avoid runoff.

  • Pressure Regulating Stems (PRS) for rotors and spray heads.

  • Seal-A-Matic (SAM) check valves to avoid low head drainage between waterings.

  • Matched Precipitation Rate (MPR) nozzles for rotors and sprayheads.

  • Sensors - Wireless rain/freeze sensors with incremental adjustability.

  • Popup micro sprays for broadcast water application onto perennial/annual beds.

  • Non-clogging, copper-shielded, in-line drip emitter tubing (resists root intrusion).