Smart Water Conservation Systems for Irrigated Landscapes
EW-201019
Objective
The objective of this project is to demonstrate and validate the retrofit of existing landscape irrigation systems with smart water conservation systems that reduce the costs of water used for landscape irrigation and that can more efficiently irrigate the landscape surrounding Department of Defense (DoD) buildings. Several DoD installations are experiencing skyrocketing water costs, regional water shortages, and regulatory constraints. Anecdotal data suggests that potable water consumption used for landscape irrigation can be reduced by greater than 50% by utilizing smart water conservation systems that incorporate concepts such as smart weather tracking controllers, site-specific sensor inputs, along with rainwater and heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) condensate harvesting.
Technology Description
Smart water conservation systems provide DoD a pathway for preserving green landscape (athletic fields, parade grounds, etc.) assets while simultaneously reducing potable water demand for landscape irrigation. This project will demonstrate an integrated suite of commercially available smart water conservation technologies for irrigated landscapes (turf and low-water ground cover). Specific technologies that will be tested include: (1) advanced evapotranspiration irrigation controllers; (2) centralized and site-specific sensor inputs (rain, ambient temperature, soil moisture, leak detection); (3) efficient water delivery systems (drip systems, bubblers, micro sprayers); and (4) roof top rainwater and HVAC water condensate harvesting systems to displace potable water consumption for irrigation.
Benefits
DoD currently operates numerous facilities that utilize highly inefficient irrigation processes (sprinkler lines, hoses, etc.) that are no longer sustainable given the limited water supplies in many locations and the projected future water demand growth. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that more than half of the potable water used in conventional landscape irrigation processes is lost to evaporation, wind, and overwatering. DoD lacks detailed cost and performance data and specific implementation guidance to fully implement a smart water irrigation system. Replacing current irrigation practices with smart water conservation systems that utilize rainwater and HVAC condensate harvesting for irrigating DoD landscapes are likely to cut the current potable water consumption and costs at many DoD facilities by up to 70%. (Anticipated Project Completion - 2013)
Points of Contact
Principal Investigator
Mr. Gary Anguiano
Naval Facilities Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare Center (EXWC)
Phone: 805-982-1302
Fax: 805-982-4832
Document Types
- Fact Sheet - Brief project summary with links to related documents and points of contact.
- Final Report - Comprehensive report for every completed SERDP and ESTCP project that contains all technical results.
- Cost & Performance Report - Overview of ESTCP demonstration activities, results, and conclusions, standardized to facilitate implementation decisions.
- Technical Report - Additional interim reports, laboratory reports, demonstration reports, and technology survey reports.
- Guidance - Instructional information on technical topics such as protocols and user’s guides.
- Workshop Report - Summary of workshop discussion and findings.
- Multimedia - On demand videos, animations, and webcasts highlighting featured initiatives or technologies.
- Model/Software - Computer programs and applications available for download.
- Database - Digitally organized collection of data available to search and access.