Soil Moisture Sensor Irrigation Controllers and ReclaimedWater; II: Residential Evaluation

摘要

Water savings potential of soil moisture sensor irrigation control technologies have not been reported in homes irrigating with reclaimed water. The main objective of this research was to evaluate the performance and water conservation potential of asoil moisture sensor system (SMS) in homes that used reclaimed water as their source for irrigation. Additionally, other water conservation methods that could improve the efficiency of irrigation water application—including rain sensors and educationalmaterials—were used and compared. In the vicinity of Palm Harbor, FL, a total of 64 homes supplied with reclaimed water for irrigation (with an average salinity of0.7 dS/m) were selected for this study. Dedicated irrigation flowmeters were installed inevery home. The 64 homes were divided in 4 treatments with 16 homes each. Treatments were: MO (monitored only), SMS, rain sensor, and rain sensor plus educational materials. The SMS treatment was the only group of homes significantly different to MO: applying 44% less water, over the 32 months of data collection. These results indicate that SMSs can save a significant amount of reclaimed water, compared to the other methods/technologies tested.