Grow your business and help clients maximize water use efficiency
Reducing outdoor water use has become a top priority in communities across the U.S. As a landscape professional, you have an important opportunity—and a vested interest—in helping to conserve our water resources for the future. “Smart” irrigation controllers are a key part of the solution.
What are Smart Water Application Technologies?
The term “Smart Water Application Technologies” includes any irrigation product and/or practice that delivers proven, exceptional landscape water use efficiency. For many years irrigation manufacturers have realized that “smart” irrigation tools could help answer the need for wise outdoor water use. The Irrigation Association Smart Water Application Technologies, or SWAT, initiative was created to provide a third party process for water conservation testing of products that a manufacturer may claim saves water.
How “smart” irrigation controllers help reduce water use
“Smart” irrigation controllers maximize outdoor water use efficiency by using climate and site, or soil moisture data as a basis for irrigation scheduling—maintaining, and in many cases enhancing, the health and beauty of landscaping.
“Smart” irrigation has an extensive history of scientific and field documentation. Golf courses, parks and athletic departments have used climate-based irrigation systems for more than 20 years. Now these scheduling technologies are available to your clients as “smart” controllers.
“Smart” irrigation controllers work by monitoring and using information about site conditions (such as soil moisture, rain, wind, slope, soil, plant type, and more), and applying the right amount of water to the landscape based on those factors. Once the “smart” controller is installed and set up, the “smart” controller automatically takes care of seasonal weather/site specific adjustments, and does not require ongoing monitoring.
How “smart” irrigation controllers help you grow your business
“Smart” irrigation controllers provide an exciting opportunity for landscape and irrigation professionals to expand and differentiate their service offerings in the growing area of water use efficiency and conservation. Because the proper installation and initial setup of “smart” irrigation controllers generally require an in-depth knowledge of soils, precipitation rates, slope measurements and related factors, many water purveyors are recommending their customers work with an irrigation contractor who is specifically experienced in the installation of “smart” irrigation controllers. And that represents new business opportunities for you.
Getting started
To maximize your success, just follow these four steps:
- Become an IA Certified Irrigation Contractor. IA Certified Irrigation Contractors have met minimum experience requirements, passed a written exam and agree to a code of ethics. The IA Certified Irrigation Contractor and Certified Irrigation Designer programs were the first professional certifications to earn the EPA WaterSense label. The IA also offers courses for irrigation professionals who need to stay abreast of the latest technologies. For more information about IA training courses and certification programs, click here.
- Check with your local water purveyor about special “smart” certification programs they may be offering.
- Learn about “smart” controller discount incentives currently available to your clients. Many water purveyors offer “smart” controller incentives to qualified residential and commercial customers. These incentives can help make upgrading to a “smart” irrigation controller even more compelling to your clients.
- Promote the benefits of “smart” irrigation controllers to new and existing clients. Contact your local water purveyor for information and materials to help you make the case for “smart” controllers.