Assessment of water savings using soil moisture sensors in urban settings
Water use efficiency is becoming increasingly important in south Florida, particularly Miami-Dade County, due to the many demands on our potable water supply. Irrigation of landscape and turfgrass accounts for more than 50% of potable water use in some areas. Research has shown that use of soil moisture sensors to automatically control irrigation can result in water savings as high as 70-90% depending on brand and irrigation frequency (1, 2, or 7 d/wk).
This project (2007-2008) is funded by Miami Dade County Water and Sewer Department and is in collaboration with Miami Dade County Cooperative Extension Service.
Project objectives consist of installing soil moisture sensors at 25 Home Owner Associations (HOAs) in Miami Dade County and completing a pair-wise study at each site to determine water volume savings with and without the soil moisture sensor automating irrigation.
Investigators
Collaborators
- Laura Vasquez (FYN Coordinator, Miami Dade County Cooperative Extension Service)
- Don Pybas (County Director, Miami Dade County Cooperative Extension Service)