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 working with 25 Home Owner Associations (HOAs) participating in Miami Dade County's Water Use Efficiency Program to install soil moisture sensors and water meters to complete a pair-wise study at each site. Data will help determine water savings with and without the soil moisture sensor automating irrigation.
Publications
McCready, M.S., M.D. Dukes and K. Migliaccio. 2009. Basic Repairs and Maintenance for Home Landscape Irrigation Systems. AE451. Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, IFAS, UF. URL: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/AE451, 7pgs.
Investigators
Collaborators
- Laura Vasquez (FYN Coordinator, Miami-Dade County Cooperative Extension Service)
- Don Pybas (County Director, Miami-Dade County Cooperative Extension Service)
- Mary McCready (Miami-Dade County Cooperative Extension Service
This project is being completed with the technical assistance of Michael Gutierrez