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WaterOptimizer® Named Innovation of the Year at Technology Awards

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Smart irrigation system gives landscapes only the water they need

The WaterOptimizer, a smart irrigation system was named Innovation of the Year at the inaugural BizTech Innovation Summit Awards & Expo held March 17 at the Tampa Convention Center.

The smart irrigation system takes the next step in technology. Using moisture sensors, the system is set to give landscapes the water they need — but no more. As important, the technology is web accessible for users and utilities.

Water is a limited resource, so a technology that reduces use is good for the bottom line and for water users.

WaterOptimizer Inc. was one of seven finalists in the Innovation category, and one of 41 total finalists in five categories. Technology business leaders judged each category, which recognized finalists for contributions to innovation, social media advancement and executive leadership.

Tampa Bay Business Journal, the Tampa Bay Technology Forum, Infinity Technology Solutions and Verizon sponsored BizTech.

QUOTABLE

Tom O’Connor, President, WaterOptimizer Inc.

  • “We’re honored that the WaterOptimizer is included among the innovations coming from the Tampa Bay area. Our team has worked hard to perfect WaterOptimizer® and make it the best tool available to save water but still maintain a lush landscape.”
  • “The technology we use, the wireless mesh network, has many proven applications. We’ve demonstrated that it works for irrigation management, too.”

HOW WATEROPTIMIZER WORKS

  • Sensor nodes are placed in the ground, designed to measure the amount of water in the soil. Sprinklers only turn on when the ground is dry, and then only long enough to reach the desired moisture level.
  • The entire WaterOptimizer system is controlled remotely, using an Internet connection, by the homeowner, a homeowners association, or even a utility. The wireless mesh network relays information back to a user, giving instant data and immediate control.

WHERE WATEROPTIMIZER WORKS

  • Recent case studies show that up to 70 percent of water typically used for irrigation can be saved with WaterOptimizer without sacrificing grass and plants.
  • The irrigation system in the Heathrow subdivision in Longwood, Fla., would run on average 73 hours per month in the spring. Once WaterOptimizer was installed the next year, sprinklers ran just a little over 15 hours per month for the season.
  • Five homes were tracked at Tierra Vista Communities at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colo. On runtime mode settings, irrigation there averaged 70 hours per month. Once WaterOptimizer was installed, those homes averaged just 26 hours of watering each through the hot summer months.
  • Results were even better in Los Angeles. Two Air Force Base homes were tracked averaging a little more than 43 hours per month of sprinkler runtime. With the WaterOptimizer, those homes finished the summer running an average of just under 10 hours.
  • WaterOptimizer works for commercial projects as well. Highwoods Preserve in Tampa, Fla., would run its sprinkler system for 17 hours each month. With the WaterOptimizer, Highwoods got through the Florida summer running the sprinklers just 9 hours per month, nearly cutting water bills there in half.

BECAUSE WATEROPTIMIZER WORKS

  • Many municipalities and water districts offer rebate programs covering the cost of installing smart irrigation systems like WaterOptimizer.
  • In Florida, legislators wrote a new state law into the books exempting properties using a monitored soil moisture sensor system – like the WaterOptimizer – from being subject to most watering restrictions. The statewide law means any Florida homeowner who wants to irrigate when they need to only need to install a WaterOptimizer.

RESOURCES

For additional information:

Michael Hinman or Honey Rand, Ph.D, APR
(813) 948-6400
michael@eprgroup.com or honey@eprgroup.com           

ABOUT WATEROPTIMIZER INC.

Precision irrigation, all in a small box. WaterOptimizer uses a series of soil moisture sensors and weather devices to ensure lawns are irrigated only with what they need. It uses wireless mesh network technology to establish two-way communication, sharing data, and allowing control remotely through an Internet connection. For more details on the WaterOptimizer, visit http://water-optimizer.com. For more water conservation tips, visit http://irrigatetoday.com.

Tags:

Colorado Springs Tampa Bay Technology Forum Tom OConnor Summit The Tampa Bay Business Journal WATEROPTIMIZER WORKS Sensor BizTech Innovation Summit Awards Expo Peterson Air Force Base Tampa Convention Center Tierra Vista Communities The WaterOptimizer WaterOptimizer Inc Cooper City Verizon Irrigate Today Infinity Technology Solutions