Technology

Track the latest water management technologies for information on the best in water management and smart irrigation products. Here, we share how new technology and improvements are adding value and saving water and money. Water management technologies we will feature include high efficiency nozzles, flow sensors, emitters, valve regulators and more.


  • Energy Conservation with Nest
    05.28.13

    Energy Conservation: One Great Way to Save Water

    I love gadgets, saving money and reducing waste so to say I love my Nest is an understatement. Martha and Richard both previously pointed out how water and energy are intertwined like night and day, so energy conservation indirectly results in water conservation. 3 Reasons Why Nest was Intriguing 1.  Auto Schedule – after a few weeks of manually adjusting the temperature, Nest creates a schedule based on the way you live and continues to fine tune the schedule based on changes... MORE >

  • The salt used to soften water causes some unexpected problems.
    02.08.13

    The Hidden Risks of Softened Water

    If you live in an area with hard water, it probably seems like common sense to have a water softening system in your home. Nobody wants spotty dishes, bathtub rings, or dull hair! But the ol’ tried-and-true water softener has a few nasty secrets. If you look at the real cost of softened water and the challenges it creates for water management, water conservation, and the environment, you might think a little differently about how you soften your water. What’s... MORE >

  • Montage Resort & Spa slope irrigation
    01.22.13

    5 Excellent Perspectives: How to Irrigate a Slope

    Irrigation on a Slope: What is your experience? This was the question posed on LinkedIn’s group for the American Society of Landscape Architects. I was intrigued by the question about how to irrigate a slope. As I was gathering my thoughts to share my uniquely professional and sage advice, I started reading the great responses already posted. Disappointingly,  I soon realized I had nothing new to add and even read a few points I might not have suggested. Since the LinkedIn group... MORE >

  • Drip emitters in a garden
    07.24.12

    Drip Conversion – Admitting Emitters

    As I may have possibly mentioned in prior posts, I removed all of the turf from my yard and switched over to a landscape of trees and shrubs.  This included a drip conversion that eliminated overhead spray heads in favor of drip emtters.  I did all of the work myself and, as such, it did not happen overnight.  Rather, it has been a slow journey of experiment and discovery all in the name of “sweat equity.” Several years back I removed about... MORE >

  • Lyme Park Mansion
    07.19.12

    Sensor Sensibility – Making Smart Controllers Smart

    I recently wed my long-term girlfriend after some 23 years of extended dating.  We held our ceremony at the Ardbeg distillery on Islay, Scotland (pronounced Eye-lah).  We then stole away for a few days in the Lake District of Northern England. Some of you may recognize “The Lakes” as the home of Beatrix Potter and the setting of Jane Austen’s beloved social commentary / romance novels.  So for a couple of days, I got to play Mr. Darcy, strolling the... MORE >

  • Danger Non-Potable Water Do Not Drink Sign
    05.08.12

    The Future of Non-Potable Water Use

    As potable water supplies dwindle and the cost per gallon rises, we have to be vigilant about how much we use and how we use it. One way to conserve potable water is to use non-potable water—rainwater, air conditioning condensate, stormwater run-off and treated wastewater—for purposes like landscape irrigation. Initiatives such as the United States Green Building Council’s LEED Program are driving the use of alternative water sources and the development of more efficient irrigation systems.  This trend is further... MORE >

  • Trailer Mounted HDPE Fusion Welding Machine
    04.19.12

    Black Is Beautiful – Fusion-Welded HDPE Pipe

    We all know PVC pipe, which comes in a variety of colors.  These colors include white, blue, green, purple, gray, and tan; each color of pipe is generally associated with a specific use (potable water, sewer or drainage, reclaimed water, etc.).  Missing from the list is black. You have probably seen black pipe on job sites or at supply houses.  We haven’t overlooked black pipe.  The fact is most black pipe is not PVC but either ABS (Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene) or HDPE (High Density Polyethylene). ... MORE >

  • Fertigation Tank
    02.02.12

    Fertigation Part 4- The Bigger Picture.

    Welcome to the final part in our fergiation series.  Along this journey we’ve learned the basics of fertigation, learned how fertigation can save water and money, and explored the technology and costs behind fertigation systems. As the final chapter in this series, I am going to take the last look at commercial side of things and then let me put in my last two cents on the matter. For commercial applications, the designs are improving daily and have become a... MORE >

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