Residential Water Savings Associated with Satellite-Based ET Irrigation Controllers

Abstract

A mixed landscape irrigation study was conducted on 27 residential sites in Las Vegas to quantify water savings associated with satellite irrigation controllers. Seventeen sites were equipped with evapotranspiration-based (ET) satellite irrigation controllers and ten sites were designated as control sites and retrofitted with nonET-based irrigation controllers. Results showed that 13 of 16 ET-based controller sites saved water compared to four of ten of the nonET-based control sites. When all control sites were grouped together, a statistical difference occurred between the control and ET-based groups (ET-based controller= +20% savings) (p<0.05) . Results from this study indicated that water savings were not because of deficit irrigations at the expense of the landscape plant material. Eighty-one percent of the variation in the total outdoor water use could be described by the total turfgrass area at each site. Such results would suggest that turfgrass limitations have merit, if the grass being restricted...