|
|
HydroPoint Data Systems announced recently that its WeatherTRAK smart controller line has achieved a perfect score on the Irrigation Association’s (IA) Smart Water Application Technology (SWAT) performance test. Water purveyors and green industry professionals use SWAT results in selecting high-efficiency, weather-based irrigation controllers. Passing this test is a key requirement for inclusion in a growing number of public agency-sponsored smart controller rebate programs. WeatherTRAK is the first and only smart controller product line to receive perfect scores in the history of IA’s SWAT performance test.
Developed and administered by the Center for Irrigation Technology (CIT) for the IA, the SWAT protocol evaluates the ability of smart controllers to irrigate “virtual” test landscapes. Daily weather changes are simulated based on evapotranspiration (ET) data received from a selected California Irrigation Management Information System weather station. After initial programming and calibrating, the controllers are expected to perform without further intervention during the month-long test period. The complete SWAT protocol may be viewed at http://www.irrigation.org.
|
|
"We are proud that WeatherTRAK is the first and only smart controller line to receive a perfect, 100-percent rating on the SWAT test," said Chris Spain, president and CEO of HydroPoint Data Systems. "This underscores what the EPA and 18 other public agencies have proven and thousands of WeatherTRAK customers have experienced over the last eight years – WeatherTRAK delivers greater water bill savings than any other solution."
SWAT performance results measure the degree to which smart controllers maintain root-zone moisture levels within an acceptable range. Controllers are evaluated for both irrigation adequacy and irrigation excess. Irrigation adequacy reflects the percentage of water required for turf or plant material supplied by rainfall and controller-scheduled irrigation. Irrigation excess represents how much water is applied beyond the needs of the plant material. WeatherTRAK-enabled controllers achieved perfect marks in both areas, demonstrating optimal efficiency and zero overwatering.
HydroPoint says WeatherTRAK's unique ability to completely automate irrigation based on daily, local weather conditions and individual landscape characteristics explain its track record of success.