Water is a precious and dwindling resource. In some parts of the country, notably California, the shortage of water is generating both hardships and societal upheaval. And over the long-term, the water shortage is expected to only worsen and become more widespread.
That’s creating lots of concern, ranging from individuals to government agencies.
Time to Get Smart
The concern about growing water shortages – many consider it a water emergency – is spurring action on many fronts. And it’s encouraging people to be smarter about their usage of water.
The nation’s water utilities are a great example. A recent survey has revealed that 90% of U.S. water utilities plan to institute a variety of smart water technologies soon. Expectations are that as much as a quarter of a billion dollars may be spent in upgrading to smart water technologies over the next couple of years.
What Are “Smart” Water Technologies?
The term “smart water management” refers to using technologically advanced sensors and metering solutions for managing the flow and usage of water more efficiently. In many cases, it also refers to moving water management to the cloud.
For water utilities, smart water management offers a number of potential benefits. Smart water management can enable a more effective distribution of water, supplying only what’s needed as needed, minimizing or eliminating waste. Smart water management can help to maximize equipment life, reducing the loss of water due to leaks or burst pipes.
Smart water management can even reduce the loss of water to theft – a rapidly growing problem in many areas.
Many Homeowners Are Also Getting ‘Smart’
Smart water management tools are also available to private homeowners. TLC Incorporated’s Hydrawise smart controller is a great example. Smart controllers for lawn sprinkler systems can save lots of water, helping to preserve a precious and dwindling resource.
Smart lawn sprinkler systems like Hydrawise work by monitoring a variety of variables, such as:
- Temperature
- Relative humidity
- Day length
- Wind velocity
- Local forecasts
And they use that data to calculate and deliver exactly the amount of water that a landscape needs, no more and no less. That conserves water, saves money for homeowners, and makes lawns and landscapes healthier and less susceptible to a variety of pests and diseases.
It’s Easy to Be Smart
The growing water shortage will increase pressure on everyone to be more efficient in the consumption of water. So the need to be ‘smart’ in monitoring and managing water usage will continue to grow in importance during the coming years.
Fortunately, tools like Hydrawise will make it easier for everyone to be smarter and more responsible about their usage of water.