CTSI will help sell the satellite sprinkler controls in exchange for a cut of the proceeds. In recent weeks, new tests began at 13 homes in the Salt Lake City suburb of West Jordan, Utah, and 10 homes in the Portland suburb of Wilsonville, Oregon, said Ash. Fifty Reno, Nevada homes will try satellite-run sprinklers next spring. The first step is a water audit of each home to be equipped with satellite sprinkler controls. Sprinkler leaks or other problems are fixed.
Auditors determine how much water the sprinklers deliver to the yard.
A weather station in the same area measures soil and air temperatures, humidity, wind and solar radiation. The ET rate basically says how much water is needed for a healthy lawn. Network Services sends that information weekly to the satellite, which relays it to control boxes at individual homes. A receiver chip in each box picks the information relevant to local weather conditions, then reprograms sprinklers to irrigate each part of the yard appropriately. Rain sensors override earlier commands if rain falls after the sprinklers are programmed for dry weather.