Weather Web & Smart Irrigation Controllers - FAQs

Darwin’s Weather Web

What is the Weather Web?

The Weather Web is a network of weather stations around Darwin that provide a fantastic resource of localised weather information from suburb to suburb. The weather data that is collected can be accessed by anyone in the community and used to help make smart decisions about efficient watering in your garden.

The network includes over 30 weather stations that have been installed by Power and Water’s Living Water Smart program schools in the Darwin region.  These weather stations combine to make the ‘Weather Web’.  The weather data that is collected by the Weather Web, such as temperature, rainfall, wind and humidity can be accessed here and used by you to decide when to adjust your watering schedule.  If you have a smart irrigation controller, connect it to the Weather Web and it will automatically adjust your watering schedule accoroding the weather!

Tapping into the weather data provides advantages for both your wallet and your garden. Your garden won’t be overwatered, and you’ll save money knowing your garden has just the right amount of water it needs to thrive. 

There are two main ways to use the Weather Web in your garden:

• Low Tech – Manually look up weather data and use this information to make smart decisions to water your garden efficiently.  You can turn on or off your irrigation according to how much rain your suburb has received and how much water your garden needs.
• Hi Tech - The automatic adjustment of your watering schedules via a smart irrigation controller that has been programmed with weather triggers like - “don’t water if the last 24 hours has had 10mm or more of rain.”

Why has the Weather Web been set up?

The Weather Web will help reduce water use in the Darwin region, where more than half of our water use is in the garden. Being aware of the connection between watering schedules and garden requirements is an important part of having a healthy garden while being more water efficient. We love our gardens! It is part of what makes the Darwin lifestyle great.

What also makes Darwin quite unique is its patchy rainfall. It can be raining in one suburb but not the next, or on one side of the road but not the other! The Weather Web will allow you to water your garden based on the amount of rainfall your suburb, or one nearby, has received. How great is that!

The garden is where we use most of our water and most people overwater their garden. Your garden can be just as healthy, sometimes healthier, with reduced watering. Find out how much water your garden needs.

Why do we need to save water in the Darwin region?

The Darwin region currently uses more water than can be captured and supplied in the long term, and learning to be more water efficient is important to ensure our water supply is sustainable. Climate variability means we are never sure how much rain we will get from year to year.

Over half of all water used in the Darwin region goes on gardens. In Darwin households, water use in the garden is around 57% of the average household’s water use.  After conducting 650 water efficiency consultations, Living Water Smart has found that the majority of people overwater their garden. So it makes sense for us to try and curb our garden water use. It doesn’t need to impact our garden and lifestyle; in fact gardens can be just as healthy, sometimes healthier, with reduced watering. 

How will the Weather Web help me save water in the garden?

The Weather Web will help you make informed decisions about how much to water your garden so it is not being overwatered, whether you water your garden manually, use a standard irrigation controller or ideally, a smart irrigation controller.  Paying attention to weather is especially useful during the wet season, and the periods either side of the wet season when rainfall can be sporadic. You can save up to 50% on water bills by making irrigation adjustments based on your localised weather data.

Your garden needs different amounts of water throughout the year according to many variables. Rainfall, temperature, humidity and wind strength all affect how much water your garden needs and how well your irrigation system performs.  

If you water your garden manually, pay attention to the rainfall in your suburb to help you decide when to water.  Consider installing a standard or smart irrigation system - it will save you water and money!

If you have a standard irrigation controller you can manually adjust your irrigation (turning it on or off) based on the amount of rain your suburb has received. Consider upgrading your system to be smart!

If you have a smart irrigation controller, connect it to the Weather Web so that it will automatically adjust  your irrigation based on the weather in your suburb and a pre-programmed set of weather triggers that tell the irrigation system to turn up or down or even on or off. 

How does the Weather Web work?

The Weather Web provides you with local neighbourhood weather data, rather than data which may be captured in a suburb many kilometres from you.  The weather stations installed by Living Water Smart are scattered throughout the greater Darwin region and measure data such as rainfall, temperature, humidity and wind speed. This weather data is sent to our website.

If you have a smart irrigation controller,  you can connect it to the Weather Web and it will receive weather updates about your local suburb via Wi-Fi adjusting your irrigation system's watering schedule automatically.

If you want to manually adjust your irrigation according to your local weather conditions, you can search for your suburb on the Weather Web Map to find your neighbourhood weather data.

What is a weather station?

A weather station is a set of instruments and equipment that measure atmospheric conditions, providing information about local weather conditions and forecasts. The measurements usually include temperature, atmospheric pressure, humidity, wind speed, wind direction, and precipitation amounts (rainfall).

Why were schools chosen as sites to install weather stations?

Darwin region schools are well dispersed across the region so they provide great weather coverage for everyone.  Find out where the weather stations are located.

Smart Irrigation Controllers

What is a smart irrigation controller?

A smart irrigation controller is an irrigation controller that automatically adjusts watering based on local weather conditions. For example when it rains the controller will reduce or turn off your irrigation to save you water. It will automatically turn your watering up or down based on the weather and the parameters you input into the controller, this is great for saving water but it could also lead to a healthier garden as your plants are only getting the amount of water they need.

Smart irrigation controllers also include an online portal that you can access on your computer or via an app, allowing you to easily adjust your irrigation from anywhere in the world! 

Some smart irrigation controllers also include flow meters and other smart technology that will alert you of any leaks in your irrigation system.

There are varying levels of ‘smartness’ in smart irrigation controllers that you should be aware of when purchasing or setting up a smart irrigation system. Talk to your preferred irrigation professional for up to date advice.

How does a smart irrigation controller work?

A smart irrigation controller reads online weather data and responds via pre-set weather triggers. These triggers are set by yourself or a local irrigation expert via a web portal or app. Below are a couple of example triggers and you can find more Living Water Smart’s recommended triggers for the Darwin region here. 

• Turn off irrigation when it rains over 10 mm.
• Decrease irrigation by 50% when it rains over 5 mm. 
• Increase irrigation by 20% if forecast temperature is over 35 degrees.
• Delay irrigation if wind speeds over 50 km per hour are forecast.

What are the benefits of a smart irrigation controller?

As we all become busier in our daily lives, technology such as smart irrigation controllers can help intelligently automate what can sometimes be a confusing and complicated task.  Rather than adjusting our irrigation on a weekly, fortnightly, bi-annual or just annual basis, smart irrigation controllers will automatically adjust your gardens irrigation needs every day based on localised weather information (primarily rainfall, temperature, wind and evaporation).  This will reduce your water use by at least 20% which will save you money!  

Whilst it is easy to see the effects of under-watering, it is often not so easy to see the effects of over-watering.  Yet the negative effects can be just as detrimental to your garden with shallow rooted plants and continual run-off resulting in water and nutrients ending up down the drain.

Another benefit is the easy and accessible app or web portal function that can be accessed via a tablet, smartphone or computer from anywhere in the world! 

Smart controllers have additional capabilities such as flow monitoring, zone shutdown and email/SMS alerts for leaks and broken pipes (great for those night time irrigation faults that can go unnoticed). There are also faulty wiring alerts for valve malfunctions which are a common cause of hard to find leaks within irrigation systems.

Are smart irrigation controllers difficult to install?

Generally installation of a smart irrigation controller requires:

• Access to a sufficient Wi-Fi signal at the position of the smart irrigation controller
• Setting up of a user account
• Programming the controller to an appropriate watering schedule with weather triggers

Living Water Smart recommends engaging an irrigation professional to install your smart irrigation controller.  It is just one part of your overall automatic irrigation system and it is important that your irrigation is designed, installed and maintained properly and that your watering schedules are efficient and suitable for your plant types.

To help with the cost, we suggest you first get a free Garden Tune Up through one of our registered irrigators, which includes:

1. A one hour irrigation audit with a registered Living Water Smart irrigation specialist
2. Review and adjustment of your irrigation schedule to ensure your plants are getting just the right amount of water. The irrigation specialist will program your controller for you.
3. A check of your irrigation equipment and up to $50 of small on-the-spot irrigation repairs.
4. Water efficient gardening advice such as when to water, using mulch, information about soils and how much water different plants need. 
5. Recommendations about smart controllers and other technologies to further improve your garden irrigation and efficiency.

Before your Garden Tune Up begins, ask your irrigator for advice about installing a smart irrigation controller and request a quote.  This will ensure your controller is set up properly for the water requirements of your garden.

What should I consider when purchasing a smart irrigation controller?

There are several things you need to consider when deciding which smart irrigation controller to buy. Do you have a sprinkler system already? While there are a few smart irrigation controllers that will work with garden hoses or other off-the rack equipment, most are designed to work with true irrigation controllers that connect to their own water supply and feature motorised valves and irrigation piping to control the flow of water. Consult with an irrigation expert if you are installing an irrigation system from scratch and are interested in using a smart irrigation controller. 

Other things to consider include:

• How many zones do you wish to water? The controller needs to have enough capacity to support all the zones in your system.
• Will your controller allow the installation of a flow meter to provide leak alerts?
• How easy is it to use? A smart controller uses advanced software and different irrigation controllers have different levels of user-friendliness. Look at controllers that will be easy for you to use as this will encourage you to interact with it more.
• Can you manage it with your smart phone? This allows you to have access to it while you are away from home
• Will you mount it inside or outside? If outside you’ll need a weatherproof enclosure for your system.
• Do you have a good Wi-Fi signal at the place you wish to mount your controller?  You can check with your smart phone, if you have 3 bars or more then your signal strength should be sufficient. 
• Is there a power supply to the place you wish to mount your controller?
• Will there be subscription fees for climate and weather information packages?
• Will you need an irrigation specialist to install it for you?

What are the recommended weather trigger settings for my smart irrigation controller?

If you choose to set up your smart irrigation controller yourself, Living Water Smart has developed recommended settings to ensure water efficiency for the Darwin climate and conditions. 
Whilst each smart controller will have different functionality for entering triggers, most will have a section for actual weather events and a section for predictive weather events.  Below are Living Water Smart’s guidelines for each:

Actual weather events:

• Turn off irrigation when it rains over 10 mm.
• Decrease irrigation by 50% when it rains over 5 mm.
• Turn off irrigation when the last 7 days rainfall is higher than 30 mm.

Predictive weather events:

• Increase irrigation by 20% if forecast temperature is over 35 degrees.
• Delay irrigation if wind speeds over 50 km per hour are forecast.
• Delay irrigation when the chance of rain is over 95%.

Should I add a flow meter to my smart irrigation controller to check for leaks?

It’s a great idea!  A simple to install flow meter can be paired with your smart irrigation controller to measure water usage and detect broken pipes and sprinklers. It will monitor your system for high and low-flow conditions, and provides you with an easy to read graph that tracks how much water your irrigation is using so you can keep a good eye on things!  It also has the added bonus of giving you an alert when breakages occur, allowing you to prevent property damage.  It provides an additional layer of protection for your garden, and your hip pocket.

Where can I get a smart irrigation controller? 

From an irrigation supplier or retailer.  Make sure they offer a product and installation warranty.  For advice about the type of smart irrigation controller we suggest contacting one of our registered irrigators.

What is the approximate cost and payback period of a smart irrigation controller?

The cost ranges considerably depending on the features and brand and whether it’s for a residential or larger irrigation area.  At the bottom end of the residential systems you may find a controller for as little as $150 and they then go up to around $750. Most smart irrigation controllers should pay themselves off within 1-5 years via reduced water bills.

What is the difference between a standard (central automated) irrigation controller and a smart irrigation controller?

A standard irrigation controller operates multiple irrigation stations from a single controller. It is programmed to water your garden according to a schedule that you or your gardener has set. Unless you manually adjust these settings, your watering schedule won't change. So if there is heavy rain, your irrigation system will still come on. It is easy to waste money and water if you don’t adjust the system manually. 

A smart irrigation controller ‘controls and adjusts’ the amount of water that is needed for each zone of your garden automatically based on local weather data and the weather triggers you input into the system. Your garden will get just the right amount of water and you could save from 20% to 50% on your water costs.

What is the difference between programmable tap timers and a standard (central automated) irrigation controller?

Programmable tap timers are battery powered and generally only operate one irrigation line.  A central automated controller is mains powered and can operate multiple irrigation lines. Mains powered standard irrigation controllers can be more simply swapped over to a smart irrigation controller as the multiple irrigation lines are also necessary for most smart irrigation controllers.

Can I make my programmable tap timers ‘smart’ with a smart irrigation controller?

If you want to upgrade your irrigation system from using programmable tap timers to a smart irrigation controller you are likely to need extra work done by an irrigation specialist. This includes installing an isolation valve, a backflow prevention device and solenoid valves for each watering station.  You will also need to ensure there is a strong consistent Wi-Fi signal at the location where you intend to install your smart irrigation controller and access to an external power point. We recommend talking to an irrigation expert for advice specific to your garden.  

How much does it cost for my smart irrigation controller to access the Weather Web data?

Nothing - it’s free to access the Weather Web! 

However, some smart irrigation controllers have additional access plans that allow increased functions. Make sure you research the type and brand of smart irrigation controller before purchasing to ensure you are getting what you need, with no surprises.  We recommend you chat to an irrigation expert for more advice.  

Garden and Plant Watering Requirements

How much water does my garden need?

Many people in Darwin struggle over how much to water their garden. You may have a mix of lawn, natives and exotics, with each needing different amounts of water to survive and thrive.  Do you water for twenty minutes or thirty minutes, every day or every second day?  

It seems really complicated, but it doesn’t have to be.  As a general guide we recommend:

• In the dry season we recommend the 3, 2, 1 guide to watering -  three days a week for lawn, two days a week for exotics such as fruit trees and palms, and one day a week or less for natives such as acacias, grevilleas and eucalypts. 
• Your lawn and plants need 10 mm of water each time you irrigate and just 30 mm of water over a week.

It’s a good idea to keep in mind that this is a guide and not a rule, as every garden is different and will therefore require different amounts of water.  By using this as a general guide to get started in water efficient irrigation, you can alter the amount you water by 5 minutes at a time until you reach a watering amount that you, and your garden, are happy with.  You can do a catch can test to determine how long to irrigate to reach 10mm of water.

How can the Weather Web help me work out if I need to water my garden?

The weather stations transmit weather data to the Weather Web. This data includes rainfall.  You can use this information to help you make smart decisions about watering your garden, based on the rainfall in or nearby your suburb.

Remember these guidelines about how much water your garden needs to stay healthy:

• Your garden generally needs at least 10 mm each time it gets watered (hopefully by rain, but if not by your irrigation).
• Your garden generally needs just 30 mm of water over 7 days.
• Every garden is different. Follow the above two guidelines, but always keep an eye on your plants and give them a drink if they look thirsty.

If you have a smart irrigation controller, once you have set your weather triggers in the controller and connected it to the Weather Web, it will read the weather automatically and do all the work for you!

How can a smart irrigation controller help me water my garden the right amount?

Don’t have the time or interest in keeping an eye on the weather?  Or not sure how to adjust your irrigation controller each time the weather changes?   Consider investing in a smart irrigation controller and connect it to the Weather Web.  

Smart irrigation controllers can automatically control and adjust the amount of water your garden receives based on the real-time weather data from the Weather Web.  If you have a smart irrigation controller ensure your pre-programmed weather triggers include a setting that instructs the smart irrigation controller to switch off if more than 10 mm of rain is received in a 24 hour period.

How do I know if my garden gets 10 mm of water when I irrigate?

Are you still wondering how to ensure your garden is getting 10 mm of water each time your irrigation turns on?  Good question!  The simplest way is to determine the application rate of your sprinkler head (this equals the precipitation rate of rainfall!).  

Here’s a quick reference guide to help:

*This is a guide only and will change depending on brand and sprinkler type

You could also do a catch can test that will determine what the application rate is for your irrigation system. 

You still need to keep an eye on your garden and if it is looking thirsty, or water logged, then change your watering times by 5 minutes at a time until you and your garden are happy. 

You can also to alter the amount you irrigate each day according to factors such as the depth of your soil.  For example if you have shallow soil you could water your lawn 5 mm every day for six days, rather than 10 mm three days per week. There are lots of different factors that are specific to your garden that may influence your watering needs, it's therefore a great idea to book a free Garden Tune Up with a registered expert irrigator.  This includes:

1. A one hour irrigation audit with a registered Living Water Smart irrigation specialist
2. Review and adjustment of your irrigation schedule to ensure your plants are getting just the right amount of water. The irrigation specialist will program your controller for you.
3. A check of your irrigation equipment and up to $50 of small on-the-spot irrigation repairs.
4. Water efficient gardening advice such as when to water, using mulch, information about soils and how much water different plants need. 
5. Recommendations about smart controllers and other technologies to further improve your garden irrigation and efficiency.

Who can help me set up my watering schedule and smart irrigation controller?

There are other factors to take into consideration when analysing water application from sprinkler types, such as the flow rate and operating pressure, size and height of the nozzle and the spray arc of the emitter.  There are also considerations such as hydrozoning, soils and mulch that should be taken into account when determining how much water your garden needs. Confused yet?  

We recommend you engage a professional irrigator to help you get your garden irrigation just right.  We offer a free Garden Tune Up with a registered irrigator who will audit your irrigation system providing advice about how to best achieve a water efficient irrigation system – they’ll also make minor on the spot repairs up to the value of $50.

 Business and Commercial Sector

How can my business or organisation benefit from the Weather Web and smart irrigation controllers?

For businesses and organisations that have a garden or large green spaces to maintain, smart irrigation controllers can potentially reduce water use by an extra 20% on an already efficiently designed and operated irrigation system. 

Through the Weather Web, a smart irrigation controller can reduce water use by automatically adjusting the irrigation schedule to suit current or forecast weather conditions. This can save money on a business’s bottom line in two ways; firstly by reducing unnecessary water use and secondly by reducing staff time needed to adjust irrigation systems. 

Smart irrigation controllers can be set-up and monitored from a smart phone or a computer system, either on-site or remotely.

What assistance is available to help me decide if my business will benefit from a smart irrigation controller?

Whether you are a small operator with just a small front garden, a large industrial business using water in production, or a not for profit organisation looking for extra funds to use on your core activities, chances are you can make both water and dollar savings by being smarter with the way you use water.

Any business, government or not for profit organisation in the Darwin region is eligible for a free Water Use Health Check with Living Water Smart. The Water Use Health Check includes:

• An analysis of your water use in real time
• A breakdown of your water use by key areas in your business including irrigation, leaks and general use
• A quantified weekly cost for each water use area
• Easy actions to help you save water and advice about smart technology, such as smart irrigation controllers and their payback period. We’ll also let you know if you’re eligible for any Living Water Smart rebates, such as a Garden Tune Up rebate.

Book your Water Use Health Check by calling Living Water Smart on (08) 8995 5861 or send an email to: info@livingwatersmart.com.au

How can my business reduce water use in the garden if I don’t have a smart irrigation controller?

You can still access weather and rainfall data for your suburb at the Weather Web to help you determine if you should turn your irrigation on or off.  

In general, watering less often, for slightly longer periods, encourages deeper root growth in grasses and plants. Deep roots enable a plant to access more ground water in the cooler soil below. In the dry season we recommend watering three days a week for lawn, two days a week for exotics such as fruit trees and palms, and one day a week or less for natives plants and trees such as acacias, grevilleas and eucalypts.

In the Top End climate, most irrigation systems have a useful life of about 10-15 years. Include an item in your annual budget to account for a complete system overhaul about every 12 years. This will not only ensure that your gardens and lawn stay looking amazing but will also save you money on your water bill and will reduce maintenance repair costs and potential leaks.

Property Managers, Renters and Multi-dwelling complexes

I am a rental tenant in a house or unit with a private garden and irrigation system. How can I benefit from the Weather Web?

If there is a standard (central automated) irrigation system at the house you rent, and you have access to adjust it manually, you will be able to turn off the irrigation system based on the amount of rainfall that is measured in your suburb which you can access at the Weather Web. This will ensure the garden won’t be overwatered and that you are using Darwin’s water supply wisely. Your landlord will thank you for the water savings. If you pay for all or some of the water use on the property, you will benefit from the savings! 

If your landlord invests in a smart irrigation controller, the irrigation system can be connected to the Weather Web and set up to adjust automatically. If you are not sure how much water you use in the garden, or want to know more about smart irrigation controllers, you, or your landlord or property manager, can book a free Garden Tune Up with one of our irrigation specialists.

I am a rental tenant, owner or body corporate member in a unit/ apartment complex with a shared garden area. How can I benefit from the Weather Web?

Shared garden areas and irrigation systems at unit or apartment complexes can often be a source of great frustration to tenants and owner-occupiers. They can be over-watered, under-watered, have leaking or broken irrigation and no single person is able to take responsibility. But investing in an automated irrigation system, ideally a smart irrigation controller, can greatly assist in the management of shared areas.

There are two main ways that the Weather Web can assist you, depending on whether there is a standard or smart irrigation system:

Low Tech – manually look up weather data and use this information to make smart decisions to water your garden efficiently.  You can turn on or off your irrigation according to how much rain your suburb has received and how much water your garden needs.

Hi Tech - the automatic adjustment of your watering schedules via a smart irrigation controller that has been programmed with weather triggers like - “don’t water if the last 24 hours has had 10 mm or more of rain.”

Investing in a smart irrigation controller can help your garden get just the right amount of water based on the rainfall in your suburb. You don’t have to lift a finger! Some smart irrigation controller models can detect leaks and water use anomalies so they can be identified and dealt with quickly.

What assistance is available to help improve our garden water use in our rental property?

If you are a tenant, body corporate member or property manager, you can engage a professional irrigator to help you get your garden irrigation just right through Living Water Smart’s free Garden Tune Up service. A Living Water Smart registered irrigator will audit your irrigation system and provide advice about how to best achieve a water efficient irrigation system. They’ll also make minor on the spot repairs up to the value of $50 and can offer advice on whether installing a smart irrigation controller will be suitable for your situation.

I am a property manager in Darwin. How can I help my clients benefit from the Weather Web and smart irrigation controllers?

The Weather Web and smart irrigation controllers are a great solution to managing garden watering and water bills on behalf of your clients. If a standard (central automated) irrigation system is in place at the property, the addition of a smart irrigation controller can take most of the management of the irrigation scheduling off your to do list and save your landlord's money. The irrigation will turn off and on according to the weather data that is collected in your suburb via the Weather Web.

Schools

How are Darwin schools involved in the Weather Web?

Living Water Smart has collaborated with over 30 local schools in the Darwin region to install weather stations on their rooftops, which has created the Weather Web. Schools are relatively evenly dispersed across the city, so they were chosen as sites to collect weather data from suburb to suburb. This means all residents across the region can access localised weather data to help them know how much to water their garden.

How are schools benefiting from the Weather Web?

Each participating school has had a smart irrigation controller installed to help them water their large green spaces and ovals more efficiently based on localised weather conditions, which can save up to 50% on their water bills.  Training has been provided to school grounds staff about how to make the most of the smart irrigation controllers and Weather Web, how to keep on top of irrigation leaks through leak alerts, and how to access their web portal to see how much water is being used.

Which schools are participating?

Find out which schools are participating by searching the Weather Web map. 

How will school students benefit from the Weather Web and the weather station at their school?

Living Water Smart has developed lesson plans that are linked to the Australian Curriculum to teach students about the link between weather and water use in the garden. The weather station and smart irrigation controller at each school provides a practical example of how smart technology works, and helps kids understand the weather cycle.

Irrigation Suppliers

How can my customers benefit from the Weather Web and smart irrigation controllers?

The Weather Web and smart irrigation controllers are a great solution to managing garden watering on behalf of your customers. If a standard (central automated) irrigation system is in place at the property, the addition of a smart irrigation controller can help your customers better manage their irrigation scheduling. The irrigation will turn off or on according to the weather data that is collected in the suburb via the Weather Web.

As an irrigation specialist, you can offer your customers an upgrade to a smart irrigation controller, knowing that they will be able to access reliable localised weather data. Or if you are setting up or installing an irrigation system from scratch you can promote the benefits of installing a smart irrigation controller from the get go. 

Other benefits to installing a smart irrigation controller for your customers:

• Your customers’ gardens will be watered at the correct level for the weather environment in their suburb, and based on the landscape and other variables in their garden, such as soil, slope, amount of sun and shade, types of sprinklers and plant types in each zone.
• Customers can schedule, start or stop irrigation or receive notifications via a smartphone app, even if they are on holidays or away from home.
• They can receive real-time alerts and notifications to detect leaks as they occur, rather than receiving a large water bill a few months later. 
• They appeal to customers who are excited about smart home technology.
• If your customer also happens to care about the environment, the benefits go deeper than the hip-pocket. It is a win-win!

If you conduct a Living Water Smart Garden Tune Up service at a customer’s property, it is a great opportunity to talk them about the Weather Web and other the benefits of installing a smart irrigation controller so they are watering their gardens efficiently for Darwin’s climate.

What are the benefits to my business in promoting smart irrigation controllers to customers?

• If programmed properly, smart irrigation controllers can eliminate the guesswork for setting watering schedules for your customers, ensuring their gardens get the correct amount of water at the right time and for the exact duration necessary.
• You can schedule, start or stop irrigation or receive notifications all via a smartphone app, adding value to the service you provide to your customers, even if they are on holidays or away from home.
• Provide real-time alerts and notifications that can immediately detect and help address leaks as they occur, rather than the customer receiving a large water bill a few months later.
• Having remote access to customers’ irrigation systems can avoid costly onsite visits for your customer and your team.
• The smart phone apps make it easier to train staff, particularly those with a propensity toward more technology-driven jobs.

If you conduct a Living Water Smart Garden Tune Up service at a customer’s property, it is a great opportunity to talk them about the Weather Web and the benefits of installing a smart irrigation controller so they are watering their gardens efficiently for Darwin’s climate.

What are the recommended setting for smart irrigation controllers in Darwin?

Actual weather events:

• Turn off irrigation when it rains over 10 mm.
• Decrease irrigation by 50% when it rains over 5 mm.
• Turn off irrigation when the last 7 days rainfall is higher than 30 mm.

Predictive weather events:

• Increase irrigation by 20% if forecast temperature is over 35 degrees.
• Delay irrigation if wind speeds over 50 km per hour are forecast.
• Delay irrigation when the chance of rain is over 95%.