Smarter Irrigation for Crops and Landscaping: Precision systems reduce water use, save money and improve plant health

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This is the tenth in a weekly series highlighting 15 green business innovations from Environmental Defense Fund's Innovations Review 2009

Humans beware: population growth and climate change are in cahoots to steal our water. This year has witnessed vicious wildfires in California, sagging reservoirs in the Southwest and Florida, and the current drought may be the worst in Texas' history.

Automatic irrigation systems contribute an important part of the problem and possible solution. Currently, there are about 60 million of these automated watering systems across the U.S., used by governments, real estate developers, suburban office parks and retailers. Most operate on timers-that is, they water the grass or plants every few days for a set number of minutes, regardless of whether it has been raining or not.

"This current technology makes about as much sense as having a timer instead of a thermostat in your house," says Chris Spain, the founder of a company called Hydropoint, which offers smart irrigation systems.

Water conservation, cost cutting, and increased yield

Born from parched necessity, a new crop of hydrological innovationsPureSense, Hydropoint, and Acequia are helping companies use less water-and save money-by precisely scheduling irrigation for crops and commercial landscaping. has sprouted to rectify our wasteful ways. By combining weather information, soil conditions and wireless communication, companies like

Hydropoint focuses on landscaping. Its customers include eBay, Lockheed Martin, Cisco, McDonald's, Wal-Mart, Amazon and Advanced Micro Devices. According to CEO Spain, landscaping consumes about 58% of urban water. Landscaping is typically overwatered by 30 to 300%.

The city of Newport Beach, CA., an early Hydropoint customer, says it reduced landscape runoff (and associated pollution) to its popular beaches by 70%.

PureSense markets to farmers, particularly California's big growers of grapes, nuts and fruits. Its customers include The Wine Group, which says it increased its yield three years in a row by 20 to 60% and reduced its operating costs by 15% after installing a PureSense system.

On the financing side, Austin, Texas-based Acequia uses a model similar to energy service companies (commonly-known as "ESCOs"). Acequia fronts the capital costs of putting in the system in return for a cut of the savings which clients (including American Airlines and Hilton Hotels) realize from reduced water bills.