Comox Valley Regional District Launches Smart Irrigation Controller Program
COURTENAY – The Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) is launching a rebate program for the installation of smart irrigation controllers for commercial and residential property owners connected to the Comox Valley water system.
Property owners are eligible for up to a $300 rebate on the purchase of a qualifying smart irrigation controller. The addition of smart control to an irrigation system helps residents use water more efficiently. These controllers provide irrigation only when required according to the weather and other environmental conditions, thereby reducing water use.
Impact of Summer Water Use
“The CVRD’s Water Efficiency Plan identified that there is a significant increase in water use during summer months. This increase is primarily driven by outdoor water consumption,” explains Marc Rutten, the CVRD’s senior manager of engineering services. “Typical irrigation systems have significant room for improvement in terms of how they control water use and the goal of this rebate program is to reduce summertime peak water demand by improving irrigation efficiency.”
“Unlike traditional controllers, which are really just timers, smart controllers work by monitoring and using information about site conditions (such as soil moisture, rain, wind, slope, soil, plant type, and more) and apply the right amount of water based on those factors – not too much and not too little – to maintain healthy growing conditions. Industry testing has proven that they can successfully reduce outdoor water use by as much as 20-40 per cent annually while maintaining, and often enhancing, the health and beauty of the landscape.”
“Residents are entitled to one rebate per installation address for a qualifying smart control device. The CVRD will complete a site inspection following installation to confirm that the smart controller has been installed as per the manufacturer’s guidelines. All irrigation systems must have backflow protection,” concludes Marc Rutten.