Sept. 16 2015
Irrigation control is one of many automated processes now joining the Internet of Things. With the proliferation of WiFi-enabled controllers, the industry is entering a unique point in defining its market.
Sept. 16 2015
Pumps are among the oldest machines ever invented by mankind. All the way back in 2000 BC, the Egyptians invented a device for raising water called a shadoof, a long, suspended rod with a bucket at one
Aug. 17 2015
Some years ago, effluent from a wastewater treatment plant in San Antonio, Texas, backflowed into the potable water system at the plant due to maintenance activities. On September 18, 1996, a meter
July 15 2015
The continuing drought conditions in California and the water use mandate set by Governor Jerry Brown are putting the hurt on landscapes. Turf is being vilified as wasteful, and people are feeling societal
July 15 2015
There’s a lot of talk these days about “smart home” technology and the “Internet of Things.” What this really means is remote control for every electrically-powered system
June 15 2015
These are thirsty times, and from all indications, they’re going to get thirstier. If you live in a drought area, you already have a taste of what this is like. Water conservation and watering
June 15 2015
Uncontrolled runoff in landscape irrigation systems has presented a problem for our industry for many years. Low head drainage is not only common throughout residential and commercial landscapes, it
May 15 2015
As a contractor who installs and repairs irrigation systems, you’re always looking for ways to get things done faster and more efficiently. So, when something comes along that looks like it could
April 15 2015
One of the retired attractions at Disneyland was the “Carousel of Progress.” You’d sit in a theatre and watch an animatronic family as they described how technology was improving their
March 16 2015
Whether you blame politics, the population explosion, climate change, or thirsty aliens from outer space, the reasons don’t really matter. What does matter is that the need to conserve water isn’t
Feb. 19 2015
When was the last time you had a good physical? A really thorough, front-to-back, inside-and-outside check of all your systems, to see if everything’s working right, or if something needs repairing
Dec. 15 2014
It’s a sunny afternoon in January. The popular Frank Loesser song swoons “Ah, but baby it’s cooooold outside,” softly in the background as you keep your toes warm by a roaring fire.
Nov. 17 2014
The late comedian Rodney Dangerfield had a catchphrase: “I don’t get no respect— no respect at all.” For a long time, the same thing could be said of water. Certainly, we knew
Oct. 15 2014
Graywater from a system at a Florida residence is piped into the home’s drinking water. “Yellow gushy stuff” coming out of some taps in Maryland turns out to be the powerful—and
Oct. 15 2014
Drought is still a problem in a large portion of our country, and experts say it’s going to keep on being one for some time to come, especially in the West. A water audit is meant to show your
Sept. 15 2014
Irrigation equipment companies today have their heads in “the cloud.” And that’s not a criticism. The same technological explosion that’s affecting all of our electronic devices
Aug. 15 2014
You gotta love technology—cell phones, digital video recorders, tablet devices… how did we ever live without them? Seems like some new gizmo rolls out every day. It’s tough to keep up
July 15 2014
There’s an old tale about a giant with a leaky faucet. In his home, the tale goes, the giant’s faucet has a terrible leak. Night after night, the leak drips and drips. And since it’s
July 15 2014
No doubt about it, 2Wire systems have revolutionized the irrigation industry. They’re as important an innovation as smart controllers, sensing devices, or water-saving sprinkler heads. They vastly
June 16 2014
If you think of an irrigation system as somewhat similar to the human circulatory system, it may be a little easier to understand how it works. Although there are other components that make up an irrigation
