SmartWater Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ for Commercial Operations

Operations

• What is the SmartSensor™?

SmartWater Technologies (SWT) has a patented soil moisture device called SmartSensor™ that reduces water consumption immediately.  SmartSensor™ technology retrofits into most modern electronic irrigation systems.  The SmartSensor™ is hard wired to the valve so that when the system timer sends current to open that valve, the SmartSensor™ allows irrigation if the soil requires water.

• How does the SmartSensor™ detect moisture?

Once there is moisture in the soil between the two antennas, the SmartSensor™ suspends the zone from watering until the moisture between the two antennas has dried out or the SmartSensor™ is bypassed.

• Does the SmartSensor™ work as a rain sensor?

Yes, it will suspend irrigation after a rain event if adequate moisture is detected by the SmartSensor™.

• How is SmartSensor™ pricing calculated?

The price of products and installation will vary with each property, geographical location, expenses, etc.  The cost will be determined upon completion of an audit.

Irrigation

• Can the SmartSensor™ be installed on an existing irrigation system?

Yes, the SmartSensor™ works with all brands (Toro, Rainbird, Hunter, etc.) of irrigation systems and is designed to augment activities of your current systems by providing you with “real time action at a local level”.

• Will the retrofit damage or negatively affect irrigation hardware?

No, the SmartSensor™ is connected to the field wires that originate from the controller.  There is no additional hardware added, except for a bypass switch on the existing irrigation systems controller.

• Can the SmartSensor™ be bypassed during an irrigation cycle?

Yes, SmartSensor™ can be turned on or off via a bypass switch to allow for “special events” watering.

Installation

• How many SmartSensors™ are installed per property?

The amount will vary with every site.  Sensors are connected into existing valves and every valve will consist of one sensor.

• How is location of SmartSensors™ determined?

Location of SmartSensor™ will be determined according to several criteria, i.e., elevation, slope, soil type, irrigation coverage, irrigation system, sunlight, shading, wind direction, etc. Communication between SWT certified installers and property management is essential to identifying locations.

• What is the installation depth of the SmartSensor™?

Depth will vary with climate, location, soil type, watering needs, type of grass, etc. The depth of the SmartSensor™ can be adjusted at anytime following installation.

• How much interruption occurs during installation?

Installation is geared towards as minimal disruption to business as possible.  The scope of work includes excavation and backfill of irrigation valves to properly connect the SmartSensors™ wiring to the valves.

• What type of soil is used for the sensor?

The ideal soil to be used on the sensor is the existing soil to the area of installation.  Additions of different soil types can increase or decrease saturation and dry time to the sensor and will be determined during the data collection and installation.

• How is SmartSensor™ training provided?

Training is provided by SWT certified personnel.

Product Integrity

• Can a SmartSensor™ fail?

With all technology, there are failures. However, the fail rate is under .02%.

• If a SmartSensor™ fails, what happens?

If a SmartSensor™ fails, the irrigation reverts back to the predetermined watering schedule.  The SWT team can answer any questions you may have about SmartSensor™ product integrity.

• How are SmartSensor™ replacements obtained after installation?

Any other sensors needed, will be on a sensor exchange program and purchased through SWT.

• What is the warranty on SmartSensor™?

The SmartSensor™ has a conditional, 10 year Manufacturers Warranty, which covers factory defects.

Post Installation Options

• How is the SmartSensor™ located for aerification events?

The SmartSensor™, as well as sprinkler heads and other pertinent information may be located by a GPS receiver during installation and mapped out for final installation.  The sensors can be located by a GPS receiver.

FAQ for Golf Courses

Operations

• What is the SmartSensor™?

SmartWater Technologies (SWT) has a patented soil moisture device called SmartSensor™ that reduces water consumption immediately.  SmartSensor™ technology retrofits into most modern golf irrigation systems.  The SmartSensor™ is hard wired to the valve so that when the system timer sends current to open that valve, the SmartSensor™ allows irrigation if the soil requires water.

• How does the SmartSensor™ detect moisture?

Once there is moisture in the soil between the two antennas, the SmartSensor™ suspends the zone from watering until the moisture between the two antennas has dried out or the SmartSensor™ is bypassed.

• Does the SmartSensor™ work as a rain sensor?

Yes, it will suspend irrigation after a rain event if adequate moisture is detected by the SmartSensor™.

• Can the SmartSensor™ be installed on greens or tees?

SWT prefers not to install on greens and tees due to the sensitive nature of particular turf grasses that need more frequent watering during the growing season.

• Can the SmartSensor™ be installed on clubhouse or other grounds areas?

Yes, the SmartSensor™ can be installed with any valve in head or block zone system.

• How is SmartSensor™ pricing calculated?

The price of products and installation will vary with the course, geographical location, expenses, etc.  The cost will be determined upon completion of an audit.

Irrigation

• Can the SmartSensor™ be installed on an existing irrigation system?

Yes, the SmartSensor™ works with all brands (Toro, Rainbird, Hunter, etc.) of irrigation systems and is designed to augment activities of your current systems by providing you with “real time action at a local level”.

• Will the retrofit damage or negatively affect irrigation hardware?

No, the SmartSensor™ is connected to the field wires that originate from the controller.  There is no additional hardware added, except for a bypass switch on the existing irrigation systems controller.

• Can the SmartSensor™ be bypassed during an irrigation cycle?

Yes, SmartSensor™ can be turned on or off via a bypass switch to allow for "special events" watering.

• How many SmartSensors™ are installed per course?

The amount will vary with every course. Typically, 1 sensor per every 1 valve in head sprinkler will be installed. Number of sensors will be determined during audit. On block zone systems, there will be one sensor per valve.

• How is location of SmartSensors™ determined on course?

Location of SmartSensor™ will be determined according to several criteria, i.e., elevation, slope, soil type, irrigation coverage, irrigation system, sunlight, shading, wind direction, etc. Communication between SWT staff and golf course staff is essential to identifying locations.

• What is the installation depth of the SmartSensor™?

Depth will vary with climate, location, soil type, watering needs, type of grass, etc. It is key that there is ongoing communication with golf course staff to aid in determining the proper depth.  The depth of the SmartSensor™ can be adjusted at any time following installation.

Installation

• How much interruption occurs during installation?

Installation is geared towards minimizing any disruption to golf course operations and play of golf.

• What type of soil is used for the sensor?

The ideal soil to be used on the sensor is the existing soil to the area of installation.  Additions of different soil types can increase or decrease saturation and dry time to the sensor and will be determined during the data collection and installation.

• How is SmartSensor™ training provided?

Training is provided by SWT certified personnel.

Product Integrity

• Can the SmartSensor™ fail?

With all technology, there are failures. However, the fail rate is under .02%.

• If a SmartSensor™ fails, what happens?

If a SmartSensor™ fails, the irrigation reverts back to the predetermined watering schedule. The SWT team can answer any questions you may have about SmartSensor™ product integrity.

• How are SmartSensor™ replacements obtained after installation?

SWT will provide you with extra sensors upon completion of job. Amount of sensors will be determined during audit. Any other sensors needed, will be on a sensor exchange program and purchased through SWT.

• What is the warranty on SmartSensor™?

The SmartSensor™ has a conditional, 10 year Manufacturers Warranty, which covers factory defects.

Post Installation Options

• How is the SmartSensor™ located for aerification events?

The SmartSensor™, as well as sprinkler heads and other pertinent golf course information may be located by a GPS receiver during installation and mapped out for final installation.  The sensors can be located by a GPS receiver.

FAQs Regarding SmartSensor™ and TORO

The following questions and answers have been prepared to provide highlights and advantages of the SmartWater system both compared to other systems and combined with your Toro Turfguard™ system.

• Does the SmartWater system replace current irrigation systems?

The SmartWater system does not replace your existing irrigation control platform or the requirements to have trained staff to monitor and control that technology. The system controls irrigation costs while maintaining the highest quality conditions and playability.

• How does SmartWater compliment existing irrigation systems?

SmartSensor™ works with all brands (Toro, Rain Bird, Hunter, etc.) of irrigation systems and is designed to augment activities of your current systems by providing you with real time action at a local level. As this is a direct connection to the heads wiring, there is no additional software required to activate SmartSensors™.

• How do SmartSensors™ operate?

SmartSensor™ is a continuous, real-time device that reacts to current turf conditions at the time the system is calling for water. SmartSensor™ makes adjustments to the run times on each individual valve as required moisture levels in the root zone are met. There is no loss of individual control and the SmartSensors™ are easily deactivated for special watering events such as fertilization, aerification, over seeding, etc.

• How is Toro Turfguard™ different?

Toro TurfGuard™ sensors are information collecting devices that measure moisture, temperature and salinity levels of the soil. This data is then compiled into tables and graphs. The Superintendent or turf manager decides how to use this information. TurfGuard™ sensors do not take any direct action. Thus, there is the potential for local conditions to still exist that these sensors will not accurately predict.

• How do the two products compare?

Resolution and granularity of control is different in the two products:

• SmartSensors™ are connected to each valve or valve-in-head. For example, if you have 1,200 valve-in-heads, you can install 1,200 sensors. This ensures that you have the correct action at each valve.
• Toro TurfGuard™ is limited to 500 sensors per system requiring that representative areas be selected to use as the basis for the analysis. This limited set of data must then be projected to the entire course.
• Will the SmartWater system installation disrupt play?

Installing SmartSensors™ requires limited interruption of play in areas where sensors are being installed. Installation is normally scheduled such that members and guests are not aware of the work being completed.

• What are the steps involved in the installation?

SmartSensors™ are placed in the soil using a hole cutter, however the SmartSensor™ installation often requires the use of a vibratory plow with a ¾” blade for the wire path and results in very minimal disruption to the fairway/rough surface. These areas are closely controlled so that recovery time is minimal following the installation. Due to the nature of the system being used, SmartSensor™ is currently not recommended for greens and tee boxes, so there is no interruption of those areas.

• If I add SmartSensors, what management controls will I have?
• The SmartWater Technologies SmartSensor™ will act as a direct control device to assist in overall water management, controlling water levels at individual valve locations.
• Toro TurfGuard™ is a macro-management tool that provides additional data to assist in the management of the course. 
• How is the SmartWater system priced for multiple properties?

We will negotiate pricing based on number of properties audited. Regarding concern over savings projections, performance of the SmartSensor™ system has been verified by an external engineering firm and those results are available for your review.