It's not the Jetson's just yet, but new technology in irrigation may make automatic sprinklers truly automatic.

Instead of sprinklers clicking on twice a week because that's when they're allowed to run, imagine a controller with a satellite link to a weather station that determines if the lawn really needs water. Or you could have a "solar gauge" that measures intensity and length of sunshine before sprinklers start.

"Right now, the only thing automatic about automatic sprinklers is automatic waste," says Chris Dewey, a Florida Yards & Neighborhoods professional who specializes in working with builders and developers.

Even the highest-tech sprinklers run on electronic controllers connected to a rain gauge that shuts down the system when it receives a certain amount of water. However, a rain gauge placed incorrectly - under an eave or near a gutter where it catches overflow - may register much more or less water than actually falls. And unless somebody reprograms the controller, the lawn will get just as much water in February as it does in June, even though it needs much less.

In California, Arizona and Colorado, where water conservation has been an issue since the mid-1970s, technological advances are helping homeowners give their lawns exactly the amount of water they need. While they have not been tested in Florida, researchers are hopeful that they'll make a difference here too.

The University of Florida is testing a half-dozen technologies in the lab with plans for "real-world evaluation" next year, notes Michael Dukes, an assistant professor in the department of agricultural and biological engineering. "If we can prove they work the way they should, they could save a very large amount of water," he says.

While testing has just begun, several technologies show promise in residential settings, Dukes adds. "Most people can't program their VCR, let alone their irrigation controller - it's just too complicated. These systems may take a lot of the confusion out of the equation."

A conference on June 17 - scheduled after the American Water Works Association exposition in Orlando - is expected to attract the biggest names in the business to Pasco County. "They probably wouldn't come all the way across the country for a meeting but since they'll already be here, we've been able to get commitments from a number of manufacturers," Dewey said.

The Pasco conference is aimed at irrigation contractors and builders. "The big advantage to this technology is that it takes people out of the equation," Dewey said. "Instead of having to educate 400,000 people in Pasco County on how to use their irrigation systems effectively, we can help irrigation contractors and builders install technology that gives a landscape the water it needs without overwatering."

For more information on the conference, contact Dewey at 352-521-4288.

"Right now, the only thing automatic about automatic sprinklers is automatic waste."

- Chris Dewey

The Difference Between "Can" and "Should"

A funny thing happened on the way to water conservation as Tampa Bay homeowners learned to live with water restrictions. All across town, rain or shine, automatic sprinklers click on twice a week because those are the days they're allowed to run.

In fact, lawns only need about ¸ to 3/4 inch of water every week, and they're better off getting it all at once because deep watering promotes deep roots. Florida-friendly homeowners:

• Wait until plants are thirsty before watering. You'll see grass blades begin to fold and shrubs stay wilted after sunset.
• Use drip irrigation on a separate zone for trees and shrubs.
• Mulch plants to slow down evaporative loss.
• Keep grass at least two inches high to shade roots and hold moisture.
• Have a rain gauge to know how much water their lawn is actually receiving.

For more high-tech irrigation gadgetry, visit these sites:

Aqua Conserve

WaterWatcher

WeatherSet

Aquacraft