Central Iowa homeowners have claimed almost all 60 free smart irrigation controllers in a pilot program testing how to ease summer water demand.
Why it matters: Central Iowa Water Works (CIWW) is testing whether small changes in lawn watering can deliver meaningful relief during periods of strained regional supply.
Catch up quick: CIWW developed the pilot to compare fixed-schedule irrigation with weather-responsive technology and to measure potential water savings.
- The $42,410 program, launched a week ago with unspent funds from last year, will not increase future water rates, executive director Tami Madsen tells Axios.
How it works: WiFi-connected devices replace fixed sprinkler timers and automatically adjust watering based on weather data, landscape conditions and predicted needs.
- Participants share irrigation information, providing CIWW with data to evaluate water savings and the effect on peak summer demand.
- The program can also shift watering schedules by up to 48 hours in response to expected high regional demand.
People who didn’t receive one of the free controls can still participate in the pilot program by purchasing their own devices, which cost under $300…