Solano County Water Agency Quells Thirsty Landscapes with WeatherTRAK® Smart Water Management |
Lowe's, Westfield Solano and Other Leading Businesses to Save 30 Million Gallons of Water and 45,000 kWh of Power in 2008
Petaluma, CA, December 12, 2007 - HydroPoint, providers of WeatherTRAK solutions, today announced that Solano County Water Agency (SCWA) is subsidizing the cost of its smart water management network for local companies in a program designed to stretch water resources across its service areas, Solano County and parts of Yolo County. Lowe's Home Improvement, Phillips Edison, Weingarten Realty Investors, Westfield Solano and other businesses are participating in SCWA's program, which is projected to reduce landscape water use by an estimated 30 million gallons of water and conserve 45,000 kWh of power annually.
SCWA identified smart water management as a key objective because of the powerful "green multiplier effect" it delivers. Landscapes, which receive 58 percent of urban water (more than all indoor appliances combined), are typically overwatered by 30 to 300 percent. Excess water drains off overwatered landscapes, contributing to the urban runoff that compromises local water supplies. Further, water waste correlates directly to energy waste, and to the unnecessary consumption of fossil fuels. 1,500 kWh of power are expended with every one million gallons of water, according to EPA estimates.
"We sought the biggest bang for public funds, and that's why we're targeting landscapes - which use the lion's share of urban water - with a solution proven to conserve four times more water than any other technology," said David Okita, general manager, SCWA. Mr. Okita added, "Achieving smart water management with the WeatherTRAK solution is a green program with staying power because it provides a host of environmental benefits as well as a boon to businesses which see their operating costs reduced."
Through the program, SCWA contributes up to 80 percent of the cost of the smart water management network, which adjusts irrigation water output automatically based on daily, local weather conditions and landscape characteristics. SCWA selected the WeatherTRAK network because it is proven in public agency studies to eliminate 95 percent of water waste and to reduce runoff pollution by 71 percent.
"We're very pleased to participate in SCWA's innovative program," said Monty Stephens, general manager for Westfield Solano. "Westfield Solano is a high-profile destination for everyone in the community, so we're able to raise awareness of WeatherTRAK smart water management, and to serve as a role model for our retailers, customers and other businesses. We're demonstrating that by watering landscapes intelligently we can avoid costly and unsightly runoff-related property damage, reduce water bills and improve plant health for enhanced curb appeal," added Mr. Stephens.
"Programs like SCWA's yield positive and tangible results. They alleviate our water shortage and render expensive, taxpayer-funded infrastructure projects unnecessary while they provide a positive example of how going green with a proven solution yields both environmental and financial benefits," said Tom Ash, director of conservation, HydroPoint. "Our track record of successes in enabling communities from Petaluma and Solano County to Newport Beach and Santa Barbara to meet their water supply and water quality objectives makes clear that everyone can benefit from joining the WeatherTRAK smart water management network."
Companies interested in learning more about SCWA's program should contact WeatherTRAK representative Neil Coppinger at 800.362.8774, ext. 134 or ncoppinger@hydropoint.com.
About Solano County Water Agency
Formed in 1951, the Solano County Water Agency (SCWA) provides water supply and flood control services for cities and irrigation districts in Solano County and parts of Yolo County. SCWA leads efforts to protect rights to existing sources of water and works to secure new sources of water for water supply reliability and future growth. In addition to its irrigation customers, SCWA delivers untreated water to its member cities, who serve more than 400,000 residents. For more information, visit www.scwa2.com.
About WeatherTRAK
WeatherTRAK smart water management from HydroPoint Data Systems, Inc. is the proven green initiative that enables 13,000 subscribers to protect and improve property valuation by continuously optimizing irrigation and eliminating water-related property destruction and liabilities. Twenty-three independent studies prove that the WeatherTRAK network maximizes water conservation and improves landscape health. A California EPA-funded study proves WeatherTRAK's ability to reduce runoff pollution by 71 percent. Additionally, the WeatherTRAK product line received perfect scores across the board on the Smart Water Application TechnologyT protocol, developed by a consortium of public agencies to objectively measure smart controller performance. WeatherTRAK solutions are eligible for all public agency rebate programs and meet the highest U.S. standards for irrigation equipment, the State of California's. Headquartered in Petaluma, California, HydroPoint is privately owned and operated. For more information,
visit www.weathertrak.com.
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