Irrometer Landscape Products

Landscape irrigation has expanded dramatically in the decades since the 1950's, when the first timer/solenoid valve type systems brought automatic irrigation to urban areas. Even in the humid/higher rainfall climates, landscape and recreational area irrigation is becoming routine and convenient.

One of the problems with "automatic" irrigation systems is the tendency of the user to "set it and forget it." This can result in water waste due to the system operating when water is not needed by the turf or plants. The concept of using soil moisture sensors to control an automatic irrigation system was pioneered by Irrometer in the 1960's. When wired into the control/valve wiring of these automatic systems, our products constantly measure the soil moisture status and allow the irrigation system timer to open the valves as programmed ONLY after the soil water has been allowed to deplete to the level where irrigation is actually needed. These instruments are adjustable for the desired moisture level, so you can "fine-tune" the settings for individual soil moisture management demands, resulting in truly smart watering.

Select this link for an overview of how soil moisture products are used to control water use in landscaping High resolution version

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WaterSwitch (New!)

Battery WEM (New!)

Watermark Electronic Module (WEM)

Watermark Multiple Hydrozone System

Watermark Monitor

Watermark Soil Moisture Sensor

Irrometer TG/TGA Tensiometer

Download the Irrometer Landscape Design Guide

Click here to view the Irrigation Water Management Society "Soil Moisture Demonstration Project"

Click here to learn about the EPA WaterSense program

Irrigation Association Smart Irrigation Month

Using the proven Watermark sensor, this simple device "controls the controller" so that watering is only allowed when necessary based on soil moisture status.

For residential use in turf grass with any 24 Volt AC controller with sensor (rain switch) connections.

Electronic Module (WEM)

The Watermark Electronic Module (WEM) is an electronic unit designed to control valves based on soil moisture requirements. Adjustable to plant requirements from 10 to 120 Centibars, the WEM uses input from Watermark Soil Moisture sensors to control individual valves, valve groups, or all valves. Irrigation controllers equipped with Watermark Electronic Modules control irrigation based on measured soil moisture, rather than the theoretical assumptions made by a climate based controller. The WEM includes a manual override and works with all 24 VAC controllers. Solid state electronics and potting ensure the module is maintenance free and long lasting.

Benefits:

Control your irrigation costs
Saver water, labor, and energy
Deliver water only when and where necessary
Grow healthier turf and plants
Mitigate pest and disease problems
Reduce fertilizer leaching
Protect groundwater by minimizing runoff
No more re-programing controllers for seasonal changes

The Watermark Electronic Module (WEM) is a smart controller that is more accurate than theoretical weather based irrigation control methods, because the WEM is reading the real moisture demands of the soil.

Battery WEM

The Battery WEM is designed for use with battery powered DC controllers that have a sensor circuit, functioning similarly to our standard WEM used with AC controllers.

Whenever a controller powers a valve, the WEM will either allow or prevent the irrigation based on soil moisture conditions. If the soil moisture is wetter than the setting selected on the WEM dial, an irrigation will be prevented. If the soil moisture is drier than the setting, the irrigation will be allowed.

Depending on the controller being used, either a closed or open switch position will be required to allow irrigation. The Battery WEM can be wired to accommodate either controller requirement, by selecting the appropriate switch connection wire pair.

Shown to the right are a Battery WEM with two Watermark sensors, as well as a wired installation of a Battery WEM on a DC controller.

The Watermark Multiple Hydrozone System organizes groups of WEM's to control valves for up to 8 separate moisture sensing areas, or "Hydrozones." The MHS is designed for large commercial irrigation systems with a variety of water demands over a large area. Each Hydrozone is individually adjustable with a range between 10 and 120 Centibars. The Multiple Hydrozone System is maintenance free and works with all 24 VAC Controllers. A manual override feature is included.

Monitor

The Watermark Monitor is a battery operated data logger capable of automatically taking and storing sensor readings. Watermark Monitors provide accurate soil moisture monitoring by reading and storing data from:

Watermark Soil Moisture Sensors

RSU Equipped Irrometer Tensiometers

Irrometer Soil Temperature Sensors

4-20 mA Sensors

On/Off Switches

Each Watermark Monitor can record 8 individual sensors at configurable intervals between once every minute to once daily, with a maximum possible 4096 days of continuously stored information. Temperature Sensor information is used to automatically compensate Watermark Sensor readings for temperature changes.

Current readings can be viewed in the field, or collected data can be downloaded by a PC or hand held device and displayed graphically for analysis with WaterGraph software, provided free with each Watermark Monitor.

Radio telemetry and modem connectivity options are also available for retrieving data from Watermark Monitors.

The standard 900M Watermark Monitor includes 7 Watermark Sensors, 1 Temperature Sensor, Software, Serial Cable, and Instructions.

WaterGraph Software, showing Watermark Sensors responding to an irrigation recorded with an On/Off switch
(displayed as blue background)

Radio Telemetry

Irrometer now offers FCC approved 1 watt, 900 MHz Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS) Radio Telemetry options for remote collection of data from Watermark Monitors. With the click of a mouse on a PC connected to a 900M-BR Base Radio module, retrieve data effortlessly from any number of local Watermark Monitors connected to our 900M-FR Field Radio Module. Radio line of sight ranges exceed 10 miles and Repeater Radio Modules are available for locations blocked by geography.

For Applications outside of the U.S., 100 mW 900 MHz and 50 mW 2.4 GHz Radio Modules are available with shorter ranges and less power to conform to local standards.

Power for the Radio Modules is provided by a solar battery pack mounted as a single package with the Watermark monitor, easily mounted to a pole or post and connected to the Radio Module by a single, weatherproof, cable of up to 50 feet in length.

A radio specific version of WaterGraph software is included which allows for easy graphical organization and selection of remote Radio Modules for downloading data, as well as for quick and simple configuration of Radio Modules.

PDA/Pocket PC Data Shuttle

Irrometer Data Shuttle software for Palm and Pocket PC allows easy retrieval of data from Watermark Monitors in the field. Just open the program, connect the cable, and select "Download" to retrieve data from multiple monitors. Sync up the PDA and import the files with WaterGraph Software to view and collect soil moisture data.

The Watermark sensor (granular matrix sensor) is an indirect, calibrated method of measuring soil water. It is an electrical resistance type sensor, read by data logging equipment or a Soil Moisture Meter (pictured below, center) which converts the electrical resistance reading to a calibrated reading of Centibars of soil water suction.

Patented in 1985 and manufactured by the Irrometer Company since 1989, this irrigation sensor has been a major break-through in soil moisture measurement technology. It has been the subject of scientific investigation by plant and soil science since the mid-1980's, and has demonstrated itself to be an affordable and practical substitute for tensiometric measurement in most agricultural and landscape irrigation environments.