 January
10, 2008 Specification Update
Update
The overall goal for performance testing of weather- or sensor-based
irrigation control technologies is to have quality test protocols
that can be performed at any qualified laboratory in the country.
Products that score well on the performance test should perform
well nationwide. As stated in the Notification of Intent, WaterSense
would like to use existing test protocols. At this time, the only
protocols for this product category are the Smart
Water Application Technology (SWAT) 
protocols drafted by industry and water utilities.
Note: As stated in the Notification
of Intent (14 pp, 193K, About PDF),
WaterSense intends to include weather-based irrigation controllers
and soil moisture sensors in this product category. When protocols
are at an acceptable stage to be considered for adoption by WaterSense,
we will move forward with draft specifications. At this time, only
the protocols for weather-based irrigation controllers are at that
stage. Therefore, the majority of the information below applies
only to weather-based irrigation controllers. Information regarding
soil moisture sensors will be available when a protocol is developed
and accepted by the industry.
Working Groups
Based on discussions at the April meeting, WaterSense established
four working groups to discuss issues pertinent to specification
development. The following groups met during the summer of 2007:
Performance Measures
Purpose: This group discussed the performance measures
of irrigation adequacy and irrigation excess (defined by Draft 7
of the Climatologically Based Controllers Testing Protocol of the
SWAT protocol) and the appropriate level of performance for WaterSense
labeled irrigation control technologies.
Status: This group met one time and is on hold
until there is agreement on a performance test protocol.
Simulated Weather
Purpose:This group discussed whether it was practical to
conduct controller testing using the existing SWAT protocol in combination
with a simulated weather data feed.
Status:This group met one time and concluded that
simulating weather for performance testing was not feasible.
Multiple Zone Testing
Purpose: This group discussed the potential requirement
for testing controllers in more than one climate (i.e., dry vs.
wet).
Status: This group met twice and concluded that
multiple testing facilities in differing climate zones should be
available for testing, but that products should only have to be
tested at one facility.
User Interface
Purpose: This group discussed appropriate user
interface features that should be considered by WaterSense when
developing the controller portion of the draft specification.
Status: This group met four times and drafted a
list
of features (PDF) (3 pp, 122K, )
to be considered in specification development. Note: This is a list
of 10 features the working group considered to be important to water
efficient irrigation control technology. WaterSense may consider
this list when developing the draft specification. A public comment
period will accompany the publication of the draft specification
allowing the public to provide input on any features that are included.
Because a public comment period will be open when the specification
is in draft form, no comments on the features will be accepted at
this time. These features may or may not appear in the final specification.
Outstanding Issues
Working group members identified a number of outstanding issues
regarding the SWAT protocol for weather-based irrigation controllers:
- Minimum test requirements (rainfall, ETo, test duration)
- Irrigation Excess due to rain and irrigation occurring on the
same day
- Transferability
- Reproducibility
There are two facets to the resolution of these remaining issues:
- In early 2008, SWAT will be entering a revision and comment
period to produce Draft 8 of the Climatologically Based Controllers
Testing Protocol. If you have comments on the SWAT protocol, please
visit the SWAT
Web site
for more information
- SWAT and WaterSense are considering additional controller testing,
including testing in a wet climate and using multiple laboratories.
Once the Draft 8 of the SWAT protocol is released and additional
testing has been conducted, WaterSense will evaluate the development
of a draft specification for this product category.
[Back to Draft Specifications for Weather-
or Sensor-Based Irrigation Control Technologies page]
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