Systems and Methods of Reducing Peak Water Usage

Abstract

An irrigation management system reduces high peak water use values by utilizing a microprocessor disposed in an irrigation controller to (a) receive peak water use information from a source other than a water supplier (b) receive water use information at a consumer site, and (c) automatically derive a new irrigation schedule that is at least partly based on the information received. The new irrigation schedule preferably includes at least one of a modification in a default irrigation frequency or start time, a reduction in a default irrigation application duration, the use of a rolling-average in the determination of the new irrigation application duration and other changes or modifications to the default irrigation schedule that will provide for the reduction in high peak water use values. Additionally, the microprocessor will display to the water user and/or third parties details on the new irrigation schedule and information received from the water supplier.

1 . An irrigation management system comprising a microprocessor disposed in an irrigation controller that is programmed to:
 (a) receive water-use information on water use at the consumer site;   (b) automatically derive a new irrigation schedule having a new irrigation application duration that is determined at least partly based on a rolling average calculated from the water-use information; and   (c) execute the new irrigation schedule.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein water-use information comprises peak water-use information affecting peak water-use at the costumer site. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the new irrigation schedule comprises a modified peak water use that is at least partly based on the peak water-use information. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the rolling average comprises an average over at least three days. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the rolling average comprises an average over at least seven application times. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a triggering mechanism that is configured to initiate use of the rolling average. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the triggering mechanism initiates use of the rolling average when water use is near a maximum threshold value. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the triggering mechanism initiates use of the rolling average when irrigation watering duration exceeds a maximum duration time. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the water-use information is received from a source other than a water supplier. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the new irrigation schedule comprises a modification of a default irrigation frequency. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the new irrigation schedule comprises a reduction in a default application duration. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the new irrigation schedule comprises a modification of a default start time.