Denver Water billing

[davebarnes]

Originally Posted by Therblig

Whereas a $25 rain sensor is pretty much perfect and as local as you can get.

How do you connect a rain sensor in the front yard to the controller in the garage which is on the alley?

[Therblig]

Originally Posted by davebarnes

How do you connect a rain sensor in the front yard to the controller in the garage which is on the alley?

Is the weather pattern different between the front yard and the alley? I mean, Denver weather can be weird, but that's a bit extreme even so.

The rain sensor for an irrigation system is an elegantly designed bit of junk. It's typically mounted on a roofline or gable so that, you know, rain can hit it, and wiring run down to the controller. It uses an absorbent disc that expands proportionally to the amount or rain received, making its effect proportional to the needed reduction in watering. A little sprinkle, it might stay triggered for a few hours, but a midnight shower won't necessarily keep the 7 a.m. cycle from running. A heavier rain might stop one cycle or two across a day.

No wifi. No internet. No analysis of microclimate. No second-guessing. One simple mechanical adjustment (usually by turning the ratcheting body to adjust the rain-response level). Lifespan of... many years. Install it, connect it and forget it. No running out front or out back or scampering out of bed to switch off sprinklers (or switch them back on).

If you are frugal enough not to want a sprinkler installation with an automatic controller to run in the rain, it's about $25 and something under an hour installation time.

No app needed.

[davebarnes]

Originally Posted by Therblig

The rain sensor

I apologize.
You have been writing about rain sensors and I have been thinking about moisture sensors.

You are correct that a rain sensor can be installed anywhere on your property.
A moisture sensor is different as the specific location is important.

What I like about the Rachio 3 controller is its focus on lawn moisture content.

[xeric]

Originally Posted by davebarnes

1. Not scarce for home use. 80% of available water goes to agriculture. Only 15% for home use. City dwellers can buy up farmers' water rights.

Funny how this never seems to prevent the Front Range cities and water districts from trying to build more environmentally-damaging water projects that would divert more western slope water.

Originally Posted by davebarnes

2. Per capita Denver Water usage has been declining for 20 years.
https://www.denverwater.org/your-wat...ning/water-use

And this decline started a mere 20 years after the Denver Water Department began recommending and promoting xeriscape. Judging by the looks of most people’s yards today, we may see some real progress in another 20 years.

Originally Posted by davebarnes

3. Every day, households, in the metro area, make micro decisions to use a bit less water. Toilets, dishwashers, washing machines, xeriscaping, a few more plants and bit less lawn.

You forgot turning the water off while brushing your teeth.

Originally Posted by davebarnes

Not significant in the grand scheme of things. And, besides, we'll all be dead soon; you young whippersnapper.

Can’t afford a broom I guess.