Across the United States, over-irrigation has become a significant concern for many farms relying on external irrigation methods. This practice can lead to excessive water usage, particularly on hillsides, resulting in waste and increasing the risk of erosion. Such erosion can destabilize soil, potentially leading to dangerous landslides and other environmental issues. To address these challenges, developing smart irrigation systems is essential. These systems utilize technology to monitor soil moisture and weather conditions, allowing for precise water application. By optimizing water use, smart irrigation can significantly reduce waste and minimize environmental damage. Embracing these innovative practices not only conserves valuable water resources but also promotes sustainable agriculture for future generations.
The focus of iteration 1 was to confirm that soil-based automatic irrigation was effective at reducing water usage. This system had one solenoid valve that opened and closed depending on the soil moisture. It would log the soil moisture as well as the time the valve spent open every day. A pump had to be utilized as gravity alone did not provide enough pressure for the solenoid valve to open. Below are wiring diagrams and pictures of iteration 1.
Iteration 2 was a slight modification of iteration 1. The wiring and components stayed the same; however, this time it was modulating the National Weather Service to prevent irrigation before rain. It proved effective and was able to reduce the water usage even more than iteration 1.
The focus of iteration 3 was to take what was learned in both iterations 1 and 2 and add in a second solenoid valve to help combat hillside irrigation. The changes in components were not excessively hard as it was mainly just doubling what was already there and adding on a little logic due to ensure the pump was on at the correct times. This resulted in saving even more water than prior iterations.
