Post on 24-Sep-2020
This presentation premiered at WaterSmart Innovations
watersmartinnovations.com
SNWA Watering Group Assistant Study
Kent Sovocool Mitchell Morgan Michael Drinkwine Philip Orme
When are people really inefficient?
Day-of-Week Watering Restrictions
Day-of-Week Watering Restrictions
Compliance Model for Fall 2007
7%
25%
68%
Complete Compliance
Averaged Three or Fewer Irrig. Days perWeek
Averaged Four or More Irrigation Daysper Week
Background Seasonal research on mandatory watering
restrictions reveals low rates of compliance and that the most water on a relative basis is wasted during the Fall.
Messaging appears to have a positive influence
on compliance, but difficult to sustain. SNWA Board in 2007 authorized $250,000 for
RFP for development of a device that would assist residents in complying with watering restrictions – The Watering Group Assistant.
What is a Watering Group Assistant?
A novel device that, properly used, keeps any common irrigation system in compliance with watering restrictions.
Interrupts the common wire.
Capabilities for both spray and drip stations.
In theory, people can always
be in compliance after installation. No more having to remember to change your clock.
Compliance with both day-of-
week and time of day restrictions throughout the year.
So, Let’s See them!
Alex-Tronix Model Dig Indoor Model Dig Outdoor Model
Irrometer Model Hunter Model Toro Model
Research Results
Initial Popularity based on 1st month’s requests
29
15
50
11
3
42
Satisfaction Surveys
At the end of 2010 Surveys were mailed out to all currently enrolled participants 357 mailed out 113 returned 32% return rate
Questions asked respondents to rate device(s), study, and other demographic factors
What Level of Familiarity do you have with the Watering Group Assistant (after a couple years
use)?
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
1 - Very Unfamiliar 2 - Not So Good 3 - Okay 4 - Very Good 5 - Excellent
17%
4%
46%
25%
8% 8% 8%
28% 24%
32%
5%
10%
38%
24% 24%
0%
17%
37%
27%
20%
0%
22%
56%
22%
0%
17%
8%
21%
38%
17%
Alextronix
DIG In
DIG Out
Hunter
Irrometer
Toro
81% at least “Okay” level of Familiarity
Participant Average Familiarity with Watering Group Assistant Rating (after a couple years use)
0.00
0.50
1.00
1.50
2.00
2.50
3.00
3.50
4.00
Alextronix DIG In DIG Out Hunter Irrometer Toro
2.79
3.64 3.52 3.50
3.00 3.29
Alextronix
DIG In
DIG Out
Hunter
Irrometer
Toro
1 - Very Unfamiliar 2 - Not So Good 3 - Okay 4 - Very Good 5 - Excellent
Differences Not Statistically Significant for this sample size
How Satisfied were you with the Watering Group Assistant?
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
1 - Unsatisfactory 2 - Needs Improvement 3 - Average 4 - Very Good 5 - Excellent
8% 8%
29%
17%
38%
0%
8% 8%
27%
58%
5% 5%
10%
29%
52%
0%
7%
17%
40% 37%
22%
0%
22%
44%
11% 9% 9%
23%
41%
18%
Alextronix
DIG In
DIG Out
Hunter
Irrometer
Toro
89% at least “Okay” level of Satisfaction
Participants Average Satisfaction with Watering Group Assistant Rating
Differences Not Statistically Significant for this sample size
0.00
0.50
1.00
1.50
2.00
2.50
3.00
3.50
4.00
4.50
Alextronix DIG In DIG Out Hunter Irrometer Toro
3.32
4.32 4.19 4.07
3.22 3.50
Alextronix
DIG In
DIG Out
Hunter
Irrometer
Toro
1 - Unsatisfactory 2 - Needs Improvement 3 - Average 4 - Very Good 5 - Excellent
How well do you feel the Watering Group Assistant Matches Water Use with your Landscape?
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
1 - Doesn't Match 2 - Not So Well 3 - Okay 4 - Very Well 5 - Excellent
13% 13%
26%
35%
13%
0%
8%
17%
38% 38%
5% 5%
10%
29%
52%
0%
13% 13%
33%
40%
25%
0%
38% 38%
0%
5%
23%
27%
36%
9%
Alextronix
DIG In
DIG Out
Hunter
Irrometer
Toro
83% at least “Okay” level of Satisfaction
Average Watering Group Assistant Matches Water Use Rating
0.00
0.50
1.00
1.50
2.00
2.50
3.00
3.50
4.00
4.50
Alextronix DIG In DIG Out Hunter Irrometer Toro
2.79
4.04 4.14
4.00
2.88
3.50 Alextronix
DIG In
DIG Out
Hunter
Irrometer
Toro
1 - Doesn't Match 2 - Not So Well 3 - Okay 4 - Very Well 5 - Excellent
Differences Not Statistically Significant for this sample size
What Benefit do you find Most Pleasing about the Watering Group Assistant?
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
1 - Auto adjusts 2 - No WW Fees 3 - H2O Conservation 4 - Less Clock Programing 5 - Saves Money
80%
4% 8%
0%
8%
54%
13% 10% 10%
13%
91%
9%
0% 0% 0%
58%
5%
15% 15%
8%
71%
0%
29%
0% 0%
50%
4%
25%
14%
7%
Alextronix
DIG In
DIG Out
Hunter
Irrometer
Toro
Percentage of Participants that Dropped out of Study
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
Alextronix DIG In DIG Out Hunter Irrometer Toro
8%
18%
26%
8%
43%
18%
Alextronix
DIG In
DIG Out
Hunter
Irrometer
Toro
Problems with original programming. Irrometer fixed these, but nonetheless many
participants dropped out due to dissatisfaction
Early Study Group Observations
59%
41%
Fall-Winter Average Day-Of Week Compliance - Examination of 30 Days before installation
Non-Compliance
Comply
Sample Size = 105
Early Study Group Observations
29%
71%
Fall-Winter Average Day-Of Week Compliance - Examination of 30 Days after installation
Non-ComplianceComply
Sample Size = 105
Historical Watering Day Restriction Compliance
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Spring'05
Fall '05 Winter'05 - '06
Spring'06
Fall '06 Winter'06 - '07
Spring'07
Fall '07
18
4.2 7 11.1 3.7
18.4 12.4
7.6
43
23.8
36
49
18.1
37.3
37.8
24.2
39
72
57
39.9
78.2
44.3 49.8
68.2
Perc
ent o
f Sam
ple
Sample Period
Irrigated More
Irrigate AllowedNumber
Perfect Compliance
Compliance Rates for Day of Week Restrictions Historical vs. Watering Group Assistant (WGA)
23%
26%
51%
WGA Fall 2008 n = 53
8%
24%
68%
Historical
Complete Comply
Averaged AllowedDays
Averaged More ThanAllowed
n=236
8%
24%
68%
Historical
Complete Comply
Averaged Allowed Days
Averaged More ThanAllowed
n=236
43%
19%
37%
WGA Fall 2009 n = 139
Compliance Rates for Day of Week Restrictions Historical vs. Watering Group Assistant (WGA)
Compliance Rates for Day of Week Restrictions Historical vs. Watering Group Assistant (WGA)
8%
24%
68%
Historical
Complete Comply
Averaged AllowedDays
Averaged More ThanAllowed
n=236
25%
29%
46%
WGA Fall 2010 n = 151
Average number of Irrigation Days per week – Fall
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Perc
ent o
f Sam
ple
Average Number of Irrigation Days Per Week
Pct Historical Pop
Pct All WGAs
4.47 days per week
3.92 days per week
Compliance Rates for Day of Week Restrictions Historical vs. Watering Group Assistant (WGA)
11%
41%
49%
Historical
Complete Comply
Averaged Allowed Days
Averaged More ThanAllowed
n=224
41%
31%
28%
WGA (Winter 2009) n = 135
Compliance Rates for Day of Week Restrictions Historical vs. Watering Group Assistant (WGA)
11%
41%
49%
Historical
Complete Comply
Averaged AllowedDays
Averaged More ThanAllowed
n=224
21%
41%
38%
WGA (Winter 2010) n = 155
Average number of Irrigation Days per week – Winter
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Perc
ent o
f Sam
ple
Average Number of Irrigation Days Per Week
Pct Historical Pop
Pct All WGAs
1.63 days per week
2.09 days per week
Compliance Rates for Day of Week Restrictions Historical vs. Watering Group Assistant (WGA)
27%
44%
30%
WGA Spring 2010 n = 147
15%
47%
38%
Historical
Complete Comply
Averaged AllowedDaysAveraged More ThanAllowed
n=219
Compliance Rates for Day of Week Restrictions Historical vs. Watering Group Assistant (WGA)
31%
32%
37%
WGA Spring 2011 n = 109
15%
47%
38%
Historical
Complete Comply
Averaged AllowedDaysAveraged More ThanAllowed
n=219
Average number of Irrigation Days per week – Spring
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Perc
ent o
f Sam
ple
Average Number of Irrigation Days Per Week
Pct Historical Pop
Pct All WGAs
3.64 days per week
3.50 days per week
Compliance Rates for Day of Week Restrictions By Season Historical vs. All WGAs
61%
44%
70% 76%
65%
76%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
Fall Winter Spring
Perc
ent o
f Irr
igat
ion
Day
s in
Com
plia
nce
Season
Historical
All WGAs
70%
77%
66%
77%
84%
71% 75%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
Historical Dig Indoor Dig Outdoor Alex-Tronix Toro Irrometer Hunter
Perc
ent o
f Irr
igat
ion
Day
s In
Com
plia
nce
Group
p<.83 p=1.0 p<.77 p<.13 p=1.0 p<.99
Compliance Rates for Day of Week Restrictions By Season Historical vs. Each WGA for Spring (green denotes
statistically significant improvement relative to historical)
Compliance Rates for Day of Week Restrictions By Season Historical vs. Each WGA for Fall (green denotes statistically
significant improvement relative to historical)
61%
75% 70%
79% 78%
70%
80%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
Historical Dig Indoor Dig Outdoor Alex-Tronix Toro Irrometer Hunter
Perc
ent o
f Irr
igat
ion
Day
s In
Com
plia
nce
Group
p<.01 p<.76 p<.00 p<.00 p<.88 p<.00
Compliance Rates for Day of Week Restrictions By Season Historical vs. Each WGA for Winter (green denotes
statistically significant improvement relative to historical)
44%
67%
55%
64% 66% 60%
69%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
Historical Dig Indoor Dig Outdoor Alex-Tronix Toro Irrometer Hunter
Perc
ent o
f Irr
igat
ion
Day
s In
Com
plia
nce
Group
p<.01 p<.86 p<.01 p<.01 p<.69 p<.00
WGA Water Savings Calculation - Winter
Historical Irrigation Days per Week = 2.09
WGA Group Irrigation Days per Week = 1.63
This represents a savings of 51.4 gallons per day.
51.4 X 120 days = 6165 gallons for Winter.
y = 112.96x + 38.736 R² = 0.9893
-
100
200
300
400
500
600
0 1 2 3 4 5
Aver
age
Dai
ly Ir
rigat
ion
Use
Average Irrigation Days per Week
Savings: 1047 gallons per home average in Spring. 6355 gallons per home average in Fall. 6165 gallons per home average in Winter.
Potential Savings = 12,520 to 13,567 gallons per Home/YR
on average (13% of irrigation use during these seasons. 37%-39% of
max theoretical savings)
WGA Water Savings Calc
Concerns about successful scaling of seasonal water
savings to annual consumption
Treatment Group
-
10.00
20.00
30.00
40.00
50.00
60.00
Mon
thly
Con
sum
ptio
n (1
000s
of G
allo
ns)
WGA PostWGA Pre
Comparison Group
-
10.00
20.00
30.00
40.00
50.00
60.00
Mon
thly
Con
sum
ptio
n (1
000s
of G
allo
ns)
Compare PostCompare Pre
Both Groups
Both the Treatment and Comparison Groups show essentially identical levels of reduced annual usage. Note though not a perfect comparison.
Group JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC TOTAL Differences
WGA Pre 14.32 13.67 20.22 27.15 39.88 45.95 49.43 46.45 36.40 29.68 19.01 15.00 357.16
WGA Post 13.31 12.61 21.32 25.56 39.24 42.65 43.36 40.44 28.98 24.22 16.14 12.47 320.30 36.86
Compare Pre 15.58 14.60 20.62 26.26 36.80 42.48 46.11 43.31 35.39 29.43 19.94 16.45 346.97
Compare Post 14.14 12.88 19.35 23.42 32.83 36.10 39.30 38.44 32.11 26.98 19.42 15.29 310.28 36.70
Units = 1000s of gallons
WGA Group Reduction = 7420 gallons
Comparison Group Reduction = 3280
WGA Group Reduction = 3300 gallons
Comparison Group Reduction = 6390
Conclusions
Most people accepting of WGA and felt it matched water needs to landscape.
Most liked feature is automatic adjustment to each watering season restriction (convenience).
No clear evidence of differentiation by device in terms of acceptability though issue with initial Irrometer program was apparent.
Much higher overall level of compliance with day-of-week watering restrictions at properties with WGA.
Conclusions Compliance greatly improved in Fall and Winter
and may slightly be improved in Spring. Sustainment of savings over time could be an
issue. Any savings potential from summer Time-of-Day compliance not yet evaluated.
Evidence of statistically significant improvement in compliance in above seasons for Dig (Indoor), Alex-Tronix, Toro, and Hunter products.
Evidence of potential for significant water savings. In Las Vegas this could be 12,520 to 13,567 gallons per year per home (13% of outdoor irrigation use in target seasons).
Evidence of annual savings is elusive. Similar savings rate for comparison group as seen for treatment group.
Changed seasonal distribution of watering may not necessarily equate to water savings.
There may be a tendency towards over-reliance on the device, especially in non-target watering season (Spring/Summer). Speculation that people may not manage their irrigation as closely because they’re reliant on the device.
This may not favor the WGA approach as developed, but still more work needed to evaluate this.
Conclusions
Questions
SNWA Watering Group Assistant Study