Benefits of installing additional rain sensors within the UBC irrigation system : a business case analysis

Analysis of the irrigation data available indicates that rain sensors save 84% of the water used and are therefore economically viable on a plot of lawn of 260 sq. m and a bed of 520 sq. m based on a 10 year return period. The manufacturer specifies a water savings of 15% which would make rain sensors economically viable on a plot of lawn of 1460 sq. m and a bed of 2920 sq. m based on a 10 year return period. There is insufficient data to have confidence in the results from the data analysis so more research is required. If the results of the data analysis are confirmed then this report recommends rain sensors to be installed on all plots larger than the critical area. Plots smaller than the critical area can be transmogrified into rock gardens to further help achieve UBC’s goal of reducing their irrigation water consumption by 75% by 2020. Disclaimer: “UBC SEEDS provides students with the opportunity to share the findings of their studies, as well as their opinions, conclusions and recommendations with the UBC community. The reader should bear in mind that this is a student project/report and is not an official document of UBC. Furthermore readers should bear in mind that these reports may not reflect the current status of activities at UBC. We urge you to contact the research persons mentioned in a report or the SEEDS Coordinator about the current status of the subject matter of a project/report.”Applied Science, Faculty ofChemical and Biological Engineering, Department ofUnreviewedUndergraduat