WEATHERTRAK RECEIVES IRRIGATION ASSOCIATION’S FIRST PERFECT SCORE ON SWAT PERFORMANCE TEST

WeatherTRAK-enabled Controllers from HydroPoint, Toro and Irritrol Score 100%

Petaluma, Calif. – Jan 26, 2006 – HydroPoint Data Systems, Inc., the leader in weather-based irrigation management, today announced that its WeatherTRAK smart controller line has achieved perfect scores on the Irrigation Association’s (IA) Smart Water Application Technology™ (SWAT™) performance test. SWAT test results are referenced by water purveyors and green industry professionals in selecting high-efficiency, weather-based irrigation controllers. Passing this test is a key requirement for inclusion in a growing number of public agency-sponsored smart controller rebate programs. WeatherTRAK is the first and only smart controller product line to receive perfect scores in the history of IA’s SWAT performance test.

Developed and administered by the Center for Irrigation Technology (CIT) for the IA, the SWAT protocol evaluates the ability of smart controllers to irrigate “virtual” test landscapes. Daily weather changes are simulated based on evapotranspiration (ET) data received from a selected California Irrigation Management Information System (CIMIS) weather station. After initial programming and calibrating, the controllers are expected to perform without further intervention during the month-long test period. The complete SWAT protocol may be viewed at www.irrigation.org. 

"We are proud that WeatherTRAK is the first and only smart controller line to receive a perfect 100% rating on the SWAT test,” said Chris Spain, president and CEO, HydroPoint Data Systems, Inc. “This underscores what the EPA and 18 other public agencies have proven and thousands of WeatherTRAK customers have experienced over the last eight years – WeatherTRAK delivers greater water bill savings than any other solution.”

SWAT performance results measure the degree to which smart controllers maintain root zone moisture levels within an acceptable range. Controllers are evaluated for both irrigation adequacy and irrigation excess. Irrigation adequacy reflects the percentage of water required for turf or plant material supplied by rainfall and controller-scheduled irrigation. Irrigation excess represents how much water is applied beyond the needs of the plant material. WeatherTRAK-enabled controllers achieved perfect marks in both areas, demonstrating optimal efficiency and zero overwatering.

WeatherTRAK-enabled controllers have outperformed every other smart controller in more than twenty studies conducted by public agencies including the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, Cal/EPA, Santa Barbara County Water Agency, Utah Division of Water Resources and numerous others. WeatherTRAK’s unique ability to completely automate irrigation based on daily, local weather conditions and individual landscape characteristics explain its track record of successes. The WeatherTRAK ET Everywhere™ service wirelessly transmits weather-based ET data to WeatherTRAK controllers each day. These daily updates trigger any needed adjustments to the irrigation schedules created by the controllers’ built-in WeatherTRAK Scheduling Engine™ software. All WeatherTRAK-enabled controllers include ongoing customer service for contractors and end users to ensure that water and cost savings are sustained for the life of the controller.

Available from the Toro Company (www.toro.com/irrigation/res/ smturfcont/intelli/index.html), Irritrol (www.irritrol.com) and HydroPoint (www.weathertrak.com), WeatherTRAK-enabled controllers are eligible
for all smart controller rebates programs in Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas and Washington.

ABOUT HYDROPOINT DATA SYSTEMS, INC.
HydroPoint and its partners provide WeatherTRAK weather-based irrigation management for residential and commercial landscapes. The proven WeatherTRAK system calculates customized irrigation schedules and then automatically adjusts irrigation as local weather changes. By automating the application of the right amount of water at the right time, WeatherTRAK improves landscape health, reduces water bills and protects the environment. WeatherTRAK is smart irrigation, made simple.
Based in Petaluma, California, HydroPoint is privately owned and operated. View a WeatherTRAK demo at www.weathertrak.com.