HydroPoint Data Systems, Inc. announced today that The Dorchester condominium association in the Town of Palm Beach, Florida saved 1.1 million gallons of water after implementing WeatherTRAK® Smart Water Management Solutions in early 2011 to deflect continuous rate hikes and new water use restrictions while optimizing landscape health and financial resources. The Dorchester success story will be featured during a 30-minute HydroPoint Sustainability 360° webcast event with the Palm Beach Civic Association on Thursday, October 13, 2011.
The Dorchester recognized immediate cash savings on the first water bill after installing a single WeatherTRAK® smart irrigation controller in January 2011, doubling the return on the initial $3,000 project investment by July 2011 while slashing the community’s water bills 12 percent within the first seven months of implementation.
“The cost of water is only going to go up,” said Mr. Ned Fleming, property manager for The Dorchester. “We know water pricing is never going to go down. To be proactive, I recommended WeatherTRAK to our Board of Directors as the leading solution and proven technology that would significantly reduce our irrigation run times and operating expenses. As a result, we protected our landscape from impending drought conditions and water use restrictions in the Palm Beach area.”
When the one-day-a-week watering restrictions were implemented during the summer months, Fleming and his landscape staff was able to prevent stress on the expansive turf areas by gradually reducing the water schedules and avoiding expensive plant replacement projects. A four acre community with 100 condominium units nestled on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, The Dorchester’s lush green grounds, a variety of tropical shrubs and native sea grapes receive precise amounts of water from the WeatherTRAK controller’s ET Everywhere™ scheduling engine to automate compliance with the weekly watering window.
The WeatherTRAK technology uses daily ET data to dynamically adjust the irrigation schedules as local weather conditions change, activate rain pause during hurricane season and identify specific water needs for each of The Dorchester’s 26 landscape zones based on programmable parameters such as plant, soil and slope type. The Dorchester staff can now monitor and manage the WeatherTRAK smart irrigation controller 24 hours a day, 7 days a week using the WeatherTRAK.net Central Internet Management application with enhanced reporting features and remote visibility to the program schedules and water budgets.
“With smarter water management, The Dorchester community realizes sustainable cost savings and creates operational efficiencies," explains Mr. Arthur Goldmacher, president of The Dorchester Board of Directors. "WeatherTRAK delivers immediate time to value and supports the town’s efforts to reduce water consumption."
Faced with growing water constraints and conservation measures, the Palm Beach Civic Association conducted an initial study of water usage among Town of Palm Beach residents in 2010. The Palm Beach Civic Association made updates to the study in March of 2011. Local government officials were startled to learn that Palm Beach residents and businesses currently consume a staggering 2.6 billion gallons of water each year – and 85% of that is used for landscaping. With Palm Beach homeowners using six times more water than the average Florida household, the Palm Beach Civic Association advocates progressive outdoor water conservation and the rapid adoption of smart irrigation technologies to preserve the area’s dwindling water supply and promote fiscal stability, saving homeowners, businesses and town agencies several millions of dollars annually. The Civic Association also advocated and lobbied to pass the current town ordinance requiring new construction or 50% remodeled properties to install smart irrigation controllers.
Ned Fleming, property manager at The Dorchester, and Mike Brown, communications director for the Palm Beach Civic Association, will join HydroPoint for a Sustainability 360° webcast and case study presentation on Thursday, October 13, 2011 at 11:00 am pacific / 2:00 pm eastern.
Register for the 30-minute Smart Water Management success story at: http://www.hydropoint.com/dorchester
Learning objectives for attendees:
About The Dorchester
The Dorchester of Palm Beach, Florida is located on a 400 feet stretch of pristine ocean beach frontage that is comprised of two five-story buildings; totaling 100 units with balcony views of the Atlantic Ocean. The condominium common property portrays a spirit of a luxury resort; complete with beach side umbrellas. This property truly reflects the high standards of luxury living present in Palm Beach, Florida.
Learn more at http://www.dorchesterpalmbeach.com
About Palm Beach Civic Association
Founded in 1944, the Palm Beach Civic Association has grown to almost 2,000 members in a community of 8,000 year 'round residents. A prestigious board of 120 directors guides this active community organization. The Civic Association is devoted to keeping residents aware and educated on the critical issues facing Palm Beach - from matters of local and regional significance, such as public safety and shore protection. Preserving the island's quality of life is the heart of the group's mission. Through timely publications, bulletins and updates; stimulating forums, receptions, and community-wide events; and meetings with elected officials, consultants, and town staff, the Palm Beach Civic Association plays an important role in preserving and enhancing this exceptional island community. Learn more at: http://palmbeachcivic.org
About HydroPoint Data Systems, Inc.
HydroPoint, founded in 2002, is the market and technology leader in Smart Water Management. The company's WeatherTRAK solution uniquely delivers a multitude of financial and environmental benefits by revolutionizing management of the area of greatest waste in urban water use: landscape irrigation. Proven in 23 independent studies, including the vanguard pollution runoff study led by the EPA, the WeatherTRAK solution saves water, reduces energy demand and protects water quality while it minimizes liability and expense exposure. In 2011, subscribers including The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO), Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT), Regency Centers (NYSE: REG) and numerous public institutions will save 17 billion gallons of water, 68 million kilowatt hours and 91 million pounds of CO2. Facing water rates ranging from $2 to $6 per 1,000 gallons and related expenses due to overwatering damages ranging from $500 to $10,000 per site, companies across the U.S. have identified WeatherTRAK as the green initiative with the fastest payback. Headquartered in Petaluma, Calif., HydroPoint is privately owned and operated. For more information, visit www.hydropoint.com.
