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A city proposal could do just that. Smart Sprinklers, as explained by the Catalina Island Conservancy's Isla Earth podcast, works like this: "a weather-based controller starts talking to your local weather station. It gets data about things like rainfall, air temperature, and wind speed. It then uses those data to figure out how much water your plants will need and how much will be lost to evaporation. It turns on the sprinklers to deliver just the right amount."
Frustrated by seeing sprinklers in action while it's raining, especially along freeways maintained by Caltrans, northwest Valley Councilman Greig Smith earlier this year proposed a motion to ask the city to study a program to fully refund residents who purchase and install smart sprinklers in their yards. The proposal, which goes to council today (.pdf), also asks that a plan be developed on implementing the technology at all city facilities (walk talk, you know?).
Also on today's agenda proposed by Smith is a motion to look into lessening water conservation rules on those who are disabled and who live in high fire severity zones and need treat dry brush.
