ETwater has received a 2013 Business Environmental Award in the Environmental Innovation category from Acterra, an environmental non-profit organization serving California’s Silicon Valley.
The Novato, California-based company, which combines wireless technology, cloud computing and real-time weather data to save water, energy, and benefit the environment, was recognized for its cloud-based smart irrigation management solution that consistently saves a proven 20 percent to 50 percent in outdoor landscape water use.
“ETwater addresses the issues of water mismanagement and over-use, and the resulting environmental damage,” ETwater CEO Pat McIntyre said. “A little known fact is that 50 percent of U.S. urban water is consumed by landscapes. Our system performs at a documented 20 percent to 50 percent water savings for our clients, which makes us feel great about helping to reduce that urban water use statistic and protect our local waterways.”
By applying cloud-based computing to smart irrigation management, the company’s online management system allows landscape managers to view, manage and control hundreds of controllers via any computer, tablet, or smartphone. Additionally, ETwater has pioneered the retrofit market with products that upgrade traditional controllers to its smart technology with plug-and-play ease, increasing the adoption rate of this water-saving technology through a lower cost of entry. The use of water in outdoor landscapes is substantially reduced, promoting healthier local waterways because less runoff pollution reaches our local streams, rivers and bays. ETwater also reduces soil erosion, energy use, landfill and fuel consumption.
Acterra’s Business Environmental Awards is one of the San Francisco Bay Area’s oldest and most prestigious environmental recognition programs. Initiated in 1990, it is considered a heavyweight among award programs due to its rigorous application and judging process.
“Our awardees participate in a thorough vetting process through which they demonstrate their environmental commitment and accomplishments,” Committee Chair Laura Teksler said. “In addition to a written application, all finalists must demonstrate their programs’ merits firsthand to the judges during a visit to their facilities. By the time they are selected to receive recognition, our awardees have truly proven that their programs are exemplary examples of corporate environmental leadership.”
