Flow Monitoring Devices

What is a Dedicated Landscape Meter, Flow Sensor, and Hydrometer?

A dedicated irrigation meter is a water meter that exclusively meters water used for outdoor watering and irrigation.  These meters are commonly used in commercial sites as well as city parks and playing fields.  Dedicated irrigation meters are often used in homeowner associations to measure irrigation in common landscaped areas.

Flow sensors and hydrometers are two devices that monitor water flow through an irrigation system, each having a different type of flow mechanism. Each works in conjunction with an irrigation controller to take corrective action such as stopping water flow via a master valve, or by sending an alert message via a controller app or system.  This is very helpful in detect issues, such as pipe breaks, as well as conserving water.

Flow sensors and hydrometers must be installed into an irrigation system near the point of connection and must have compatible irrigation controller.  Typically, a flow device and controller must be used from the same manufacturer for a residential irrigation system. This avoids incompatibility issues across different manufacturers; and in general, technical support can help you troubleshoot and solve issues if all the connected devices are from the same manufacturer.

Does Valley Water offer a rebate for Dedicated Landscape Meters, Flow Sensors and Hydrometers?

Valley Water offers rebates for Dedicated Landscape Meters, Flow Sensors and Hydrometers for both residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional properties like schools and parks.

What is an individual flow monitoring device and what are the models available on the market?

Flow monitoring devices track your home’s water use and can help detect leaks. These devices are relatively new products. In general, you need to have reliable Wi-Fi at the installation location, and a smart device such as a smartphone or tablet with app-accessibility to access information from the device. Most of these are also web enabled, but for real time alerts, a user is better off with a phone alert system set up.

It is important to check the type of water meter you have. Some flow monitor devices attach to the water retailer’s meter and are only designed for a specific type of meter. Your local water retailer may have installed meters that work with some flow monitor devices, but not others. Additionally, it is possible that at a future date, your water retailer may choose to upgrade to a different type of meter that would no longer be compatible with the device. Lastly, not all water retailers allow these devices, and it is important to check with your water retailer before purchasing and installing a flow monitoring device.

Some devices may require professional installation. Refer to the product information for details on these devices, including whether they can be self-installed or must be installed by a licensed plumber.

Example Flow Monitoring Devices

The following chart contains examples of flow monitoring devices. It is not intended to be a recommendation or endorsement of these items. If you have a product that performs comparable that may be appropriate to add to this list, please contact us at [email protected] or (408)630-2554.