Victoria Park Complex Enhanced Irrigation Pilot
Type of initiative
FCM Green Municipal Fund - Plans, Studies, Pilots
Sector
Water
Project value$490,000
Project Type
Pilot Project
Sub Sector
Water Conservation
Grant amount$175,000
Program type
GMF
Municipality
Town of Raymond, AB
Status
Fully Disbursed
Population
4,199
Project timeline
2015 - 2017
Project number
13137
Description
The Town of Raymond used the $175,000 in GMF funding to test the InteliRain irrigation system on soccer, football and rugby fields at its Victoria Sports Park complex. The test will determine whether this system reduces water consumption by 55 per cent and energy costs by 30 per cent compared with a conventional irrigation system. The InteliRain system optimizes water use through a computer-program that responds to moisture sensors in the soil and weather station data to regulate watering. Water is at a premium in southern Alberta, where low precipitation rates and high wind velocities create dry conditions. Raymond’s field test supports the municipality’s commitment to Alberta’s Water for Life strategy as well as the town’s goal to reduce water consumption to 300 litres per capita per day by 2020. The Prairie Turfgrass Research Centre at Olds College will monitor and produce a third-party report analyzing the InteliRain system’s performance. (As per February 10, 2016 announcement)
Applicant
Town of Raymond, AB