Today's efficient irrigation technologies have helped decrease per capita water consumption in the U.S., but Rain Bird's product experts continue to seek new ways to preserve this precious resource.

July is Smart Irrigation Month, and Tuesday, July 10 marks Technology Tuesday, a day celebrating the innovations that are making it possible to minimize water use while delivering beautiful, healthy landscapes, golf courses and crops.

"The irrigation industry has taken tremendous steps toward greater water efficiency over the past few years," said Alex Nathanson, Rain Birds corporate marketing brand manager. "Americans have decreased their water use by 27 percent since 1980 according to a recent U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) report, and much of that is due to new water-saving technologies both inside and outside the home. We know that more can be done, and our product development teams are constantly looking for new ways to help the landscape, golf and agricultural industries use water efficiently so we can all conserve this precious resource for future generations."

Landscape Irrigation Innovations:

In the landscape industry, Rain Birds WiFi-enabled controllers make remote irrigation management easily accessible via a free mobile app. By using the controllers special features, homeowners can reduce outdoor water usage by as much as 30 percent. At larger commercial sites, the IQ Platform provides modular multi-site irrigation central control with remote water management, and state-of-the-art command and control features in a simple, easy-to-use interface.
By regulating high or fluctuating water pressure at the head, 1800 Series PRS sprays and 5000 Series PRS rotors featuring Flow Optimizer™ technology can help sites save approximately one gallon per minute per rotor or spray. With large, wind-resistant droplets, HE-VAN high-efficiency variable arc nozzles and R-VAN variable arc rotary nozzles are engineered to deliver efficient coverage and decrease sprinkler run times. And, by delivering water at or near the plants root zones, Rain Birds low-volume drip irrigation products offer targeted watering with greater efficiency for healthier plants and outstanding water savings.

Total System Solutions for Golf Course Irrigation:

Golf course superintendents are firmly committed to finding more efficient ways to irrigate while providing beautiful, playable courses. As the only manufacturer committed exclusively to irrigation, Rain Bird partners with golf professionals around the world to provide easier-to-manage, more efficient, fully integrated Total System Solutions that address both new installation and system renovation challenges.

Rain Birds Integrated Control (IC) System delivers control and diagnostics for every single rotor and valve while eliminating the challenges of satellites and decoders. Designed to deliver a real-time response to changing conditions, golf course central control systems make it easy to automate and streamline irrigation management. MI Series mobile controllers give superintendents remote access to their central control systems via a web-enabled device or smart phone. Rain Bird® golf rotors are engineered for precise application and distribution uniformity, helping courses get the most from their water sources on every hole.

Actionable Irrigation Intelligence for Agriculture:

Growers are continually challenged to maximize crop yields while minimizing inputs, especially water use. Rain Bird technologies help ag professionals improve their bottom lines and get the most from every acre. Rain Birds ClimateMinder soil moisture monitoring and field monitoring solutions give growers access to real-time, actionable data that can help them verify proper irrigation scheduling and prevent fertilizer leaching. LFX Series Low-Flow Sprinklers feature an efficient and operationally flexible design with many options available that allow growers to customize their sprinklers to meet their unique watering needs for smarter, more efficient irrigation.

Smart Technology for a Brighter Future:

The Irrigation Association (IA) is encouraging everyone to express their support of present and future irrigation innovations by sharing posts and tweets using the #SmartIrrigationMonth hashtag on Technology Tuesday. Throughout the entire month of July, irrigation professionals can download numerous free resources and tips from the IA website to show their dedication to water efficiency. Industry partners can share their Smart Irrigation Month activities with the IA via an online activity tracker.

"Technology Tuesday is an ideal time to acknowledge the many innovations that have improved irrigation system efficiency over the years," Nathanson said. "The ongoing efforts of engineers and product development teams in our industry will continue to help homes, businesses, sports fields, golf courses, farms and ranches get the most out of every drop in the years ahead."

For more information about Smart Irrigation Month, visit http://www.irrigation.org. To learn more about Rain Bird and its many water-efficient products and solutions for the agriculture, golf and landscape markets, visit http://www.rainbird.com.

ABOUT RAIN BIRD:

Based in Azusa, Calif., Rain Bird Corporation is the world's leading manufacturer and provider of irrigation products and services. Since its beginnings in 1933, Rain Bird has offered the industry's broadest range of irrigation products for farms, golf courses, sports arenas, commercial developments and homes in more than 130 countries around the globe. Rain Bird has been awarded more than 450 patents worldwide, including the first in 1935 for the impact sprinkler. Rain Bird and The Intelligent Use of Water™ are about using water wisely. The companys commitment extends beyond products to education, training and services for the industry and the community. Rain Bird maintains state-of-the-art manufacturing assembly facilities in the United States, China and Mexico. http://www.rainbird.com.