ET CONTROLLER PROGRAM

ET Controller and CIMIS Station Click either for enlargements.

ET controllers are offered to DWP customers at a discounted price. An ET controller is simply a control box similar to the existing control box on outdoor irrigation (sprinkler) systems. ET controllers deliver only the amount of water needed to a specific plant based on input variables such as plant type, soil, grade, and weather.

ET is short for evapotranspiration, which is a combination of 1) water evaporation from soil and exposed surfaces and 2) transpiration, which is the loss of water from plants due to normal metabolic processes. ET can be estimated from weather variables like temperature, humidity, and wind. The DWP maintains a CIMIS station at the Bear Mountain golf course which records weather data and transmits the estimated ET to ET controllers via satellite daily. This allows Big Bear Valley residents to replace the exact amount of water lost by evapotranspiration on a day-to-day basis resulting in extremely efficient irrigation.

Call the DWP today to find out more about ET Controllers (909-866-8937). DWP staff will be glad to assist you with the initial programming of the ET Controller as well as any adjustments that need to be made subsequent to installation.