WASTE MANAGEMENT OF ARIZONA INTRODUCES UgMO WATER-SAVING TECHNOLOGY IN PARADISE VALLEY, AZ

New Wireless Technology Checks Soil Moisture, Reduces Water Use

PARADISE VALLEY, Ariz. (Dec 9, 2010) – In its ongoing efforts to bring creative environmental solutions to the communities it serves, Waste Management of Arizona today announced a pilot program to introduce a new irrigation intelligence and water savings solution to Paradise Valley that continuously monitors underground moisture levels and automatically turns off residential and small commercial sprinkler systems when water is not needed.

“Water conservation is crucial to Valley residents who are increasingly concerned about drought conditions that continue to threaten Lake Mead’s water levels – which today has dropped to a 50 year low point,” said Duane Woods, Senior Vice President for Waste Management and a resident of Paradise Valley.   “Decreasing water supplies and increasing costs are serious issues facing public officials, local businesses and homeowners alike, and we believe this water savings system can help.”

“Water conservation is an important component of Waste Management’s commitment to provide environmental solutions for our customers and the communities we serve,” said Dan Vermeer, vice president for Waste Management of Arizona operations. “We have successfully launched recycling programs, renewable energy projects, and waste reduction plans for our customers nationwide. We are thrilled to help introduce the innovative UgMO ProHome irrigation technology to the Valley of the Sun and evaluate how it can help residents significantly reduce their water consumption.” 

UgMO’s patent-protected smart sensors are placed underground in each sprinkler zone to measure soil moisture and temperature at the root level up to six times an hour, 24 hours a day.  These sensors wirelessly transmit data in real time on a zone-by-zone basis to an UgMO base station that’s installed next to a new or existing irrigation clock.  Acting as the “brains” of the irrigation system, the base station determines when the grass and/or plantings have reached their optimum moisture level.  If the ground is sufficiently moist, UgMO interrupts the sprinkler, turning it off before any water is wasted.

As part of the pilot, UgMO Technologies will select 20 homes in Paradise Valley to receive a complimentary ProHome soil sensor system installation.  To nominate your home, go to www.ugmo.com/wm and complete the online form.

“On the home front, 15 million residences across the country have adopted automated sprinkler systems, and studies have shown that turf and plants are overwatered by anywhere from 30 to 90 percent – in large part because the vast majority of sprinklers are managed by a timer alone,” said Walt Norley, founder of UgMO Technologies.  “By knowing exactly when your lawn has sufficient moisture for healthy plant growth, UgMO enables sprinklers to operate at just the right level, turn water off when it’s not needed thereby saving water and money for home owners,” he said. 

UgMO ProHome harnesses the same advanced sensor technology used in the UgMO ProTurf product.  Launched in 2009, UgMO ProTurf is at work underground at some of the nation’s most prestigious golf courses and sports turf facilities coast to coast, including Desert Mountain Golf Course and Chase Field in Arizona.

About Waste Management of Arizona

Waste management and its 980 Arizona employees provide waste and recycling services to nearly 500,000 customers throughout Arizona. For more information, go to www.wmofarizona.com.

About UgMO Technologies

Headquartered in King of Prussia, Pa., UgMO Technologies is a national environmental technology company that designs, manufactures and markets innovative, wireless soil sensor systems and software.  This intuitive technology measures soil conditions in the root zone on a real-time basis, optimizing users’ irrigation programs.  www.ugmo.com.

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