Smart Watering Program

The Smart Watering Program leverages the proprietary, weather-based intelligence models of smart landscape irrigation controllers with real‑time data and predictive analytics from the utility to manage outdoor watering more effectively and reduce strain on local infrastructure. More specifically, the program leverages the following:

• EPA WaterSense technology
• Regional stewardship
• Analytics to predict peak demand events

When higher water demand is expected, non‑critical irrigation can be shifted to off‑peak hours, helping balance water use throughout the larger system while still delivering the right amount of water to your landscape.

• Select your new qualified controller (details below) or share your existing qualified controller. 
•  Pickup your controller from CIWW or purchase online (details below).
•  Install your new controller or have it professionally installed (installation not included).
•  Create an account (controller specific) and enable smart settings in the application.
•  Your controller will be connected to an Aqualytics dashboard via API to monitor irrigation schedules and historical water usage.
•  Review and sign the Aqualytics data sharing agreement.
•  Share your controller and its associated API Key with Aqualytics.
• Enroll in the CIWW Smart Watering Program using the "Sign-up" button below: 

• Irrigation Controller Data Sharing[1]
• Enable device water saving features (e.g. Rain Skips or similar and weather-based intelligence or similar depending on device)
• Allow for potential watering schedule adjustments of up to 48 hours within the watering season
• Requires a reliable internet connection

With the Smart Watering Program, your irrigation system can:

• Reduce overall outdoor water use by up to 30%
• Automatically adjust watering based on weather conditions
• Optimize watering schedules for seasonal changes

1. EPA WaterSense Certification: Specification[1]: See sections 3.0 - 4.8
2. Open API that provides historical watering run times, upcoming schedule and tracking water savings from rain skips and weather-based intelligence.
3. Pre-approved devices and available pricing (2026 irrigation season):

• Netro Spark 8 zone: Available on Netro Store or Amazon (Aqualytics can provide this device with 4-year warranty for $120)
• Netro Spark 16 zone: Available on Netro Store or Amazon (Aqualytics can provide this device with 4-year warranty for $140)

[1] WaterSense® Specification for Weather-Based Irrigation Controllers

Rachio Smart Landscape Irrigation Controllers: Rachio has a free publicly supported API. 

• Rachio Pro 8-zone controller6: $180 
• Rachio Pro 16-zone controller7: $210

Rain Bird: Local pricing available from Nolte & Sons or others.  

• Rain Bird ESP TM2-8 (8-zones) with LNK2 Wi-Fi module: $220 
• Rain Bird ESP ME3 (7-zones) with LNK2 Wi-Fi module: $270
• Rain Bird charges a monthly fee for access to their IQ4 API which is $3/device per month or $36/device per year. 

Hunter Hydrawise (Commercial Applications Only): The current API for Hunter Hydrawise is limited and not suitable for residential applications. The API requires some manual workflows, which can only be accommodated for larger, commercial sites in 2026. Hunter Hydrawise is in the process of updating to the GraphQL API, which may be available in the first quarter of 2027.

Netro 

• Installation Instructions (Netro Spark 8 & 16): https://netrohome.com/en/shop/help_center?category=installation&serial=SPARK
• Support Contact: support@netrohome.com
• Wi-Fi: It is recommended to create a separate, password protected guest Wi-Fi network for connecting this device.

Rachio

• Installation Instructions (Rachio Pro 8 & 16): https://support.rachio.com/en_us/rachio-app-quick-start-guide-HJ_mNilgK
• Support Contact: support@rachio.com
• Online Help Center: https://support.rachio.com/
• Wi-Fi: It is recommended to create a separate, password protected guest Wi-Fi network for connecting this device.

Rain Bird

• Installation Instructions (ESP TM2): https://www.rainbird.com/sites/default/files/media/documents/2017-06/man_ESP-TM2_en.pdf
• Self-Installation Instructions (ESP ME3): https://www.rainbird.com/sites/default/files/media/documents/2020-03/d41274_15ja20_esp-me3-user-manual-advanced-dom_en-en.pdf
• Support Contact: 877-727-8772
• Online Support Page: https://store.rainbird.com/support
• Wi-Fi: It is recommended to create a separate, password protected guest Wi-Fi network for connecting this device.

Hunter

•  Installation Instructions (PRO-HC): https://www.hunterirrigation.com/irrigation-product/controllers/pro-hc
•  Technical Support Contacts: https://www.hunterirrigation.com/contact-us
•  Wi-Fi: It is recommended to create a separate, password protected guest Wi-Fi network for connecting this device.

 Netro (Sharing & Settings)

         Sharing

1. After creating your Netro account and installing the device:
2. Go to the Netro-Shop website by clicking the provided link.
3. Click Account in the top navigation bar and sign in with your username and password if prompted.
4. After logging in, select API Key.
5. Copy your API Key and submit it securely through the Aqualytics form.
6. Open your email and look for a message titled “Welcome to the CIWW Smart Watering Program”.
7. In that email, click the link labeled “Share API Key”.
8. Paste the API Key you copied in Step 4 into the text box provided, then click Submit.

        Recommended Settings - Weather

1. Using the Netro Mobile App, tap Settings (gear symbol).
2. In settings, tap Weather Provider.
3. Tap AccuWeather and then tap Submit.

        Recommended Settings - Smart Zones

• Aqualytics recommends enabling Basic Level Smart Zones over Advanced Level Smart Zones.  Enabling Basic Level Smart Zones allows you to maintain control over when you water while still enabling smart weather features such as rain skips which are a smart watering program requirement. The following steps will help you to setup smart zones:

1. Using the Netro Mobile App, tap Settings (gear symbol).
2. In settings, tap Zones.
3. Tap Zone 1 (name may differ if you already added custom zone names).
4. Scroll down to Smart Zone and tap Smart Zone.
5. Tap Enabled.
6. Tap Level and make sure Level is set to Basic.
7. Repeat steps 1-6 for each zone.

Rachio (Sharing)

1. After creating your Rachio account and installing the device:
2. If you just created a new Rachio account, fully close and restart the app before continuing.
3. Open the Rachio app and go to Settings.
4. Scroll down to Device Management, then select Shared Access.
5. Tap Add Shared User.
6. On the Add Shared User screen, enter the following email address: SmartWateringCIWW@aqualytics.us 
7. **Important: After typing the email, press Enter or Return so the app recognizes it as a valid email address.
8. Under Select Devices to Share, confirm that your controller appears in the list. Check the box next to the controller name to select it.
9. Tap Share to grant Aqualytics access for program compliance.

Rain Bird (Sharing)

1. After creating your Rain Bird account and installing the device:
2. Open the Rain Bird app and tap the Settings icon in the top‑right corner.
3. Select Share Controller.
4. On the next screen, tap Share Controller again at the bottom.
5. Turn off the Set Expiration Date option at the top of the page.
6. In the text box under Who do you want to share with?, enter the following Account ID: FTIXM452
7. Tap Share at the bottom of the screen to complete the process.

Hunter (Sharing)

1. After creating your Hunter account and installing the device:
2. Open the Hunter app and tap the menu icon(three horizontal lines) in the top‑left corner.
3. Select Account Details.
4. Scroll down to Privacy Settings and enable Allow contractor to access my account.
5. In the search bar, type Aqualytics LLC.
6. When Aqualytics LLC appears in the results, tap it and then tap Select.
7. A confirmation message will appear stating: “Selecting this contractor will allow them to view and modify your controller’s settings. Do you wish to proceed?” Tap OK to continue.