On Thursday, February 12, the West University Place Parks and Recreation Department was honored with the Maintenance Achievement Award from the Texas Recreation and Parks Society (TRAPS) for their smart irrigation controllers.
This Statewide honor was in recognition of the innovation, sustainability, and fiscal responsibility displayed by the smart irrigation systems across 19 city sites. The project transformed irrigation management into a data-driven, adaptive system. This technology optimizes water use by responding to soil type, plant needs, slope, and real-time weather conditions, while cloud-based software allows for remote monitoring, leak detection, and rapid adjustments.
In just the first months of implementation, the City achieved a 34% reduction in water use, saving nearly 3.8 million gallons and $42,000 annually. The City also received $59,025 in grant funding for this project from the Harris Galveston Subsidence District. Beyond measurable savings, the project sets a community-wide example of environmental stewardship, demonstrating how cities can modernize infrastructure to conserve resources, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and promote sustainable practices. This nomination highlights a model project that combines cost-effectiveness, efficiency, and environmental leadership.