Manual irrigation or irrigation based on a fixed timer is the least efficient way to manage water at a campsite. A fixed timer irrigates even when it has just rained, or fails to irrigate enough on the hottest days. Soil moisture sensors, combined with an IoT controller, solve both problems.
How an IoT Irrigation System Works
- 1Capacitive moisture sensors in the soil measure moisture every 15 minutes and send the data via Wi-Fi or LoRaWAN.
- 2The controller (IoT controller or Raspberry Pi) receives the data and compares it with the configured threshold values.
- 3If moisture is below the threshold, the controller activates the solenoid valves for the corresponding zone.
- 4Integration with the weather API (OpenWeatherMap) anticipates forecast rainfall and stops irrigation.
- 5The consumption log shows the liters used per zone and makes it possible to optimize the system season by season.
Costs of an IoT Irrigation System for Campsites
| Component | Cost |
|---|---|
| Capacitive moisture sensor | € 5–15 each |
| 24V solenoid valve | € 15–40 each |
| IoT controller + relay | € 20–40 |
| Programming and configuration | € 200–500 |
Illustrative scenario: a 2-hectare campsite with 12 automated irrigation zones could reduce summer water consumption by 25–40% in the first year, with estimated bill savings of around € 1,000–2,000. Actual results depend on the current irrigation system, soil structure, and initial consumption.