SA: New device takes guesswork out of irrigation

AAP General News (Australia)
08-16-1999
SA: New device takes guesswork out of irrigation

The inventors of a new device which takes the guesswork out of irrigation say their
creation will save millions of litres of precious water.

The Diviner 2000 is a hand-held device which displays the water level of the soil when a
sensor probe is inserted into access tubes in the ground.

Developed by South Australian company Sentek, it gives farmers instant feedback on the
water needs of their crops, down to a depth of 1.6 metres.

It can monitor water use at 99 different sites.

Sentek chief executive KYM OBST says tests have shown the technology reduces water use by
up to 30 per cent on crops and 50 per cent on golf courses.

He says about 90 per cent of irrigators over-water their crops, and Diviner 2000 will stop
that.

AAP RTV sn/kbw/jn

KEYWORD: DIVINER (ADELAIDE)

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