Calp has begun to take an important step in the modernization of its green areas and public spaces This initiative involves the implementation of a smart irrigation system at various locations throughout the municipality. The aim is to improve water efficiency and adapt garden maintenance to more sustainable practices that are better suited to the local climate.
The project is framed in the Tourism Sustainability Plan at DestinationThis initiative, included within the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan (PRTR) and supported by the European Union through Next Generation EU funds, aims not only to save resources but also to advance its strategy to consolidate Calp as a Smart Tourist Destination.
A smart irrigation system for the main avenues of Calp
The new smart irrigation system is initially being deployed in two of the most important road axes of the municipalityThe Avenida de los Ejércitos Españoles and the Avenida de Europa. These areas contain a large number of public gardens and green spaces that are heavily used by both residents and visitors.
In this first phase, the project includes the installation of 20 irrigation valves at the water intakes that supply the gardens along these avenues. These valves will be responsible for automatically regulating the amount of water supplied, according to the instructions received from the central control system.
This action represents a change of model compared to traditional irrigation, since management no longer depends exclusively on fixed schedules or manual operations, but rather on real time data and in the continuous monitoring of the environment. This allows irrigation to be adapted to the specific situation at any given time and in each space.
Furthermore, the infrastructure has been designed with a focus scalable and expandable so that, once the results of this first phase have been evaluated, it can be extended to other parks, gardens and green areas within the municipality.
Weather technology and sensors to water only what is necessary
At the heart of the project is a control center equipped with a weather stationwhich acts as the brain of the system. From this control point, the operation of the valves is coordinated and the irrigation cycles are programmed based on the information provided by various sensors distributed throughout the network.
These sensors are responsible for measuring key variables such as air temperature, the Humidity of floorSolar radiation, wind speed, and recorded rainfall are all taken into account. This combination of data makes it possible to determine if irrigation is truly necessary, for how long, and in which specific areas, thus avoiding both over- and under-watering.
The system also collects information about the ambient temperature and local weather conditionsThis is especially useful in municipalities like Calp, where tourist pressure and high temperatures in certain months can drive up the demand for irrigation water.
Thanks to this technological infrastructure, irrigation management becomes telematics and remoteMunicipal staff or the contracting company can monitor and adjust the parameters from a control platform, without needing to physically intervene in each irrigation panel except for maintenance or repair work.
This approach allows decisions about when and how much to water to be based on objective and measurable criteriareducing improvisation and improving the ability to respond to sudden weather changes, rain events or heat waves.
Water savings, cost reduction, and rapid leak detection
One of the central purposes of the project is to achieve a optimizing water consumption in the green areas of Calp. By adapting the irrigation to the actual needs of each space, a significant decrease in the volume of water used throughout the year is expected.
This saving is not only reflected in the water bill, but also entails a reduction of maintenance-related costs of gardens and urban trees. Less unnecessary watering also means fewer hours of work spent on manual adjustments and corrections for excess water.
Another relevant aspect is the system's ability to detect potential leaks or incidents in the irrigation network more quickly. With centralized control and constant flow and operating data, any anomaly can be identified earlier, allowing for faster intervention.
This early detection helps prevent prolonged water losses in the event of leaks or breakdowns and contributes to more careful management of a resource that is especially sensitive in the Mediterranean context. The combination of water efficiency and incident control This positions the system as a relevant tool within local sustainability policies.
At the same time, streamlining irrigation allows municipal staff to dedicate more time to conservation and improvement tasks for green areas, instead of focusing on routine tasks such as opening and closing valves, manual checks, or repetitive adjustments to irrigation schedules.
Investment, European funding and the winning company
The smart irrigation project in Calp has an investment of 39.309,8 Euros, amount which covers both the installation of the 20 valves and the control center, the weather station and the infrastructure necessary for remote management.
The contract has been awarded to the company MP Irrigation SLThe company, specializing in advanced irrigation solutions, will be responsible for implementing the system and putting it into operation. technology which will connect the various irrigation outlets to the control platform.
Regarding financing, the project is integrated into the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan (PRTR) This initiative, promoted at the state level and funded by the European Union's Next Generation EU program, aims to support projects that foster modernization, efficiency, and ecological transition in municipalities.
Within this framework, the smart irrigation system is part of the Tourism Sustainability Plan at Destination of Calp, which brings together various actions aimed at reconciling tourist activity with a more responsible management of resources and the urban environment.
The financial support of the European Union and the relevant authorities allows the City Council to undertake this type of investment. without directly impacting taxpayers, while aligning with European digitalization and sustainability goals.
Calp as a Smart Tourist Destination and more sustainable city
The installation of smart irrigation is not an isolated measure, but rather is integrated into a broader municipal strategy to move towards the Smart Tourist Destination model. The council is also working on other technological projects related to public space and the environment.
Among the planned actions, the implementation of a intelligent lighting systemThis will allow street and square lighting to be adjusted according to schedules, pedestrian presence, or environmental conditions, with the aim of improving energy efficiency and reducing electricity costs.
Likewise, the following is raised continuous monitoring of environmental parameters such as air quality, pollution levels, atmospheric contamination, and ultraviolet radiation (UVA rays). This data will help to provide a more accurate picture of the municipality's environmental condition.
Smart irrigation, lighting, and environmental monitoring will all be integrated into the Municipal Smartcity platformA digital tool that will centralize information and facilitate data-driven decision-making. This integration will allow, for example, cross-referencing information on water consumption, energy use, and weather conditions.
With this set of initiatives, Calp seeks adapt to the current needs of residents and visitorsMaintaining its urban and tourist spaces in better condition, reducing the environmental impact and taking advantage of the possibilities offered by technology to manage public services more intelligently.
In general terms, the implementation of the smart irrigation system in Calp represents a step forward in the modernization of the management of the municipality's green areas, combining water conservation, cost control, and use of advanced technology serving public space. Integrated into a broader smart city strategy, this project reinforces the local commitment to sustainability and lays the groundwork for future expansions to other urban areas and municipal services.
