Smart Irrigation in Urban Gardens

A Sustainable Approach to Urban Water Management

Abstract

Objective – Development of an intelligent and low-cost device for the automated irrigation of urban gardens, integrating soil moisture sensors and real-time weather data to assess rainfall forecasts. This integration aimed to optimize water use, reduce waste, and promote greater productivity and sustainability in urban agricultural systems.

Methodology – The system was implemented using the ESP8266 platform integrated with a capacitive soil moisture sensor and a relay module, responsible for the automatic activation of irrigation. The programming, carried out in C++, allowed both sensor readings and access to online weather services, enabling irrigation decisions based on rainfall forecasts. The prototype was designed with hybrid power supply, through an external source and a 3.6 V lithium battery, in addition to compatibility with solar panels, ensuring autonomy in urban and remote environments.

Originality/relevance – The project stands out for its originality by integrating soil moisture sensors with online meteorological data, enabling intelligent and efficient irrigation. Its relevance lies in its low cost, ease of operation, and compatibility with solar energy—factors that promote sustainable water use in urban gardens and remote environments.

Results – The equipment was initially tested in a laboratory environment through black-box tests, which confirmed satisfactory operating conditions. Subsequently, the system will proceed to validation stages, aiming at certification and its feasibility as a commercial product.

Theoretical/methodological contributions – The study demonstrates the feasibility of a low-cost prototype that integrates IoT, moisture sensors, and meteorological data for smart irrigation, offering a replicable and promising model for sustainable urban agriculture.

Social and environmental contributions – The prototype generates social impact by facilitating access to low-cost smart irrigation and environmental impact by reducing water waste and enabling the use of solar energy, strengthening sustainability in urban agriculture.