Sensors that detect how much water flowerbeds need have saved Wrexham County Borough Council £32,000 over seven months, according to a report.
Last July, the local authority expanded a pilot of flowerbed sensors from 6 to 50, to cover nearly all raised flower beds within the city centre.
Data informs staff when the flowerbeds need watering, and the feedback from the team has been ‘extremely positive’, the council report says.
It suggests that the sensors have saved staff nearly 3 hours a day, as well as 1,000 litres of water.
The scheme is part of a wider 'Smart Towns' initiative in Wrexham, which has received £72,000 of Welsh government funding.
The programme has also seen benches installed with phone charging ports, which is a first in Wales; 30 sensors installed in public bins to measure waste levels; and digital information screens in the city centre.
The council report says: ‘The technologies deployed across the county borough and the evidence of efficiencies and cost savings made by using data-led approaches will hopefully provide a better service in the future.’
