How to Set Up Your Eve Aqua Smart Water Controller

What You Will Need

• Eve Aqua Smart Water Controller
• Standard outdoor spigot or faucet (3/4-inch garden hose thread)
• Garden hose and sprinkler or drip irrigation system
• Two AA batteries (included or required)
• iPhone or iPad with the Eve app installed
• Apple Home hub (Apple TV, HomePod, or iPad) for remote control and automations

Step 1: Install Batteries

Open the battery compartment on the Eve Aqua and insert two AA batteries, following the polarity markings inside the compartment. The batteries power the solenoid valve that controls water flow and the wireless radio for smart home communication. Battery life typically lasts one full watering season, depending on how frequently you water.

Step 2: Connect to Your Spigot

1. Make sure the outdoor faucet is turned off.
2. Thread the Eve Aqua's inlet connector onto the spigot by hand. The connection uses a standard 3/4-inch garden hose thread.
3. Hand-tighten firmly. You can use pliers for an extra quarter turn if needed, but avoid over-tightening.
4. Connect your garden hose to the outlet side of the Eve Aqua.
5. Attach a sprinkler, soaker hose, or drip irrigation system to the other end of the hose.
6. Turn the faucet on fully. The Eve Aqua's internal valve will control the water flow.

Check all connections for leaks. If water drips from a connection, tighten it slightly or add a rubber washer.

Step 3: Add to HomeKit via the Eve App

1. Open the Eve app on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Tap Add Accessory.
3. Scan the HomeKit setup code on the Eve Aqua or the included card.
4. The app will connect via Bluetooth or Thread.
5. Assign it to an outdoor room, such as "Garden" or "Backyard."
6. Give it a name like "Garden Sprinkler" or "Lawn Water."

Step 4: Test the Valve

1. In the Eve app, tap the Eve Aqua device to open its controls.
2. Tap the power button to turn the water on.
3. Verify that water flows through the hose and sprinkler.
4. Tap the button again to turn the water off.
5. Check for leaks at all connections while the water is running.

You can also use the physical button on the Eve Aqua itself or Siri commands like "Hey Siri, turn on the Garden Sprinkler."

Step 5: Set Up Watering Schedules

The Eve app allows you to create automatic watering schedules that run without any manual intervention.

1. Select the Eve Aqua in the app.
2. Tap Schedules.
3. Set a start time and duration for each watering session. For example, water for 30 minutes every morning at 6:00 AM.
4. Choose which days of the week the schedule should be active.
5. Create multiple schedules for different watering needs, such as a short daily session and a longer deep-watering session twice a week.

Schedules are stored locally on the Eve Aqua, so they run reliably even if your phone or home hub is offline.

Step 6: Monitor Water Usage

The Eve app tracks total water consumption and the duration of each watering session. Use this data to optimize your watering schedule, reduce waste, and comply with any local water restrictions. You can also set a maximum watering duration as a safety feature to prevent accidental flooding if the valve fails to close.

Step 7: Create Automations (Optional)

For advanced control, create HomeKit automations in the Eve app:

• Trigger watering based on a humidity or temperature sensor reading from another Eve device.
• Turn off the sprinkler automatically after a set duration using a timer automation.
• Disable watering when you are away using geofencing.

Tips for Best Performance

• The Eve Aqua supports Thread for reliable communication with your home hub, even when placed far from the house.
• Water during early morning or late evening to minimize evaporation.
• Disconnect the Eve Aqua and drain it before freezing temperatures arrive to prevent damage to the valve.
• Replace batteries at the start of each watering season for uninterrupted operation.