Dramm and Ketos partner in groundwater monitoring

Water intelligence company Ketos and supplier of irrigation systems Dramm Corporation announced a strategic partnership. Dramm will use Ketos water monitoring solutions to provide growers with water data, such as insights on water quality fluctuations in deficiency and toxicity, to help enhance crop yield, quality and taste.

“With agriculture’s reliance on groundwater steadily rising, water quality and food safety must go hand-in-hand. Food quality and food safety needs to start at the source – the water used to grow the crops,” said Ketos CEO Meena Sankaran.

Actively monitor and measure water pollutants

“By partnering with Dramm to provide growers an easy way to actively monitor and measure possible water pollutants in real-time, Ketos is helping accelerate data-driven farming by providing actionable insights that can enhance crop yield. Ultimately, our common goal is to enable the delivery of safer food by creating a thriving food supply chain.”

Dramm will use the Ketos ShieldTM solution to proactively test and monitor for potential contaminants and verify the quality and safety of the irrigation water supply for its customers.

Advanced warning system for growers

Ketos says it provides continuous, lab-precision testing data and serves as an advanced warning system for growers if heavy-metal compounds or contaminants are present – including arsenic, boron, nitrates, and other elements that could diminish crop yield or pose a food security threat.

“Water is at the root of our agricultural ecosystem, and our growers are eager to verify the quality of their water more regularly,” said Kurt Becker, Executive Vice President, Dramm Corporation. “Ketos is the only one-stop-shop solution that we’ve found capable of monitoring several water quality parameters like boron, arsenic, nitrates and manganese all at once and at the sensitivity that our clients need.”

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Dramm will use the Ketos ShieldTM solution to proactively test and monitor for potential contaminants and verify the quality and safety of the irrigation water supply for its customers. – Photo: Bert Jansen

Ketos solution contained within single system

According to Becker the solution is completely contained within a single system and doesn’t need Dramm’s staff to get involved for maintenance. “We find that the data-as-a-service model that Ketos provides helps clients with technologically advanced solutions and allows us to focus on the growers and the added value we can bring them,” said Becker.

The initial phase of the partnership between Ketos and Dramm will focus on water quality solutions for horticulture, ornamentals and greenhouse specialty crops. Dramm will test the Ketos Shield solution at various North American greenhouses.

Impact of water quality data

During these trials, Dramm is to work with various facilities with vegetable, ornamental and medicinal crops to identify the specific needs of these customers and showcase the impact that real-time water quality data can have on their crops.