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HomeKit-Compatible 'Eve Aqua Smart Water Controller' Now Available to Buy Through Apple

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Apple has begun selling the Eve Aqua Smart Water Controller on its United States website today, following a few weeks after the HomeKit accessory previously launched on Eve's own website and on Amazon (via HomeKit News and Reviews). On Apple.com, you can buy the Eve Aqua for $99.95, and the free shipping option currently designates a delivery date on Monday, August 13.

eve-aqua-apple-website.jpg

The Eve Aqua is a small controller that you attach to an outdoor water outlet, letting you activate or shut off water flow via the Home iOS app, Siri voice commands, or automatic HomeKit scenes. Eve says this makes the accessory perfect for sprinklers and can prevent gardens from flooding thanks to an auto shut-off feature.

Elgato Systems announced the Eve Aqua this past May, and then in June Elgato revealed that it would shift its focus "entirely" to its line of Eve devices. Elgato is now "Eve Systems," with plans to offer a "constantly expanding ecosystem" of accessories designed exclusively for Apple's HomeKit platform.

Despite the name change, Apple.com still lists the water controller accessory as the "Elgato Eve Aqua."

Following the restructured company, Eve Systems teased users with new product announcements set to come out of IFA Berlin, which begins on August 31 and runs through September 5. For current products, Eve sells many of its devices on Apple.com, including the Elgato Eve Degree Connected Weather Station, Light Switch, Wireless Motion Sensor, Room Sensor, Energy Smart Plug, Button, and more.

Article Link: HomeKit-Compatible 'Eve Aqua Smart Water Controller' Now Available to Buy Through Apple
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2018/08/09/homekit-eve-aqua-apple/
I have this an love it, best of all my gf loves it as she can simply walk up to it and press the power button to turn on the water hose instead of wrench on our water taps which are for some reason not very easy to turn. I do wish it was wifi for a little more stable connection when using HomeKit but so far it’s been pretty good. Ordered a second one for the back hose. Just for the manual turn on function it’s great but HomeKit integration makes it awesome and oh so nerdy ;)
 
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mistafro said:
I have this an love it, best of all my gf loves it as she can simply walk up to it and press the power button to turn on the water hose instead of wrench on our water taps which are for some reason not very easy to turn. I do wish it was wifi for a little more stable connection when using HomeKit but so far it’s been pretty good. Ordered a second one for the back hose. Just for the manual turn on function it’s great but HomeKit integration makes it awesome and oh so nerdy ;)
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A $100 dollar switch to turn off and on a faucet. Now I’ve seen everything
 
1rottenapple said:
A $100 dollar switch to turn off and on a faucet. Now I’ve seen everything
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No you haven't. You'll have seen everything when they update this as a $200, 2-pack combo. ;)

Honestly, this is a step forward for a "poor-man's" lawn irrigation system. I used to have a $40 timer kit that had 4 vavles, so I could set up 4 individual zones to sprinkle various sections of my lawn. If they made one of these with 4 independent valves, I might be interested.
 
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I worry about this leaking slowly over time. Anyone have problems with this? I'll even wrap my threads with teflon tape and they will still sometimes leak. Normally I wouldn't care about a slow leak since water here is cheap and we have no water shortages ever as we live near a huge river, but I have an office studio space that I just finished building in the basement directly below where this faucet is and I don't want water seeping in. Maybe our pressure is too high?
 
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macduke said:
I worry about this leaking slowly over time. Anyone have problems with this? I'll even wrap my threads with teflon tape and they will still sometimes leak. Normally I wouldn't care about a slow leak since water here is cheap and we have no water shortages ever as we live near a huge river, but I have an office studio space that I just finished building in the basement directly below where this faucet is and I don't want water seeping in. Maybe our pressure is too high?
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Here's my advice (note that I am not a plumber).

I would not use teflon tape to wrap metal male threads that then go onto a device with plastic female threads. You're just asking for the plastic to "stretch" and get permanently damaged.

If you're having leak issues, I would check the washer for damage or wear. It's very easy and cheap to replace. Also make sure the thread and hose bib are cleaned/cleared of any debris. If you have mulch near your hose bib, lots of time you'll get bits of mulch and dirt caught in the threads and that allows for water to slowly slip by.

Lastly, I had a hose bib that was chrome plated. It was a crappy one, however, and the chrome plating was chipping off, even on the threads. This led to leak issues until I cleaned up all of the loose material.

If you have water pressure issues, it could be from lots of things. Call your water department to ask them what the water pressure in the main should be. Then get a pressure gauge that you can attach to your hose bib. You'll know soon enough if there are pressure issues. Honestly, if you have serious pressure issues, you'll notice it at other locations first. Probably a toilet valve that fails prematurely all the time. Or a drip in a sink that you can't seem to get rid of.

City water pressure is typically very consistent. If you have pressure issues, it's probably something in your house that's causing a rise in pressure. If you have a pressure regulator right where the water comes into the building, and it's failed, then that could be it. Otherwise, maybe your hot water heater's expansion tank has failed and the HWH is pressurizing the entire system in the house. Depends on how your plumbing is configured.
 
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ftaok said:
Here's my advice (note that I am not a plumber).

I would not use teflon tape to wrap metal male threads that then go onto a device with plastic female threads. You're just asking for the plastic to "stretch" and get permanently damaged.

If you're having leak issues, I would check the washer for damage or wear. It's very easy and cheap to replace. Also make sure the thread and hose bib are cleaned/cleared of any debris. If you have mulch near your hose bib, lots of time you'll get bits of mulch and dirt caught in the threads and that allows for water to slowly slip by.

Lastly, I had a hose bib that was chrome plated. It was a crappy one, however, and the chrome plating was chipping off, even on the threads. This led to leak issues until I cleaned up all of the loose material.

If you have water pressure issues, it could be from lots of things. Call your water department to ask them what the water pressure in the main should be. Then get a pressure gauge that you can attach to your hose bib. You'll know soon enough if there are pressure issues. Honestly, if you have serious pressure issues, you'll notice it at other locations first. Probably a toilet valve that fails prematurely all the time. Or a drip in a sink that you can't seem to get rid of.

City water pressure is typically very consistent. If you have pressure issues, it's probably something in your house that's causing a rise in pressure. If you have a pressure regulator right where the water comes into the building, and it's failed, then that could be it. Otherwise, maybe your hot water heater's expansion tank has failed and the HWH is pressurizing the entire system in the house. Depends on how your plumbing is configured.
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Thanks for the info. We actually did have a toilet tank bottom hose connector fail where it connects to the tank a few months ago! Fortunately it happened when I was soaking in the bathtub after putting in landscaping rock all day so I immediately heard it and was able to shut it off. I should probably turn down our valve. I just finished putting an office in my basement and I'm pretty sure this little screw you can turn behind this access panel I put in controls the water pressure (it's right above the shut off valve). Not long after we moved in we put in a second kitchen in the basement for my wife's daycare and the plumber while working on the sink adjusted our pressure upwards because I told him we weren't getting good pressure in the showers. But recently I learned about how newer shower heads have pressure reduction washers in them that need to be removed. I'll turn down the pressure a little bit and see how it goes, thanks!
 
I've been waiting for this. Now I just need to wait a little bit longer for it to go on sale for a discount somewhere :D
 
I wonder if this could be used to count use and cut off the main water inlet to my condo in the event of an emergency. Could this handle that volume of water?

I had a leak from my laundry machine that I luckily caught in time but not before it damaged the hardwood floor and the neighbour’s ceiling below me.

Had I had a leak detector and a shutoff at my main valve, it could have cut the water to my home.

It’d be great to also count my own water use. I can’t otherwise see my use because it’s only counted for the entire building which we all pay into our condo fees.
 
blacktape242 said:
Id rather take a sprinkler controller then a hose controller any day. Give me something that can control my sprinkler valves.
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Check out Rachio (https://www.rachio.com)

It's not (yet?) HomeKit enabled directly but does support IFTTT. I've had the gen 2 for several years and it's great. Plus it does integrate with Alexa, Google Home and SmartThings, so if you have those... you're in like Flynn! It's fun asking Alexa to water the patio plants (extra... the normal watering is scheduled/controlled via the app).
 
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JRobinsonJr said:
Check out Rachio (https://www.rachio.com)

It's not (yet?) HomeKit enabled directly but does support IFTTT. I've had the gen 2 for several years and it's great. Plus it does integrate with Alexa, Google Home and SmartThings, so if you have those... you're in like Flynn! It's fun asking Alexa to water the patio plants (extra... the normal watering is scheduled/controlled via the app).
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Thats what im talking about! nice!
 
blacktape242 said:
Thats what im talking about! nice!
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I'm sorry but homekit has been terrible and I found it the ipad as a relay is terrible. I read the same thing about apple tv as a hub.

I use the rachio and I love it! I use it to cycle soak my front lawn. (water for 2 minutes, soaks for 30, for a total of 15 minutes of watering time). I totally recommend it. Don't let lack of homekit be a deterrent. It is the best reviewed smart sprinkler, and most versatile, and the app is really good.
[doublepost=1533879261][/doublepost]
Iconoclysm said:
People pay far more for this EXACT automation in their homes. What is with the constant "now I've seen everything" type comments whenever a new homekit gadget is released?
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I was just saying the switch is being justified to turn a faucet on and off. If one's faucet is that hard to turn, I suggest getting someone to look into it or replace it.
[doublepost=1533879362][/doublepost]
blacktape242 said:
Id rather take a sprinkler controller then a hose controller any day. Give me something that can control my sprinkler valves.
Click to expand...

Rachio! Love mine smart sprinker.
 
I have one and the Idea is great. BUT the BT range is terrible. My HomePod is standing 5 feet away and it doesn’t work. I have to reset it every couple of days. WI-FI would have been so much better. Great idea and concept but you will have to walk up to it and press the button. HomeKit support is terrible. I really wanted it to work.

The auto off function is great. Turn it on and it shuts itself off after a preset time. Please updat the range
 
This product could be a big deal if they can adapt it be used in other places.

For example, one of the single largest risk areas in a home is the connection between the water supply and the toilet. There have been a rash of toilet tanks cracking and leaking recently causing significant damage to homes. (This is fresh water going into the tank for flushing, not sewer water.)

If this could be adapted to monitor the flow and alert you, or shut off the flow, after a a certain time or volume, it could be seen as a significant risk barrier.

Or, if they can adapt it for whole house water flow monitoring and cutoff. Being able to see what is flowing through the house and shut it off would be a big deal (IMHO.)

FWIW
DLM
 
1rottenapple said:
I'm sorry but homekit has been terrible and I found it the ipad as a relay is terrible. I read the same thing about apple tv as a hub.

I use the rachio and I love it! I use it to cycle soak my front lawn. (water for 2 minutes, soaks for 30, for a total of 15 minutes of watering time). I totally recommend it. Don't let lack of homekit be a deterrent. It is the best reviewed smart sprinkler, and most versatile, and the app is really good.
[doublepost=1533879261][/doublepost]

I was just saying the switch is being justified to turn a faucet on and off. If one's faucet is that hard to turn, I suggest getting someone to look into it or replace it.
[doublepost=1533879362][/doublepost]

Rachio! Love mine smart sprinker.
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I agree home kit is terrible. I dont mind the apple tv as a hub, i pretty much cut cable and only use apple tv now.
 
ftaok said:
No you haven't. You'll have seen everything when they update this as a $200, 2-pack combo. ;)

Honestly, this is a step forward for a "poor-man's" lawn irrigation system. I used to have a $40 timer kit that had 4 vavles, so I could set up 4 individual zones to sprinkle various sections of my lawn. If they made one of these with 4 independent valves, I might be interested.
Click to expand...

Same, sign me up!
 
Well, debatable cost but I’ve been using it for a few years and really enjoy it! I know that probably sounds funny for a device that basically waters the lawn but I do. Full review on YouTube if interested:
 
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