Success with C8, Aqara water sensors, and Bulldog Z-wave valve robot

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Sharing this info in case it helps someone else.

My original plan was to pair a dozen ZigBee Aqara water sensors to my C8 along with a Bulldog Z-wave valve robot (EVC200-HCSML) with the goal of the water sensor being a trigger to close the robot valve controller to shut off my water main.

Unfortunately I couldn't get the water sensors to stay connected to the C8. I tried adding Third Reality Smart Plug zigbee repeaters from Amazon but that didn't seem to help, nor did the use of a couple Tuya USB A plug-style ZigBee repeaters from AliExpress. I have a slew of Somfy Zigbee motorized roller shades throughout my house along with four or five Somfy ZigBee smart plugs, all of which are also repeaters. The Somfy devices all play nicely with the C8 but wouldn't pick up the Aqara water sensors either.

So, what finally worked, and I'm slightly ashamed to admit it but here goes...Alexa.

I also have an Aqara M2 hub to support an Aqara U100 Smart lock. The water sensors pair easily with the M2 and more importantly, stay connected. So, I connected the water sensors to the M2 hub, connected the M2 hub to my Alexa network (Amazon skill), and connected the Bulldog robot to the C8. The C8 was already connected to Alexa (C8 app/Alexa skill). So, now Alexa becomes the brain to my rule such that I built a routine in Alexa that if leak sensor #1 detects "water leak", then Alexa will turn the bulldog valve controller "off". I had to repeat this routine for the other eleven sensors individually as I couldn't find a good way to create a routine using all twelve sensors grouped together. I also created two opposite voice routines in Alexa so I can trigger the Bulldog robot on or off via Alexa. I can also control the valve in Hubitat, but only if I happen to be at home, on the same network. Using Alexa gives me the added advantage of remote management of that valve.

I have managed to connect the Aqara M2 hub to my C8 via a Matter bridge but as of right now, the water sensors connected to the M2 don't seem to be exposed to the bridge and therefore aren't visible in Hubitat. I've read that a bunch of other Aqara devices, including my U100 Smart lock, successfully show up, but not these, yet.

My goal was to have the C8 be the main brain of my operation but ultimately I'll live with the M2/Alexa option because it actually works with the hardware I have on hand. I'm open to C8-centric suggestions just in case Alexa decides to stop playing nicely.

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The issue I would have with this is, if you don't have a cloud connection, this won't work. I would want a totally local option especially for this.

I mostly use the Zigbee Aeotec Smartthings sensors. I have a have a couple of other types as well. I have a leaksmart shutoff that is Z-wave. Its all local and works even when the internet is off.

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I 100% agree! I'd much prefer a local solution, but just couldn't find a way to easily solve for that without scrapping these water sensors and starting over with something new. I was already in for over $100 for the Aqara sensors, shifting to something like the Aeotec sensors would be another ~$400. That said, it remains an option if I want a truly local solution.

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A more economical, and very reliable, option is the IKEA Badring sensor.

Works great with the driver located here:

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Interesting option, thanks for sharing! I need a couple more locations monitored; maybe I'll try these.

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