A smart faucet controller (400) and method (100), comprising the steps of: detecting water movement (102); sensing water temperature (104); and processing data created by the detecting and sensing steps and sending instructions (106) to: close an exit valve to disallow water from exiting a delivery point if water is below a minimum threshold temperature, substantially simultaneously open a bypass valve to allow water to circulate back through water lines to a hot water source, activate a remote water circulation pump to send heated water to a point of use, and reset the exit valve and bypass valve to default positions and turn off a water circulation pump once the water reaches the threshold temperature. Advantageously, the method (100) and smart faucet controller (400) are configured to provide and/or measure a water conservation function that avoids wasting water.