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New Texas Landscape Irrigation Rules and Regulations

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Title: New Texas Landscape Irrigation Rules and Regulations


1
New Texas Landscape Irrigation Rules and
Regulations
  • Professional Grounds Conference
  • January 28, 2009
  • Belton, Texas

2
Contacts
Dr. Guy Fipps Professor Extension Agricultural
Engineer Director, Irrigation Technology
Center Email gfipps_at_tamu.edu Charles
Swanson Extension Associate Urban
Irrigation Email clswanson_at_ag.tamu.edu For More
Info Visit Irrigation Technology
Center http//itc.tamu.edu Texas AM School of
Irrigation http//irrigation.tamu.edu
3
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4
Standards of Conduct
  • Irrigators, Installers, Irrigation Technicians
    and Inspectors must comply with the current
    adopted rules AND any local rule that does not
    conflict with the TCEQ rules.

5
House Bill 1656
  • Passed in the 80th Legislative Session (2007)
  • Authored by
  • Representative Robert Puente, State House
    District 119
  • Sponsored by
  • Senator Kip Averitt, Senate District 22

6
House Bill 1656
  • Requires some political jurisdictions to adopt
    ordinances related to landscape irrigation
  • Exempts
  • On Site Sewage Systems
  • Agricultural Irrigation
  • Irrigation systems connected to a groundwater
    well and used by the property owner for domestic
    use
  • Called for licensing of an Irrigation Inspector

7
House Bill 1656, What it means
  • Requires municipalities of 20,000 or more to
    adopt ordinances related to landscape irrigation.
  • This effects over 166 municipalities in Texas
  • Ordinances must be AT LEAST as stringent as the
    TCEQ Landscape Irrigation Rules
  • Water Districts may also adopt such ordinances

8
House Bill 1656, What it means
  • Bill calls for licensing of an irrigation
    inspector
  • A municipality may employ or contract with a
    licensed plumbing inspector or another
    governmental entity to enforce the ordinances
  • Requires a permit before installing a system
  • Allows for fees to be collected for obtaining or
    renewing a permit to recover the costs of the
    program

9
Irrigation Inspectors
  • Enforce the Landscape Irrigation Rules at a local
    level
  • Previously only 3 people did this state wide!
  • Verify
  • The design and installation meets all rules and
    requirements
  • All required permits have been obtained
  • The Irrigator, Installer or Technician is
    licensed

10
Irrigation Inspectors
  • Responsible for
  • Investigating irrigation system complaints
  • Advertising complaints
  • Does the irrigator have an active license?
  • Maintain appropriate records
  • Keep a log of complaints and inpections for 3
    years

11
Irrigation Inspectors
  • Inspectors must successfully complete
  • The basic irrigator training course
  • An approved backflow prevention assembly testing
    training course
  • An approved water conservation or water audit
    course
  • Pass the state examination

12
Irrigation Inspectors
  • A Licensed Irrigation Inspector cannot engage in
    other landscape irrigation work
  • What does this mean?
  • Cannot be a Licensed Irrigator during the time
    someone is employed as an Irrigation Inspector
  • Cannot hold the 2 licenses at the same time

13
Irrigation Installers
  • All existing licenses for Irrigation Installers
    will expire December 31, 2009
  • After June 1, 2009 no new installer licenses will
    be issued
  • New Irrigation Technician License will replace
    Installers

14
Irrigation Technician
  • Works under the DIRECT SUPERVISION of a Licensed
    Irrigator
  • Duties
  • Install a backflow prevention device
  • Install, Maintain, Alter, Repair or Service an
    Irrigation System
  • Cannot design or alter the design!

15
Irrigation Technician
  • Training
  • 16 Hour Training Class (TCEQ Approved)
  • Pass an Examination
  • CEUs Required for License Renewal
  • 3 year renewal

16
Comparison
  • Licensed Installer
  • Licensed Irrigation Technician
  • Can only connect a landscape irrigation system to
    a water supply under the DIRECT supervision of a
    Licensed Irrigator
  • Can install, maintain, alter, repair or service
    an irrigation system
  • Can install a backflow prevention device
  • Works under the DIRECT supervision of a Licensed
    Irrigator

17
House Bill 4 Senate Bill 3
  • Passed During the 80th Legislative Session (2007)
  • Authored by Representative Puente and Senator
    Averitt
  • Requires the Texas Commission on Environmental
    Quality (TCEQ) to adopt by rule and enforce
    standards governing
  • Connection of irrigation systems to any water
    supply
  • Design, installation, and operation of irrigation
    systems
  • Water Conservation
  • Duties and Responsibilities of Licensed Irrigators

18
House Bill 4 Senate Bill 3
  • Required TCEQ to consult with the Irrigator
    Advisory Council in adopting rules
  • Required TCEQ to
  • Adopt rules by June 1, 2008
  • Be effective January 1, 2009
  • THIS MEANS THEY ARE IN EFFECT NOW!

19
Changes Regarding the Connection of the
Irrigation System to any Water Supply
20
Backflow Prevention Devices
  • All backflow devices must be tested upon
    installation
  • If a health hazard exist, the device MUST be
    tested upon installation and ANNUALLY thereafter.
  • All backflow device must be approved by certain
    standards and trade organizations.

21
Connection of Irrigation System to the water
supply
  • Backflow prevention device must be approved by
  • American Society of Sanitary Engineers
  • Foundation for Cross-Connection Control
    Hydraulic Research
  • University of Southern California
  • Uniform Plumbing Code
  • Or any other laboratory that has equivalent
    capabilities for the laboratory and field
    evaluation of backflow prevention assemblies.

22
Connection of Irrigation System to the water
supply
  • All devices must be installed in accordance with
    the manufacturers current published
    recommendations
  • Requires the use of a Reduced Pressure Principle
    (RPZ) Backflow Assembly or an Air Gap if a
    chemical is added to the irrigation system.
  • This includes treated drip product.

23
Reduced Pressure Principle Backflow Prevention
Assembly
  • Also known as a RPZ
  • Used in high hazard applications
  • Uses a combination of check valves and an air
    chamber, which will open to the atmosphere when
    failure occurs

24
Air Gap
  • Is a physical break that separates non potable
    water from the potable water source
  • It is impossible for the water to travel back
    through its source.

25
Connection of Irrigation System to the water
supply
  • Can connect more than one water source to an
    irrigation system IF a RPZ or Air Gap is
    connected on the potable water supply side.
  • If an irrigation system mainline is opened, then
    a backflow prevention device (if not already
    present) must be installed and TESTED!

26
Connection of Irrigation System to the water
supply
  • If a master valve is used, it must be installed
    on the discharge side of the backflow prevention
    device.
  • The irrigator must now insure the backflow
    prevention device is tested prior to the system
    being placed in service.
  • The test results are to be provided to the system
    owner and water purveyor within 10 days of the
    testing of the backflow prevention device.

27
Changes Regarding the Design, Installation and
Operation of an Irrigation System
28
Irrigation System Design
  • An Irrigation Plan (Design) is required for all
    new irrigation system installations.
  • A copy showing the actual (AS BUILT) installation
    plan is to be provided to the Irrigation System
    Owner
  • Irrigator must maintain a copy for at least 3
    years
  • Only a Licensed Irrigator can create or alter a
    plan

29
Irrigation System Design
  • The Irrigators Seal
  • Signature Date of Signing below seal
  • The major physical features and the boundaries of
    the areas to be watered
  • Location and Type of Each
  • Controller
  • Sensor
  • Rain, moisture, wind, flow, freeze, etc.

30
Irrigation System Design
  • Location, Type and Size of Each
  • Water Source
  • Backflow Prevention Device
  • Water Emission Device
  • Spray Heads, Rotary Heads, Bubblers, Drip,
    Microsprays, etc.
  • Valve
  • Including all zone valves, master valves
    isolation valves
  • Pressure Regulating Component
  • Mainline and Lateral Piping

31
Irrigation System Design
  • A north arrow
  • A legend
  • Scale Used
  • Scale is to be decide by Irrigator
  • No TCEQ rule on what scale
  • Design Pressure for the Entire System

32
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33
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34
Irrigation System Design
  • Emission devices must be installed to operate at
    with the manufacturer published recommendations
  • Head Spacing
  • Pressure Requirements

35
Irrigation System Design
  • PVC pipe and fittings should be primed with a
    colored primer prior to applying the PVC Cement
    in accordance with the Uniform Plumbing Code
  • Select backfill must be used to cover pipe and
    return the site back to natural grade
  • 6 inches is required from the top of the pipe
  • Select Backfill has no trash present or rocks
    bigger than 2 in diameter

36
Irrigation System Design
  • Underground electrical wiring that connects the
    automatic controller to an electrical component
    in the irrigation system must be buried with a
    minimum of six inches of select backfill
  • If a master valve is used, it must be installed
    on the discharge side of the backflow prevention
    device
  • Flow of water in PVC pipe cannot exceed five feet
    per second velocity

37
Irrigation System Design
  • An isolation valve is required on all new
    irrigation systems
  • Is installed for the purpose of having the
    ability to MANUALLY shut off water flow to the
    irrigation system
  • Is not a master valve
  • Must be installed between the meter and backflow
    prevention device

38
Irrigation System Design
  • Water from an irrigation system cannot be used to
    fill a swimming pool or decorative fountain.
  • If a hose bib is connected to a system, it must
    be connected using a quick coupler key on quick
    coupler installed in a purple valve box
  • Hose bib and hoses must be labeled
    non-potable, not safe for drinking

39
Changes to Increase Water Conservation
40
Water Conservation Practices
  • NO above ground spray emission devices in
    landscapes that are less than 48 inches in length
    or width that have vehicle or pedestrian traffic
    on two or more perimeters.
  • This means utilizing drip

41
Water Conservation Practices
  • Irrigation zones should be based on plant
    material type, microclimate factors, topographic
    features, soil conditions and hydrological
    requirements.
  • Irrigation system cannot spray water over an
    impervious material

42
Water Conservation Practices
  • A rain or moisture shutoff device or other device
    is required on automatically controlled
    irrigation systems.
  • Repairs to an existing automatic irrigation
    system that requires the replacement of an
    existing controller must include a sensor.
  • Some counties in West Texas are exempt from this
    requirement.

43
Irrigation System Walk Through
44
Final walk through
  • The Irrigator that provided on-site supervision
    or Irrigation Technician will conduct a final
    walk through with the irrigation system owner or
    owners representative to explain the operation of
    the system
  • Will complete a maintenance checklist and give
    the original copy to the irrigation system owner.

45
Maintenance Checklist
  • Includes
  • The manufacturers manual for the automatic
    controller
  • A Seasonal Irrigation Schedule
  • A list of components that require maintenance and
    recommended frequency of service
  • A statement that the irrigation system has been
    installed according to all rules and laws

46
Seasonal Irrigation Schedule
  • A Seasonal (spring, summer, fall, winter)
    watering schedule based on either
  • Current/real time Evapotranspiration
  • Or monthly historical reference
    Evapotranspiration (historical ET) data
  • Monthly effective rainfall estimates
  • Plant landscape coefficient factors
  • Site factors

47
Sources for Seasonal Irrigation Data - Web
  • TexasET Network http//texaset.tamu.edu

48
TexasET Network Real Time Current ET
49
TexasET Network Historic Data
50
Sources for Season Irrigation Schedules - Software
  • Texas AM School of Irrigation
  • http//irrigation.tamu.edu
  • Landscape Irrigation Auditing Management Short
    Course
  • Texas Landscape Irrigation Auditing Scheduling
    Software
  • Allows users to enter a precipitation rate from
    either manufacturer performance data or from
    catch can test and produce a seasonal based
    irrigation schedule
  • Based on Historical ET and Rainfall, Plant
    Coefficient, and Plant Quality Adjustment Factors

51
Texas Landscape Irrigation Auditing Scheduling
Software
52
Final walk through
  • A permanent sticker containing the irrigators
    name, license number, company name, telephone
    number and the dates of the warranty period is to
    be placed on the automatic controller
  • A copy of the irrigation plan showing the actual
    (as built) installation of the system should also
    be presented at this time.

53
Irrigating with Reclaimed Water
54
Reclaimed Water
  • Reclaimed water may be used in an irrigation
    system if
  • There is no direct contact with edible crops or
    if the crop is pasteurized before consumption
  • There is no spray of water across property lines
    belonging to someone else
  • A sign (English Spanish) is prominently
    displayed that reads Reclaimed Water Do Not
    Drink

55
Irrigating with Reclaimed Water
  • The domestic water supply is connected using an
    Air Gap or RPZ device
  • Backflow prevention on the reclaimed water supply
    meets the water purveyors requirements
  • Check with the local water purveyor for
    any other requirements in which
    reclaimed water is
    utilized

56
Significance of New Laws
57
The Big Changes to Know
  • All new installs must have an irrigation plan
  • New Installs must have a rain or moisture
    shut-off device
  • Irrigators Sticker on the controller
  • Name, LI, Phone Number Warranty Dates
  • Irrigation Inspectors are out to enforce the law
  • A Seasonal Irrigation Schedule is now required

58
What to Expect in the Future?
  • Rules defining the Irrigation Plan
  • Example Limitation on Scale used
  • Rules Regulating Rainwater use for Irrigation
  • More Stringent Rules for Water Conservation
  • Local Municipal Level

59
Contacts
Dr. Guy Fipps Professor Extension Agricultural
Engineer Director, Irrigation Technology
Center Email gfipps_at_tamu.edu Charles
Swanson Extension Associate Urban
Irrigation Email clswanson_at_ag.tamu.edu For More
Info Visit Irrigation Technology
Center http//itc.tamu.edu Texas AM School of
Irrigation http//irrigation.tamu.edu
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