Title: New Texas Landscape Irrigation Rules and Regulations
1New Texas Landscape Irrigation Rules and
Regulations
- Professional Grounds Conference
- January 28, 2009
- Belton, Texas
2Contacts
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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4Standards 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.
5House 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
6House 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
7House 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
8House 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
9Irrigation 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
10Irrigation 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
11Irrigation 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
12Irrigation 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
13Irrigation 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
14Irrigation 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!
15Irrigation Technician
- Training
- 16 Hour Training Class (TCEQ Approved)
- Pass an Examination
- CEUs Required for License Renewal
- 3 year renewal
16Comparison
- 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
17House 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
18House 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!
19Changes Regarding the Connection of the
Irrigation System to any Water Supply
20Backflow 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.
21Connection 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.
22Connection 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.
23Reduced 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
24Air 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.
25Connection 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!
26Connection 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.
27Changes Regarding the Design, Installation and
Operation of an Irrigation System
28Irrigation 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
29Irrigation 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.
30Irrigation 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
31Irrigation 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
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34Irrigation System Design
- Emission devices must be installed to operate at
with the manufacturer published recommendations - Head Spacing
- Pressure Requirements
35Irrigation 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
36Irrigation 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
37Irrigation 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
38Irrigation 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
39Changes to Increase Water Conservation
40Water 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
41Water 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
42Water 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.
43Irrigation System Walk Through
44Final 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.
45Maintenance 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
46Seasonal 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
47Sources for Seasonal Irrigation Data - Web
- TexasET Network http//texaset.tamu.edu
48TexasET Network Real Time Current ET
49TexasET Network Historic Data
50Sources 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
51Texas Landscape Irrigation Auditing Scheduling
Software
52Final 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.
53Irrigating with Reclaimed Water
54Reclaimed 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
55Irrigating 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
56Significance of New Laws
57The 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
58What 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
59Contacts
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