New Texas Landscape Irrigation Rules and Regulations

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New Texas Landscape Irrigation Rules and
Regulations

• Professional Grounds Conference
• January 28, 2009
• Belton, Texas

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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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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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!

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Irrigation Technician

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

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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

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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

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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!

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Changes Regarding the Connection of the
Irrigation System to any Water Supply
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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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!

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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.

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Changes Regarding the Design, Installation and
Operation of an Irrigation System
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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

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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.

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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

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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

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Irrigation System Design

• Emission devices must be installed to operate at
  with the manufacturer published recommendations
• Head Spacing
• Pressure Requirements

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Changes to Increase Water Conservation
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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

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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

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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.

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Irrigation System Walk Through
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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.

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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

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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

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Sources for Seasonal Irrigation Data - Web

• TexasET Network http//texaset.tamu.edu

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TexasET Network Real Time Current ET
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TexasET Network Historic Data
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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

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Texas Landscape Irrigation Auditing Scheduling
Software
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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.

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Irrigating with Reclaimed Water
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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

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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

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Significance of New Laws
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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

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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

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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