WPC0 x$K/P k [Q$dp-FaYfmS/'=2kZ쫶t8{k 8mby)]VpWNހzj hcd*%/#9U,6!'~Dʯ3Wc Iƶ@?GIFB38>kץC72*C+oz<ɳ ?ڠ# LxǸZ[peukW[c>s桊b̳ܣpB [#g I劻(AaOGg|16H`aNTV-ht\ s_A1nG:3JXi9~ P(G9>Kh.1Ca{ӛ3EX`THٺYֹ70I;3&wDQj蚱*sh@M区Lyl VKL*wCR0cUOX&}EU#> 0@ 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0$ 07 08 09 0: 0; 0< 0= 0> 0? 0@ 0@ 0@ 0@ 0@ 0@ 0@! 0@" 0@# 0<@$ 0<|$ 0$ 0%P& 0_' D+( A?(@ (o("w)") 1U) 7 *U,*"H*"j*"*"**"_,", B-, B,, 0,#-UNX/ %/M/(/N/^ / 1u/ 72[0w0400 m0\  `&Times New Roman' THE IRRIGATION TECHNOLOGY CENTER dmf61580raul .   2[+[ 0_level1   , 8.` hp x (#823  ..   8.` hp x (#8  2[+[ 0_level2   X 8.` hp x (#823  ..   8.` hp x (#8  2[+[ 0_level3    8.4` hp x (#823  ..   8.` hp x (#8  2[+[ 0_level4    8.` ` hp x (#823  ..   8.` hp x (#8  2[+[ 0_level5    8. ` hp x (#823  ..   8.` hp x (#8  2[+[ 0_level6    8. ` hp x (#823  ..   8.` hp x (#8  2[+[ 0_level7   4 8. ` hp x (#823  ..   8.` hp x (#8  2[+[ 0_level8   ` 8.` hp x (#823  ..   8.` hp x (#8  2[+[ 0_level9    8.<` hp x (#823  ..   8.` hp x (#8  2[[ 0_levsl1   , 8.` hp x (#823  Ԁ   8.` hp x (#8  2[[ 0_levsl2   X 8.` hp x (#823  Ԁ   8.` hp x (#8  2[[ 0_levsl3    8.4` hp x (#823  Ԁ   8.` hp x (#8  2[[ 0_levsl4    8.` ` hp x (#823  Ԁ   8.` hp x (#8  2[[ 0_levsl5    8. ` hp x (#823  Ԁ   8.` hp x (#8  2[[ 0_levsl6    8. ` hp x (#823  Ԁ   8.` hp x (#8  2[[ 0_levsl7   4 8. ` hp x (#823  Ԁ   8.` hp x (#8  2[[ 0_levsl8   ` 8.` hp x (#823  Ԁ   8.` hp x (#8  2[[ 0_levsl9    8.<` hp x (#823  Ԁ   8.` hp x (#8  2[[ 0_levnl1   , 8.` hp x (#823     8.` hp x (#8  2[[ 0_levnl2   X 8.` hp x (#823     8.` hp x (#8  2[[ 0_levnl3    8.4` hp x (#823     8.` hp x (#8  2[[ 0_levnl4    8.` ` hp x (#823     8.` hp x (#8  2[[ 0_levnl5    8. ` hp x (#823     8.` hp x (#8  2[[ 0_levnl6    8. ` hp x (#823     8.` hp x (#8  2[[ 0_levnl7   4 8. ` hp x (#823     8.` hp x (#8  2[[ 0_levnl8   ` 8.` hp x (#823     8.` hp x (#8  2[[ 0_levnl9    8.<` hp x (#823     8.` hp x (#8  <:Default Para<:Footnote Ref2PP 0Level 2   8.` ` hp x (#8  8.` hp x (#8  &PP $_   8.` ` hp x (#8  8.` hp x (#8    #W)..      9X9X9  e  eXX  XX(2W$ 7Z!..      9X9X9  'dxd$&Draw Object <<=8C HKKKK' WPCjiLK513%)+-51d.-       8  8 (359=AEIMQ1 * (\ Y`Symbol       8  8        8  8   #W)..      9X9X9  &j%B.` hp x (#XBe%&j  eXX  XX       8  8 )Hairline d  d#|x(rZ$..      9X9X9HP LaserJet 5/5M PostScript0(9 Z6Times New Roman Regular9X$+ 3#37=CIQYag1.a.i.(1)(a)(i)1)a)?i)ut*U 7Z!..      9X9X9  _       888dd8"  XX THEIRRIGATIONTECHNOLOGYCENTER 8 ConceptandVision    0p x (#X0&j%XX Q#March14,2000  H.` hp x (#X(#H Vision  r Establishaworldclass,stateoftheartfacilityforeducation,testingandappliedresearch,topromote P  efficientirrigation,waterconservation,profitableagriculturalproduction,andqualityurbanlandscapes. #   Mission     ThemissionoftheIrrigationTechnologyCenter(ITC)isto: o 7   XE.` hp x (#X(#EDevelopdesignandperformancestandardsforagriculturalandlandscapeirrigationsystems,    XE.` hp x (#X(#E XE.` hp x (#X(#EEstablishanequipmenttestingandcertificationprogram,    XE.` hp x (#X(#E XE.` hp x (#X(#EProvidetrainingandeducationalservicesforirrigators,agencyandindustrypersonnel,and a)  XE.` hp x (#X(#E XE.` hp x (#X(#EDevelopnewandimprovedirrigationtechnologies,methods,andmanagementpractices.   XE.` hp x (#X(#EITCwillalsosupportregionalprogramsandservicesincludingPET(potentialevapotranspiration) u networks,pumpingplantefficiencytesting,andspecializedtrainingandeducationalprograms. H  ProblemStatement  & InTexas,agriculturalirrigationusesabout65%ofthetotalfreshwaterconsumedannually,while  landscapeirrigationaccountsfor2040%oftotalmunicipalwateruse.Texasrapidlygrowing g populationandindustriesareputtinganincreaseddemandonexistingwatersuppliesandconveyance r: systems;andregionalwatershortagesareexpectedtobecomeprevalentinthenextcentury.Toensure E  adequatewatersupplies,wemustrealizethefullbenefitsofexistingtechnologies,developmoreefficient  irrigationproducts,methodsandmanagementstrategies,andeducatebothagriculturalandlandscape  irrigatorsontheiruse.   Theagriculturalandurbanirrigationindustriesarelargelyunregulated.Equipmentmanufacturersand d ," retailersoftenmakeclaimsregardingtheefficiencyandperformanceoftheirequipmentwithoutadequate 7!# testing.Noindependentdesignstandardsexistforirrigationsystems,andmostconsumersdonothave  "$ theexpertisetodetermineifthesystemtheyarepurchasingwillperformedasclaimed. "% Currently,onesmall,independentsprinklerirrigationtestingfacilityexistsintheUnitedStateswhich $K ' conductslaboratoryandbenchscaletestingonly.TheIrrigationTechnologyCenter,ontheotherhand, V%!( willtestandcertifywholeirrigationsystemsand,thus,beabletodevelopdesignandperformance )&!) standardsunderactualoperatingconditions. &"*  -  %&j%&k[W$~LKp@0 ddLKE(LKLKG(-  &j% (j$,  %&jReturncommentsto:Dr.GuyFipps,ProfessorandExtensionAgriculturalEngineer,DepartmentofAgricultural )L%. Engineering,TexasA&MUniversity,CollegeStation,TX778432117;409/8457454(voice);409/8478828(fax); C* &/ gfipps@tamu.edu(internet).&j% +&0 ()  +'1  () ( )(8888 )  MajorDivisions  8  XE.` hp x (#X(#EUrbanProgramsDivision  AgriculturalProgramsDivision y TestingandCertificationDivision L WastewaterReuseDivision W InternationalDivision *   XE.` hp x (#X(#EUrbanProgramsDivision   TheUrbanProgramsDivisionwillconsistofresidentialandcommerciallandscapeirrigationsystemsto v >  providehandsoninstruction,testingandperformanceevaluations,andappliedresearch.Systemswill I   includefullyautomatedandmanuallycontrolleddrip,sprinklerandmicrosprayirrigationofvariousplant   materials.ThesefacilitieswillalsoallowfortheevaluationofremotesensingtechnologiesandPET   networksforuseinurbanirrigationschedulingandwaterbudgeting.Weexpectthatthetestingand   appliedresearchprogramswillleadtotheintroductionofimprovedmethodsandproductsforlandscape ]  irrigation. h0  Trainingprogramswillbeprovidedforlandscapecontractors,designers,andmunicipal,utilityand  agencypersonnelonefficientirrigation,including:   *(83?""   ,E.` hp x (#X(#E   ,  E.` ` hp x (#X(#E,&%%&j2 3   `   &j%%,&dripirrigationtechnologyandmanagement݌ O Ќ  $ X(#` X(#$   ""   ,E.` hp x (#X(#E   ,  E.` ` hp x (#X(#E,&%%&j2 3   `   &j%%,&irrigationsystemauditingandwaterbudgeting5݌ g/ Ќ  $ X(#` X(#$   ""   ,E.` hp x (#X(#E   ,  E.` ` hp x (#X(#E,&%%&jN2 3   `   &j%%,&scientificschedulingmethodsNt݌ G Ќ  $ X(#` X(#$   ""   ,E.` hp x (#X(#E   ,  E.` ` hp x (#X(#E,&%%&j| 2 3   `   &j%%,&soilmoisturemeasurementandtechnologies| !݌ ' Ќ  $ X(#` X(#$   ""   ,E.` hp x (#X(#E   ,  E.` ` hp x (#X(#E,&%%&j"2 3   `   &j%%,&weatherstationoperationandmaintenance"#݌  Ќ  $ X(#` X(#$   ""   ,E.` hp x (#X(#E   ,  E.` ` hp x (#X(#E,&%%&j$2 3   `   &j%%,&graywaterandotheralternativesourcesforlandscapeirrigation$&݌  Ќ  $ X(#` X(#$   ""   ,E.` hp x (#X(#E   ,  E.` ` hp x (#X(#E,&%%&jC'2 3   `   &j%%,&systemselection,performanceandoperation p C'i(݌  Ќ  $ X(#` X(#$   ""   ,E.` hp x (#X(#E   ,  E.` ` hp x (#X(#E,&%%&j)2 3   `   &j%%,&zonedsprinklerirrigationdesign)*݌ o Ќ  $ X(#` X(#$   ""   ,E.` hp x (#X(#E   ,  E.` ` hp x (#X(#E,&%%&j+2 3   `   &j%%,&waterreuse+,݌ O Ќ  $ X(#` X(#$   Modellandscapeswillbeestablishedfordemonstratingandevaluatingalternativeplantmaterialsand : otherlandscapewaterconservationmethods.ITCwillcooperatewithmunicipalities,utilities,andother    organizationsondevelopinganddeliveringeducationalprogramsforhomeowners,andleadthe ! developmentofinternetinformationdeliverysystems.  {" AgriculturalProgramsDivision Y"!$ TheAgriculturalProgramsDivisionwillconsistoftruescale,operatingagriculturalirrigationsystemsof #& allmajortechnologiesincludingdrip,sprinklerandfurrowirrigation.Thesefacilitieswillallowfor $ ' handsoninstruction,testing,performanceevaluations,andappliedresearch.Emergingtechnologies %m!( includingremotesensing,feedbackcontrol,variablerateapplicators,and intelligentirrigationsystems x&@") willbeevaluatedandfurtherdeveloped. K'#* Educationalprogramswillbeprovidedforfarmworkers,growers,landowners,lenders,publicofficials, ($, andindustrypersonnel,whichwillinclude: )%- " "   ,E.` hp x (#X(#E   ,  E.` ` hp x (#X(#E,&%%&j22 3   `   &j%%,&irrigationsystemselection,design,operationandmanagement23݌ j+2'/ Ќ  $ X(#` X(#$   " "   ,E.` hp x (#X(#E   ,  E.` ` hp x (#X(#E,&%%&j52 3   `   &j%%,&irrigationpumpingplantdesign,installationandefficiencytesting556݌ J,(0 Ќ  $ X(#` X(#$   " "   ,E.` hp x (#X(#E   ,  E.` ` hp x (#X(#E,&%%&jd72 3   `   &j%%,&properinstallationofflowmeters,weirsandotherflowmeasurementdevicesd78݌ 8 Ќ  $ X(#` X(#$   -." "   ,E.` hp x (#X(#E   ,  E.` ` hp x (#X(#E,&%%&j92 3   `   &j%%,&ET(evapotranspiration)fordeterminingcropwaterrequirements9 ;݌  Ќ  $ X(#` X(#$   " "   ,E.` hp x (#X(#E   ,  E.` ` hp x (#X(#E,&%%&j3<2 3   `   &j%%,&irrigationschedulingbasedonsoilmoisture,plantindicators,andothermethods3<Y=݌  Ќ  $ X(#` X(#$   ""   ,E.` hp x (#X(#E   ,  E.` ` hp x (#X(#E,&%%&j>2 3   `   &j%%,&wastewaterreuse h >?݌  Ќ  $ X(#` X(#$   TestingandCertificationDivision S ITCwilltestandcertifytheperformanceofbothlandscapeandagriculturalirrigationequipment, 1  includinglaboratorytestingofcomponentsandfieldtestingofcompletesystems.Thecertification   programwillprovideirrigators,lendersandregulatorsassurancethatsystemsandcomponentspurchased    willperformasadvertised.Effectsofwind,soils,landscapearea,planttypes,andotherenvironmental  r  factorswillbedeterminedindetail,therebyallowingforthedevelopmentofdesignstandardstoimprove } E  efficiency. P  ЀFour(4)indoortestinglaboratoriesandadditionaloutdoortestingfacilitiesareplannedwhichwill   provideITCwithcapabilitiesunsurpassedanywhereintheworld.     a) ` Amodernhydraulicslaboratorywillbeusedfortestingpumps,meters,backflow o7 preventiondevices,andotherirrigationsystemcomponents. B  b) ` Twoirrigationtestingbuildingswillbeconstructed:onewillbeacontrolled  environment,andtheotherwillbedesignedtodeterminetheeffectsofwindon  distributionpatternsandapplicationefficiency.  c) ` Asemiopendriptubingtestfacilitywill,amongothercapabilities,allowfor V measurementofdistributionuniformityoflonglaterals a) d) ` Outdoorfacilitiesandstateofthearttestequipmentwillbeusedforevaluatingwhole 4 irrigationsystemstodetermineperformance,benefits,longevityofcomponents,and  designstandards.    E.` hp x (#X(#EWastewaterReuseDivision H Wastewaterreuseisbeinglookedattohelpmeetthewaterneedsofbothurbanlandscapesand & productionagriculture.TheWastewaterReuseDivisionwillconducttrainingandappliedresearchonthe  specialnatureofwastewaterreuse,includingwaterqualityissues,plantresponse,systemdesign   requirements,corrosion,environmentalquality,andrecommendedmanagementpractices.Thedivision g! willcoordinatewastewaterreuseresearchanddemonstrationprojectswithuniversityresearchers,utilities, r :" industry,andpublicagencies.ITCsuniquefacilitieswillallowdetailedevaluationofdesignand E! # componentselectionissues.Longtermirrigationofcropsandlandscapeswilldemonstratethebenefits "$ andeffectivenessofwastewaterreusetothepublic. "% InternationalDivision $Y ' TheInternationalDivisionwillbeselfsupportingthroughfundingprovidedfromindustry,international 7&!) organizations,andforeigngovernments.ThisfundingwillalsohelpenhanceITCsprogramsand  '"* reputationandsupportotherdivisionsofthecenter.TheInternationalDivisionwillprovidetrainingof '#+ individuals,industryandgovernmentalpersonnel,andwillsupportinternationalirrigationeducationand (x$, technologytransferprograms.WeanticipatethatITCwillestablishaformalcooperativerelationship )K%- withoneormoreinternationalorganizationswhichhaveaninterestinITCsprogramsandinpromoting V*&. performancestandardsdevelopedbyITCininternationalprojects.ITCsinternationalprogramswillhelp )+&/ establishmarketsforTexasandU.S.irrigationproductsandservices. +'0  -. - .-8888 .  /0  8  /0 / 0/8888 0  8j&%dd81"  DetailedDescriptionofServices  8   XE.` hp x (#X(#E1).  DesignandPerformanceStandardsforAgriculturalandLandscapeIrrigationSystems    XE.` hp x (#X(#E XE.` hp x (#X(#ETheeffectivenessofirrigationsystemsisimpactedbymanyfactorsincluding:sizingofpipelines L andcomponents,pressures,waterflowandquality,environmentalconditions,andinstallation W procedures.Thelongevityofwholesystemsisinfluencedbythequalityofindividual *  componentsandmaintenance.Goodperformanceisachievedbytheintegrationand   considerationofallthesefactors.ITCwilldevelopefficiencydesignandperformancestandards   foragriculturalandlandscapeirrigationsystemunderrealworldoperatingconditions.The  k  hydraulicslabwillallowforthedevelopmentofflowmeterinstallationprocedurestoensure v >  accuratemeasurements,andforproperpumpselectionandinstallationtodecreaseenergyuse. I    XE.` hp x (#X(#E  XE.` hp x (#X(#E2).  EquipmentTestingandCertificationProgram     XE.` hp x (#X(#E XE.` hp x (#X(#ETestingofirrigationcomponentsandsystemswillbeconductedunderlaboratoryandrealworld ]  operatingenvironments.Equipmentwillbecertifiedashavingpassedspecificperformance h0  standards.Thehydraulicslabwillallowforindependentverificationoftheaccuracyand ; durabilityofflowmeters,backflowdevices,valves,pumps,etc.Allmajorwaterapplication  deviceswillbetestedincludingsprinklers,surgeflowvalves,gatedpipe,drip,andmicrosprays.   XE.` hp x (#X(#E  XE.` hp x (#X(#E3).  TrainingandEducationalServices O   XE.` hp x (#X(#E XE.` hp x (#X(#EStructuredtrainingandshortcourseprograms,publications,softwareandinternet(worldwide - web)resourceswillbedevelopedforfarmworkers,growers,landowners,publicofficials,and  industrypersonnelonirrigationtechnologies,watermanagementstrategies,waterreuse,and  othertopics.Regionalandstateeducationaleventsincludingfielddays,seminarsandwalking n tours,willbeconductedincooperationwithmunicipalities,utilities,industryandagencygroups, yA andeducationalinstitutions. L  XE.` hp x (#X(#E  XE.` hp x (#X(#E4).  ResearchandInformationSystems    XE.` hp x (#X(#E XE.` hp x (#X(#EITCwillcoordinatewithindustryandotherresearchersonthedevelopmentofnewtechnologies, `  integrationofadvancedsensorsandcomputercontrolsystems,wastewaterirrigation,water k3! requirementsofcropsandlandscapeplants,andevaluationofemergingtechnologiesand > " practices.Withitsadvancedfacilities,ITCwillbethefocalpointfortechnologicalinnovation !# researchinTexas.ITCisexpectedtoleadintheuseofGIS,informationtechnologies,and !$ systemsanalysisapplicationsinirrigation. "%  XE.` hp x (#X(#E  XE.` hp x (#X(#E5).  Evapotranspiration(ET)Determination ]$% '   XE.` hp x (#X(#E XE.` hp x (#X(#EEvapotranspiration(ET)isameasurementoftheamountofwaterrequiredbyplantsandcrops &!) underspecificclimaticandgrowthconditions.ITCwillbeequippedwith31weighinglysimeters &"* inordertodeterminetheexactwaterrequirementsofplantsandcropsbasedontheconceptsof 'q#+ PET(potentialevapotranspiration),cropandturfcoefficients,andstressfactors.Four(4)large |(D$, lysimeterswillbedevotedtocrops,eight(9)mediumlysimetersforturfandgroundcovers,and O)%- 18smalllysimetersforlandscapeplants. "*%.  XE.` hp x (#X(#E23  +'0  23 2 328888 3  Facilities  8  XE.` hp x (#X(#EHydraulicsLab,testingbuildingsandoutdoortestfacilities.  Computersystemfordatastorage,manipulation,graphics,GISbasedapplication,andtraining, y regionalirrigationanalysis. L ETCenterwithlysimeters,PETRegionalNetworks. W Truescale,operatingirrigationsystems,representingallmajortechnologies,coveringabout400 *  acres;modellandscapedemonstrationareas.   Classrooms,laboratories,officespace,workshops,warehouse,vehicles,maintenanceequipment.   Mobilelabs/testingequipment.  k  Interactivevisitorscenter(futuredevelopment) v >   XE.` hp x (#X(#E OrganizationalStructure    ITCwillbeassociatedwiththeAgriculturalProgramoftheTexasA&MUniversitySystem,withthe   organizationalstructuretobedecidedinconsultationwithcontributingparties.ItisimportantforITCto ]  betiedtoamajoruniversityduetotheeducation,trainingandappliedresearchmissions,toprovide h0  credibilityforthetestingandcertificationprograms,andtoensurethatallprogramsmeetthehighest ; scientificandeducationalstandards.  Onesuggestedorganizationalstructureistohaveanoversightcommitteecomposedoforganizationsand | publicagencieswhichhaveamajorstakeinITC,andatechnicaladvisorycommitteeconsistingof O irrigationexpertsfromthepublicandprivatesector. Z"  CostsandFinancing   ThecostsofequippingITCisestimatedat$4.9million,excludingbuildings,land,andsitespecific n infrastructure.Wearenowseekingfundingtocompletethenextstepintheprocesswhichwillleadto yA theestablishmentofanIrrigationTechnologyCenterinTexas:theDevelopmentPlan.TheEngineering L Planwillcost$464,000andinclude:    E.` ` hp x (#X(#Ea) ` siteevaluationandselection,  b) ` designofinfrastructure,buildingsandfacilities, `  c) ` detailedcostsofconstructionandoperation, k3! d) ` constructionandimplementationschedule, > " e) ` financingplan,and !# f) ` detailedeconomicimpactassessment. !$   E.` hp x (#` X(#EPublicfundingandprivatedonationswillbesoughttoconstructandoperateITC.Afinancingplanwill #R& bedevelopedinconsultationwiththeoversightcommitteeandmajorstakeholders.Weproposeto ]$% ' establishanendowmenttoprovideforthelongtermsupportofITC.Fundingoftheendowmentwillbe 0% ( throughdonationsandrevenuesgeneratedbyITC.Educationalprogramswillbeselfsupportedbyfees. &!) Anyprofitfromtheeducationprogramswillgointotheendowment,aswellasthatgeneratedfrom &"* certificationandtestingservicesforequipmentmanufacturers. 'q#+ ItisimportantthatITCnothavetodependonrevenuefromservicesprovidedtoindustrytocover O)%- operatingexpenses.Financialdependenceonindustrycouldpotentiallycompromisetheindependence "*%. andintegrityofITC,andinterferewiththecertificationprogramanddevelopmentofindustrywide *&/ designandperformancestandards. +'0 %&j