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Vision Guy Fipps Professor and Extension Agricultural Engineer Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering Texas A&M University College Station The Irrigation Center
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65% annually Agriculture irrigation uses 65% of the total freshwater consumed annually in Texas…
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consumed...and landscape irrigation accounts for 20-40% of all municipal freshwater consumed annually... 40% 20%-
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Population and Water Demand
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Total Water Supply and Demand
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Population Water Resources
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Agricultural and landscape irrigation industries are largely unregulated
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OBSTACLES * no independent verification of manufacturer’s/dealer’s claims * no standard definition of efficiency *no performance standards exist for irrigation systems * most consumers lack background to evaluate proposed systems
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How do we achieve real water savings in irrigation?
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BASIC QUESTIONS technology technology management water management
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BASIC QUESTIONS technology: which technology is the most efficient for the specific site and environmental conditions? technology management: water management:
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BASIC QUESTIONS technology: which technology is the most efficient for the specific site and environmental conditions? technology management: how should different technologies be managed in order to achieve promised efficiencies? water management:
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BASIC QUESTIONS technology: which technology is the most efficient for the specific site and environmental conditions? technology management: how should different technologies be managed in order to achieve promised efficiencies? water management: what is the correct timing and amount of water needed for each application?
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PopulationPopulation Water Resources Solutions?
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...intelligent and enlightened approaches to address the complex issues of urban and agricultural irrigation… urban and agricultural irrigation…
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The Irrigation Center and the Water Technology and Conservation Laboratory Concept and Vision
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… a world class, state of the art facility that will promote efficient irrigation and water conservation... … a world class, state of the art facility that will promote efficient irrigation and water conservation...
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Achieving water conservation through... Education Testing Applied Research
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IC Mission Design/performance standards Testing and Certification Education and Training New Technologies/methods
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Major Divisions of IC Urban Programs Division Agriculture Programs Division Testing and Certification Division Water Reuse Division International Division
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URBAN PROGRAMS DIVISION r esidential-scale and commercial landscape irrigation systems automated and manually controlled drip, sprinkler and microspray irrigation of different plant materials model landscape areas
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AGRICULTURAL PROGRAMS DIVISION True scale, operating systems of all major technologies: sprinkler – pivots, linear move, solid set furrow - conventional, gated pipe, surge flow, ARFIS drip – drip tape, tubing, micro sprays
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WATER REUSE DIVISION Conduct training and applied research on the special nature of wastewater - water quality issues - plant response - system design requirements - corrosion - environmental quality - management practices
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INTERNATIONAL DIVISION self-funded source of significant funding for IC enhance IC’s reputation enhance view of San Antonio as a world city
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Services Testing & Certification
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Testing and Certification 4 indoor testing labs and outdoor testing facilities allow for testing/certification of irrigation components - flow meters - backflow valves - pumps - application devices
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Standards Design & Performance
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Design and Performance Standards achievable efficiency full-size systems real-world operating conditions
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Training Training and Educational Services
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Training and Education Services short courses, conferences, workshops publications, software and internet resources field days, walking tours interactive visitors’ center (future development)
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Evaluate Evapotranspiration (ET) Determination
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ET Services 31 weighing lysimeters of various sizes determine exact water requirements of - turf - ground covers - landscape plants - crops possible support for regional PET networks and reporting services
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Research INFORMATION SERVICES
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Research and Information Systems Evaluation of emerging technologies Applied research and development of improved technologies and methods Water reuse issues, management GIS for irrigation applications and regional water planning/budgeting Internet and interactive information and education products
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ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE A Center of the Texas Water Resources Institute, Texas A&M University System, jointly administrated through the Texas Cooperative Extension and Texas Agricultural Experiment Station Steering committee of major stake holders Technical advisory committee
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The need for the IC is now. Quite simply, Water is too important.
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