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The Irrigation Technology Center

The Irrigation Technology Center. Guy Fipps Professor and Extension Agricultural Engineer Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering Texas A&M University College Station. Vision. 65%. Agriculture irrigation uses 65% of the total freshwater consumed annually in Texas….

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The Irrigation Technology Center

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  1. The Irrigation TechnologyCenter Guy FippsProfessor and Extension Agricultural Engineer Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering Texas A&M University College Station Vision

  2. 65% Agriculture irrigation uses 65% of the total freshwater consumed annually in Texas… annually

  3. 40% 20%- • ...and landscape irrigation • accounts for 20-40% of all • municipal freshwater consumed annually... consumed

  4. Population and Water Demand

  5. Total Water Supply and Demand

  6. Water Resources Population

  7. Agricultural and landscape irrigation industries are largely unregulated

  8. 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

  9. How do we achieve real water savings in irrigation?

  10. BASIC QUESTIONS • technology • technology management • water management

  11. BASIC QUESTIONS • technology: which technology is the most efficient for the specific site and environmental conditions? • technology management: • water management:

  12. 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:

  13. 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?

  14. Water Resources Population Solutions?

  15. ...intelligent and enlightened approaches to address the complex issues of urban and agricultural irrigation…

  16. The Irrigation Technology Center and the Water Technology and Conservation Laboratory Concept and Vision

  17. … a world class, state of the art facility that will promote efficient irrigation and water conservation...

  18. Achieving water conservation through ... Education Testing Applied Research

  19. ITC Mission Design/performance standards Testing and Certification Education and Training New Technologies/methods

  20. Major Divisions of ITC Urban Programs Division Agriculture Programs Division Testing and Certification Division Water Reuse Division International Division

  21. URBAN PROGRAMS DIVISION residential-scale and commercial landscape irrigation systems automated and manually controlled drip, sprinkler and microspray irrigation of different plant materials model landscape areas

  22. 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

  23. 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

  24. INTERNATIONAL DIVISION self-funded source of significant funding for ITC enhance ITC’s reputation enhance view of San Antonio as a world city

  25. Testing & Certification Services

  26. 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

  27. Design & Performance Standards

  28. Design and Performance Standards achievable efficiency full-size systems real-world operating conditions

  29. Training Training and Educational Services

  30. Training and Education Services short courses, conferences, workshops publications, software and internet resources field days, walking tours interactive visitors’ center (future development)

  31. Evaluate Evapotranspiration (ET) Determination

  32. 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

  33. Research INFORMATION SERVICES

  34. 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

  35. Facilities

  36. Organizational Structure

  37. 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

  38. The need for the ITC is now. Quite simply, Water is too important.

  39. Return to the ITC Home Page

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