For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall
apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different
meaning. Terms not defined shall be construed in accordance with customary
language.
AIR GAP.
A complete physical separation between the free flowing discharge
end of a potable water supply pipeline and an open or nonpressure
receiving vessel.
ATMOSPHERIC VACUUM BREAKER.
An assembly containing an air inlet valve, a check seat,
and an air inlet port. The flow of water into the body causes the
air inlet valve to close the air inlet port. When the flow of water
stops the air inlet valve falls and forms a check against backsiphonage.
At the same time it opens the air inlet port allowing air to enter
and satisfy the vacuum. Also known as an Atmospheric Vacuum Breaker
Backsiphonage Prevention Assembly.
BACKFLOW PREVENTION.
The mechanical prevention of reverse flow, or backsiphonage,
of nonpotable water from an Irrigation System into the potable water
source.
BACKFLOW PREVENTION ASSEMBLY.
Any assembly used to prevent backflow into a potable water
system. The type of assembly used is based on the existing or potential
degree of health hazard and backflow condition.
BACK PRESSURE.
Any pressure, regardless of its source, against the outlet
side of the Backflow Prevention device that exceeds the supply pressure
against the inlet side of the device.
COMMISSION.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
CONSULTING.
The act of providing advice, guidance, review or recommendation
related to landscape irrigation systems.
CROSS-CONNECTION.
An actual or potential connection between a potable water
source and an irrigation system that may contain contaminates or pollutants
or any source of water that has been treated to a lesser degree in
the treatment process.
DIRECT SUPERVISION.
The on-the-job oversight and direction of a Person performing
irrigation work by a licensed Irrigator or licensed Installer who
is fulfilling his or her responsibility to the client and employer
by ensuring that the irrigation materials for the job are properly
prepared prior to assembly according to the material manufacturer’s
recommendations and the requirements of the Texas Commission on Environmental
Quality and that the plumbing work for the job is properly installed
to protect health and safety by meeting the requirements of the adopted
plumbing code and all requirements of local ordinances and state regulations
and laws.
DESIGN.
The act of determining the various elements of a landscape
irrigation system that will include, but not be limited to, elements
such as collecting site specific information, defining the scope of
the project, defining plant watering needs, selecting and laying out
emission devices, locating system components, conducting hydraulics
calculations, identifying any local regulatory requirements, or scheduling
irrigation work at a site. Completion of the various components will
result in an irrigation plan.
DESIGN PRESSURE.
The pressure that is required for an emission device to operate
properly. Design pressure is calculated by adding the operating pressure
necessary at an emission device to the total of all pressure losses
accumulated from an emission device to the water source.
DOUBLE CHECK VALVE.
An assembly that is composed of two independently acting,
approved check valves, including tightly closed resilient seated shutoff
valves attached at each end of the assembly and fitted with properly
located resilient seated test cocks. Also known as a Double Check
Valve Backflow Prevention Assembly.
EMISSION DEVICE.
Any device that is contained within an irrigation system
and that is used to apply water. Common emission devices in an irrigation
system include, but are not limited to, spray and rotary sprinkler
heads, and drip irrigation emitters.
EMPLOYED.
Engaged or hired to provide consulting services or perform
any activity related to the sale, design, installation, maintenance,
alteration, repair, or service to irrigation systems. A person is
employed if that person is in an employer-employee relationship as
defined by Internal Revenue Code, 26 United States Code Service, §3212(d)
based on the behavioral control, financial control, and the type of
relationship involved in performing employment related tasks.
HEAD-TO-HEAD SPACING.
The spacing of spray or rotary heads equal to the manufacturer’s
published radius of the head.
HEALTH HAZARD.
A cross-connection or potential cross-connection with an
irrigation system that involves any substance that may, if introduced
into the potable water supply, cause death or illness, spread disease,
or have a high probability of causing such effects.
HYDRAULICS.
The science of dynamic and static water; the mathematical
computation of determining pressure losses and pressure requirements
of an irrigation system.
INSPECTOR.
A licensed plumbing inspector, water district operator, other
governmental entity, or irrigation inspector who inspects irrigation
systems and performs other enforcement duties for a municipality or
water district as an employee or as a contractor.
INSTALLER.
A person who actually connects an Irrigation System to a private or public raw or potable water supply system or any water supply, who is licensed according to 30 Texas Administrative Code Chapter
30 (relating to Occupational Licenses and Registrations).
IRRIGATION INSPECTOR.
A person who inspects irrigation systems and performs other enforcement for a municipality or water district as an employee or as a contractor and is required to be licensed under Title 30, Texas Administrative Code, Chapter
30 (relating to Occupational Licenses and Registrations).
IRRIGATION PLAN.
A scaled drawing of a landscape irrigation system which lists
required information, the scope of the project, and represents the
changes made in the installation of the irrigation system.
IRRIGATION SERVICES.
Selling, designing, installing, maintaining, altering, repairing,
servicing, permitting, providing consulting services regarding, or
connecting an irrigation system to a water supply.
IRRIGATION SYSTEM.
An assembly of component parts permanently installed with
and for the controlled distribution and conservation of water for
the purpose of irrigating any type of landscape vegetation in any
location or for the purpose of dust reduction or erosion control.
The term does not include a system used on or by an agricultural operation
as defined by Texas Agriculture Code § 251.002.
IRRIGATION TECHNICIAN.
A person who works under the direct supervision of a licensed irrigator to install, maintain, alter, repair, service or supervise installation of an irrigation system, including the connection of such system in or to a private or public, raw or potable water supply system or any water supply, and who is required to be licensed under Title 30, Texas Administrative Code, Chapter
30 (relating to Occupational Licenses and Registrations).
IRRIGATION ZONE.
A subdivision of an irrigation system with a matched precipitation
rate based on plant material type (such as turf, shrubs, or trees),
microclimate factors (such as sun/shade ratio), topographic features
(such as slope) and soil conditions (such as sand, loam, clay, or
combination) or for hydrological control.
IRRIGATOR.
A person who sells, designs, consults, installs, maintains,
alters, repairs, or services an Irrigation System including the connection
of such system in and to a private or public, raw or potable water
supply system or any water supply, and who is licensed according to
30 TEXAS ADMINISTRATIVE CODE CHAPTER 30.
IRRIGATOR-IN-CHARGE.
The irrigator responsible for all irrigation work performed
by an exempt business owner, including, but not limited to obtaining
permits, developing design plans, supervising the work of other irrigators
or irrigation technicians, and installing, maintaining, altering,
repairing, or servicing a landscape irrigation system.
LANDSCAPE IRRIGATION.
The science of applying the necessary amount of water to
promote or sustain growth of plant material or turf.
LICENSE.
An occupational license that is issued by the Commission under Title 30, Texas Administrative Code, Chapter
30 to an individual that authorizes the individual to engage in an activity that is covered by Title 30, Texas Administrative Code, Chapter
30.
MAINLINE.
A pipe within an irrigation system that delivers water from
the water source to the individual zone valves.
MAINTENANCE CHECKLIST.
A document made available to the irrigation system’s
owner or owner’s representative that contains information regarding
the operation and maintenance of the irrigation system, including,
but not limited to: checking and repairing the irrigation system,
setting the automatic controller, checking the rain or moisture sensor,
cleaning filters, pruning plants or grass away from the irrigation
emitters, using and operating the irrigation system, the precipitation
rates of each irrigation zone within the system, any water conservation
measures currently in effect from the water purveyor, the name of
the water purveyor, a suggested seasonal or monthly watering schedule
based on current evapotranspiration data for the geographic region,
and the minimum water requirements for the plant material in each
zone based on the soil type and plant material where the system is
installed.
MAJOR MAINTENANCE, ALTERATION, REPAIR, OR SERVICE.
Any activity that involves opening to the atmosphere the
irrigation mainline at any point prior to the discharge side of any
irrigation zone control valve. This includes, but is not limited to,
repairing or connecting into a main supply pipe, replacing a zone
control valve, or replacing a zone control valve, or repairing a zone
control valve in a manner that opens the system to the atmosphere.
MASTER VALVE.
A remote control valve located after the backflow prevention
device that controls the flow of water to the irrigation system mainline.
NEW INSTALLATION.
An irrigation system installed at a location where one did
not previously exist.
NONTOXIC SUBSTANCE.
Any substance, solid, liquid, or gaseous, which may make
the water aesthetically unacceptable but, if ingested, will not cause
illness or death and is not considered a health hazard.
PASS-THROUGH CONTRACT.
A written contract between a contractor or builder and a
licensed irrigator or exempt business owner to perform part or all
of the irrigation services relating to an irrigation system.
PRESSURE VACUUM BREAKER.
An assembly containing an independently operating internally
loaded check valve and an independently operating loaded air inlet
valve located on the discharge side of the check valve. Also known
as a Pressure Vacuum Breaker Backsiphonage Prevention Assembly.
RECLAIMED WATER.
Domestic or municipal wastewater which has treated to a quality
suitable for beneficial use, such as landscape irrigation.
RECORDS OF LANDSCAPE IRRIGATION ACTIVITIES.
The irrigation plans, contracts, warranty information, invoices,
copies of permits, and other documents that relate to the installation,
maintenance, alteration, repair, or service of a landscape irrigation
system.
REDUCED PRESSURE PRINCIPLE BACKFLOW PREVENTION ASSEMBLY.
An assembly containing two independently acting approved
check valves together with a hydraulically operating mechanically
independent pressure differential relief valves located between the
two check valves and below the first check valve.
SUPERVISION.
The on-the-job oversight and direction by a licensed irrigator
who is fulfilling his or her professional responsibility to the client
and/or employer in compliance with local or state requirements. Also
a licensed installer working under the direction of a licensed irrigator
or beginning January 1, 2009, an irrigation technician who is working
under the direction of a licensed irrigator to install, maintain,
alter, repair, or service an irrigation system.
TOXIC SUBTANCE.
Any substance, solid, liquid, or gaseous, which when introduced
into the water supply system creates, or may create, a danger to the
health and well-being of the consumer.
WATER CONSERVATION.
The design and installation of an Irrigation System which
prevents the waste of water, promotes the most efficient use of water
and applies the least amount of water required to maintain healthy
individual plant material or turf.
(Ordinance 819-06-02-28, passed 2-28-06; Ordinance 985-08-12-16, passed 12-16-08)
(A) The
purpose of this chapter is to promote and protect the public health,
safety and welfare by regulating the installation and continued operation
of Irrigation Systems.
(B) The
city intends to ensure that irrigation and Irrigation Systems will
not contribute to the decline of residential and business neighborhoods.
(Ordinance 819-06-02-28, passed 2-28-06; Ordinance 985-08-12-16, passed 12-16-08)
Unless otherwise indicated, this chapter applies to the area
within the limits of the City of Pflugerville and in the city’s
extraterritorial jurisdiction.
(Ordinance 819-06-02-28, passed 2-28-06; Ordinance 985-08-12-16, passed 12-16-08)