(A) 
All licensed Irrigators and licensed Installers, or any Person(s) engaging in irrigation activities must comply with this chapter.
(B) 
Any provision not covered by this chapter shall be governed by the Texas Occupations Code, the Texas Water Code, Title 30 of the Texas Administrative Code, and any other applicable state statue of Texas Commission on Environmental Quality rule.
(Ordinance 819-06-02-28, passed 2-28-06; Ordinance 985-08-12-16, passed 12-16-08)
Any person installing an irrigation system within the territorial limits or extraterritorial jurisdiction of the city is required to obtain a permit from the city. Any plan approved for a permit must be in compliance with the requirements of this chapter.
(A) 
Exemptions.
(1) 
An irrigation system that is an on-site sewage disposal system, as defined by Section 355.002, Health and Safety Code;
(2) 
An irrigation system used on or by an agricultural operation as defined by Section 251.002, Agriculture Code; or
(3) 
An irrigation system connected to a groundwater well used by the property owner for domestic use.
(Ordinance 819-06-02-28, passed 2-28-06; Ordinance 985-08-12-16, passed 12-16-08)
All Irrigation Systems shall be designed, installed, maintained, repaired, serviced, and operated in a manner that will promote Water Conservation as defined in the Definitions section of this chapter.
(Ordinance 819-06-02-28, passed 2-28-06; Ordinance 985-08-12-16, passed 12-16-08)
All Irrigation Systems connected to a public or private potable water supply must be properly connected through a backflow prevention method approved by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). The backflow prevention device must be approved by the American Society of Sanitary Engineers; the Foundation for Cross-Connection Control and Hydraulic Research, University of Southern California; or any other laboratory that has equivalent capabilities for both laboratory and field evaluation of backflow prevention assemblies. The backflow prevention device must be installed in accordance with the laboratory approval standards or if the approval does not include specific installation information, the manufacturer’s current published recommendations.
(A) 
Atmospheric Vacuum Breakers.
Atmospheric vacuum breakers are designed to prevent only siphonage. Therefore, atmospheric vacuum breakers must not be used in any Irrigation Systems where back-pressure may occur. There cannot be any shutoff valves downstream from an atmospheric vacuum breaker. Where atmospheric vacuum breakers may be used, they must be installed at least six inches above any downstream piping and the highest downstream opening. In addition, continuous pressure on the supply of an atmospheric vacuum breaker is prohibited. Where atmospheric vacuum breakers are used in an Irrigation System, a separate atmospheric vacuum breaker must be installed in the discharge side of each water control valve, between the valve and all of the sprinkler heads that the valve controls.
(B) 
Pressure-type Vacuum Breakers.
Pressure-type vacuum breakers are designed to prevent backsiphonage and can operate under continuous pressure. Pressure vacuum breakers must be installed at least 12 inches above any downstream piping and the highest downstream opening. Pop-up sprinklers are measured from the retracted position from the top of the sprinkler.
(C) 
Double Check Valve Assembly Backflow Preventers.
Double check valve assembly backflow preventers are designed to prevent Back Pressure and backsiphonage of water not containing any Toxic Substance. They may be used where water supply pressure and Back Pressure on the Backflow Prevention device may continuously exist. If a double check valve assembly is installed below grade, there must remain adequate space for testing and repair for the device. Test cock plugs must be of non-ferrous material. Test cocks shall not be used as supply connections and must be plugged except when being tested. A y-type strainer must be installed on the inlet side of the double check valve.
(D) 
Reduced Pressure Principal Backflow Prevention Assemblies.
Reduced pressure principal assemblies are designed for water containing Toxic or Nontoxic Substances and for Back Pressure and backsiphonage. They must be installed 12 inches above grade in a location so as to insure that the device will not be submerged. In addition, adequate provisions must be made for any water which may be discharged through the assembly relief valve.
(E) 
Air Gap.
An air gap, when used must be installed with an unobstructed physical separation and the distance from the lowest point of the water supply outlet to the flood rim of the fixture or assembly into which the outlet discharges is at least one inch or twice the diameter of the water supply outlet, whichever is greater.
(Ordinance 819-06-02-28, passed 2-28-06; Ordinance 985-08-12-16, passed 12-16-08)
(A) 
An Irrigation System that does not have associated with it any type of injection devices and that is connected or capable of being connected only to a single source of water prevents a low potential for contamination of the water supply and is, therefore, considered to be a “low hazard” installation. Such an Irrigation System must be connected to the water supply through an industry-approved Backflow Prevention device, such as a double check valve assembly, air gap separation, reduced pressure principle assembly, pressure type vacuum breaker, or atmospheric vacuum breaker.
(B) 
An Irrigation System which adds any chemical is considered to be a “high health hazard.” Such an Irrigation System must not be connected to any potable water supply except through a reduced pressure principle Backflow Prevention assembly. The Backflow Prevention assembly must be tested upon installation and at least annually, thereafter, in accordance with 30 TEXAS ADMINISTRATIVE CODE § 290.44(h)(4).
(C) 
If an Irrigation System had more than one water supply source, with one or more supplies being potable water and the other supply or supplies being nonpotable water, the Irrigation System must be connected to each water supply only through an industry-approved “high health hazard” Backflow Prevention device. The device must be tested upon installation and, at least annually thereafter, in accordance with 30 TEXAS ADMINISTRATIVE CODE § 290.44(h)(4).
(D) 
If an existing irrigation system without a backflow-prevention assembly requires major maintenance, alteration, repair, or service, the system must be connected to the potable water supply through an approved, properly installed backflow prevention method before any major maintenance, alteration, repair, or service is performed.
(E) 
If an irrigation system is connected to the potable water supply through a double check valve, pressure vacuum breaker, or reduced pressure principle backflow assembly and includes an automatic master valve on the system, the automatic master valve must be installed on the discharge side of the backflow prevention assembly.
(F) 
The irrigator shall ensure the backflow prevention device is tested by a licensed Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester prior to being placed in service and the test results provided to the city and the irrigation system’s owner or owner’s representative within 10 business days of testing of the backflow prevention device.
(Ordinance 819-06-02-28, passed 2-28-06; Ordinance 985-08-12-16, passed 12-16-08)
An irrigator shall prepare an irrigation plan for each site where a new irrigation system will be installed. A paper or electronic copy of the irrigation plan must be submitted to the City for approval and kept on the job site at all times during the installation of the irrigation system. If changes are made during installation, an as-built drawing of the system must be provided to each irrigation system owner and submitted to the City after all new irrigation system installations.
(A) 
Deviations from approved plans.
During installation of the irrigation system, variances from the original plan may be authorized by the licensed irrigator if the variance from the plan does not:
(1) 
Diminish the operational integrity of the irrigation system;
(2) 
Violate any requirement of this chapter; or
(3) 
Go unnoted in red on the irrigation plan.
(B) 
Coverage.
The irrigation plan must include complete coverage of the area to be irrigated. If a system does not provide complete coverage of the area to be irrigated, it must be noted on the irrigation plan.
(C) 
Plan information requirements.
All irrigation plans used for construction must be drawn to scale. The plans must include, at a minimum, the following information:
(1) 
The irrigator’s seal, signature, and date of signing;
(2) 
All major physical features and the boundaries of the areas to be watered;
(3) 
A North arrow;
(4) 
A legend;
(5) 
The zone flow measurement for each zone;
(6) 
The location and type of each controller and sensor;
(7) 
The location, type, and size of each:
(a) 
Water source, such as, but not limited to a water meter and point(s) of connection;
(b) 
Backflow prevention device;
(c) 
Water emission device, including, but not limited to, spray heads, rotary sprinkler heads, quick couplers, bubblers, drip, or micro-sprays;
(d) 
Valves, including, but not limited to, zone valves, master valves, and isolation valves;
(e) 
Pressure regulation component; and
(f) 
Main line and lateral piping.
(8) 
The scale used; and
(9) 
The design pressure.
(Ordinance 819-06-02-28, passed 2-28-06; Ordinance 985-08-12-16, passed 12-16-08)
No irrigation design or installation shall require the use of any component, including the water meter, in a way which exceeds the manufacturer’s published performance limitations for the component.
(A) 
Spacing.
(1) 
The maximum spacing between emission devices must not exceed the manufacturer’s published radius or spacing of the device(s).
(2) 
New irrigation systems shall not utilize above-ground spray emission devices in landscapes that are less than 48 inches not including the impervious cover in either length or width and which contain impervious pedestrian or vehicular traffic surfaces along two or more perimeters. If pop-up sprays or rotary sprinkler heads are used in a new irrigation system, the sprinkler heads must direct flow away from any such adjacent surface and shall not be installed closer than four inches from a hardscape, such as, but not limited to, a building foundation, fence, concrete, asphalt, pavers, or stones set with mortar.
(3) 
Narrow paved walkways, jogging paths, golf cart paths or other small areas may be exempted from this requirement if the runoff drains into a landscaped area.
(B) 
Water Pressure.
Emission devices must be installed to operate at the minimum and not above the maximum sprinkler head pressure as published by the manufacturer for the nozzle and spacing that is used. Methods to achieve the water pressure requirements include, but are not limited to, flow control valves, a pressure regulator, or pressure compensating spray heads.
(C) 
Piping.
(1) 
Piping in irrigation systems must be designed and installed so that the flow of water in the pipe will not exceed a velocity of five feet per second for polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe.
(2) 
All new irrigation systems that are installed using PVC pipe and fittings shall be primed with a colored primer prior to applying the PVC cement in accordance with the International Plumbing Code (section 605).
(D) 
Irrigation Zones.
Irrigation systems shall have separate zones based on plant material type, microclimate factors, topographic features, soil conditions, and hydrological requirements.
(E) 
Matched Precipitation Rate.
Zones must be designed and installed so that all of the emission devices in that zone irrigate at the same precipitation rate.
(F) 
Depth Coverage of Piping.
Irrigation Systems using spray or rotary heads must be designed and/or installed according to the manufacturer recommended specifications for depth coverage of piping, unless one of the following circumstances is encountered.
(1) 
If the manufacturer has not published specifications for depth coverage of piping, the Irrigation System must be designed and/or installed to provide a minimum of six inches of coverage over piping. All portions of the irrigation system that fail to meet this standard must be noted on the irrigation plan. If the area being irrigated has rock at a depth of six inches or less, select backfill may be mounded over the pipe. Mounding must be noted on the irrigation plan and discussed with the irrigation system owner or owner’s representative to address any safety issues.
(2) 
If utilities, structures, or tree roots are encountered, the Irrigation System must be designed and/or installed to provide a minimum of two inches of coverage over piping.
(3) 
All trenches and holes created during installation of an irrigation system must be backfilled and compacted to the original grade.
(G) 
Wiring Irrigation Systems.
(1) 
The wiring used in an Irrigation System that connects section valves to controllers must be Underwriters Laboratories listed for direct underground burial.
(2) 
The wiring used in an Irrigation System that connects section valves to controllers must be sized according to the manufacturer’s recommendation.
(3) 
Direct burial wire splices used in an Irrigation System must be waterproof as per manufacturer recommendation.
(4) 
Underground electrical wiring that connects an automatic controller to any electrical component of the irrigation system must be buried with a minimum of six inches of select backfill.
(H) 
Rain or Moisture Shut-Off Devices or Other Technology.
All new automatically controlled irrigation systems must include sensors or other technology designed to inhibit or interrupt operation of the irrigation system during periods of moisture or rainfall. Rain or moisture shut-off technology must be installed according to the manufacturer’s published recommendations. Repairs to existing automatic irrigation systems that require replacement of an existing controller must include a sensor or other technology designed to inhibit or interrupt operation of the irrigation system during periods of moisture or rainfall.
(I) 
Master Valve.
When provided, a master valve shall be provided on the discharge side of the backflow prevention device on all new installations.
(J) 
Isolation Valve.
All new irrigation systems must include an isolation valve between the water meter and the tee off from the water service line.
(K) 
Prohibited Connections to Irrigation System.
Water contained within the piping of an irrigation system is deemed to be nonpotable. No drinking or domestic water usage, such as, but not limited to, filling swimming pools or decorative fountains, shall be connected to an irrigation system. If a hose bibb (an outdoor water faucet that has hose threads on the spout) is connected to an irrigation system for the purpose of providing supplemental water to an area, the hose bibb must be installed using a quick coupler key on a quick coupler installed in a covered purple valve box and the hose bibb and any hoses connected to the bibb must be labeled “nonpotable, not safe for drinking.” An isolation valve must be installed upstream of a quick coupler connecting a hose bibb to an irrigation system.
(L) 
Direct Supervision.
(1) 
An individual who performs the functions of an Installer by connecting an Irrigation System to any water supply, or represents that they can perform this function, must hold an installer license issued according to Title 30, Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 30. An Installer must work under the Direct Supervision of a licensed Irrigator and comply with the applicable provision of Title 30, Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 344 when performing this function.
(2) 
Beginning January 1, 2010, either a licensed irrigator or a licensed irrigation technician shall be on site at all times while the landscape irrigation system is being installed. When an irrigator is not on site, the irrigator shall be responsible for ensuring that a licensed irrigation technician is on site to supervise the installation of the irrigation system.
(Ordinance 819-06-02-28, passed 2-28-06; Ordinance 985-08-12-16, passed 12-16-08)
Upon completion of the irrigation system, the irrigator or irrigation technician who provided supervision for the on-site installation shall be required to complete the following:
(A) 
A final “walk through” with the irrigation system’s owner or the owner’s representative to explain the operation of the system;
(B) 
The Maintenance Checklist on which the irrigator or irrigator technician shall obtain the signature of the irrigation system’s owner or owner’s representative and shall sign, seal, and date the checklist. A copy of this checklist shall be submitted to the City along with the backflow device test report within ten days of the installation. If the irrigation system’s owner or owner’s representative is unwilling or unable to sign the maintenance checklist, the irrigator shall note the time and date of the refusal on the irrigation system’s owner or owner’s representative’s signature line. The irrigation system owner or owner’s representative will be given the original maintenance checklist and a duplicate copy of the maintenance checklist shall be maintained by the irrigator. The items on the maintenance checklist shall include, but are not limited to:
(1) 
The manufacturer’s manual for the automatic controller, if the system is automatic;
(2) 
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, and site factors;
(3) 
A list of components, such as the nozzle, or pump filters, and other such components that require maintenance and the recommended frequency for the service; and
(4) 
The statement: “This irrigation system has been installed in accordance with all applicable state and local laws, ordinances, rules, regulations or orders. I have tested the system and determined that it has been installed according to the Irrigation Plan and is properly adjusted for the most efficient application of water at this time.”
(C) 
A permanent sticker which contains the irrigator’s name, license number, company name, telephone number and the dates of the warranty period shall be affixed to each automatic controller installed by the irrigator or irrigator technician. If the irrigation system is manual, the sticker shall be affixed to the original maintenance checklist. The information contained on the sticker must be printed in waterproof ink.
(D) 
The irrigation plan indicating the actual installation of the system must be provided to the irrigation system’s owner or owner’s representative.
(Ordinance 819-06-02-28, passed 2-28-06; Ordinance 985-08-12-16, passed 12-16-08)
(A) 
The licensed irrigator is responsible for all work that the irrigator performed during the maintenance, alteration, repair, or service of an irrigation system during the warranty period. The irrigator or business owner is not responsible for the professional negligence of any other irrigator who subsequently conducts any irrigation service on the same irrigation system.
(B) 
All trenches and holes created during the maintenance, alteration, repair, or service of an irrigation system must be returned to the original grade with compacted select backfill.
(C) 
Colored PVC pipe primer solvent must be used on all pipes and fittings used in the maintenance, alteration, repair, or service of an irrigation system in accordance with the International Plumbing Code (Section 605).
(D) 
When maintenance, alteration, repair, or service of an irrigation system involves excavation work at the water meter or backflow prevention device, an isolation valve shall be installed, if an isolation valve is not present.
(Ordinance 819-06-02-28, passed 2-28-06; Ordinance 985-08-12-16, passed 12-16-08)