(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:
(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)
