Post on 18-Dec-2015
Vision
Guy FippsGuy Fipps Professor and Extension Agricultural EngineerProfessor and Extension Agricultural Engineer
Department of Biological and Department of Biological and
Agricultural EngineeringAgricultural Engineering
Texas A&M UniversityTexas A&M University
College StationCollege Station
The Irrigation CenterThe Irrigation Center
65% annually
Agriculture irrigation uses Agriculture irrigation uses 65% of the total freshwater 65% of the total freshwater
consumed annually in Texas…consumed annually in Texas…
consumed
...and landscape irrigation ...and landscape irrigation
accounts for accounts for 20-40%20-40% of all of all
municipal freshwater municipal freshwater
consumed annuallyconsumed annually......
40%20%-
Population and Water Demand
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
1990 2000 2010 2020 2030 2040 2050
mil
lio
n a
c-ft
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
po
pu
lati
on
in
mil
lio
ns
Municipal Commercial Agriculture Population
Total Water Supply and Demand
19942050
16.515.5
14.9
21.0
0
5
10
15
20
25
Million Ac-ft
Year
Total Supply
Total Demand
PopulationPopulation
Water ResourcesWater Resources
Agricultural and landscapeAgricultural and landscapeirrigation industries are irrigation industries are
largely unregulatedlargely unregulated
OBSTACLESOBSTACLES
** no independent verification of no independent verification of manufacturer’s/dealer’s claimsmanufacturer’s/dealer’s claims
** no standard definition of efficiencyno standard definition of efficiency** no performance standards exist for no performance standards exist for
irrigation systemsirrigation systems** most consumers lack background to most consumers lack background to
evaluate proposed systemsevaluate proposed systems
How do we achieve real How do we achieve real water savings in irrigation?water savings in irrigation?
BASIC QUESTIONS
• technology
• technology management
• water management
BASIC QUESTIONS
• technology: which technology is the most efficient for the specific site and environmental conditions?
• technology management:
• water management:
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:
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?
PopulatioPopulationnPopulatioPopulationn
Water Water ResourcesResourcesWater Water ResourcesResources
Solutions?Solutions?
...intelligent and ...intelligent and enlightened approaches enlightened approaches to address the complex to address the complex
issues ofissues of urban and agricultural urban and agricultural
irrigation…irrigation…
The Irrigation Center and the Water Technology and
Conservation Laboratory
Concept and Vision
… … a world class, state of a world class, state of the art facility that will the art facility that will
promote efficient promote efficient irrigation and water irrigation and water
conservation...conservation...
Achieving water conservation Achieving water conservation through ...through ...Achieving water conservation Achieving water conservation through ...through ...
EducationEducation
TestingTesting
Applied ResearchApplied Research
IC MissionIC MissionIC MissionIC Mission
Design/performance Design/performance standardsstandards
Testing and CertificationTesting and Certification
Education and TrainingEducation and Training
New Technologies/methodsNew Technologies/methods
Major Divisions of ICMajor Divisions of IC
Urban Programs DivisionUrban Programs Division
Agriculture Programs DivisionAgriculture Programs Division
Testing and Certification DivisionTesting and Certification Division
Water Reuse DivisionWater Reuse Division
International DivisionInternational Division
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
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
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
INTERNATIONAL DIVISION
• self-funded• source of significant funding for
IC • enhance IC’s reputation• enhance view of San Antonio as a world city
ServicesTesting & CertificationTesting & Certification
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
Standards
Design & PerformanceDesign & Performance
Design and Performance Standards
• achievable efficiency• full-size systems • real-world operating conditions
TrainingTraining and Educational Training and Educational
ServicesServices
Training and Education Services
• short courses, conferences, workshops• publications, software and internet
resources • field days, walking tours• interactive visitors’ center
(future development)
EvaluateEvapotranspiration (ET) Evapotranspiration (ET)
DeterminationDetermination
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
Research
INFORMATION SERVICES
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
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
The need for the IC is now. The need for the IC is now. Quite simply, Water is too Quite simply, Water is too
important.important.