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.

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