Transcript PowerPoint - Texas A&M University

Guy Fipps Professor and Extension Agricultural Engineer
Department of Biological and
Agricultural Engineering
Texas A&M University
College Station
The Irrigation Technology
Center
Vision
Agriculture irrigation uses
65% of the total freshwater
consumed annually in Texas…
annually
20%-
...and landscape irrigation
accounts for 20-40% of all
municipal freshwater
consumed annually...
consumed
Population and Water Demand
12
40
35
million ac-ft
30
8
25
6
20
15
4
10
2
5
0
0
1990 2000 2010 2020 2030 2040 2050
Municipal
Commercial
Agriculture
Population
population in millions
10
Total Water Supply and Demand
25
21.0
20
16.5
Million 15
Ac-ft
10
15.5
14.9
Total Supply
Total Demand
5
0
1994
Year
2050
Population
Water
Resources
Agricultural and landscape
irrigation industries are
largely unregulated
OBSTACLES
*
*
*
*
no independent verification of
manufacturer’s/dealer’s claims
no standard definition of efficiency
no performance standards exist for
irrigation systems
most consumers lack background to
evaluate proposed systems
How do we achieve real
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?
Population
Water
Resources
Solutions?
...intelligent and
enlightened approaches to
address the complex
issues of
urban and agricultural
irrigation…
The Irrigation Technology
Center
and the Water Technology and
Conservation Laboratory
Concept and Vision
… a world class, state of
the art facility that will
promote efficient
irrigation and water
conservation...
Achieving water conservation
through ...
Education
Testing
Applied Research
ITC Mission
Design/performance
standards
Testing and Certification
Education and Training
New Technologies/methods
Major Divisions of ITC
Urban Programs Division
Agriculture Programs Division
Testing and Certification Division
Water Reuse Division
International 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
ITC
enhance ITC’s reputation
enhance view of San Antonio
as a world city
Testing & Certification
Services
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
Design & Performance
Standards
Design and Performance
Standards
achievable efficiency
• full-size systems
• real-world operating
conditions
•
Training and Educational
Services
Training
Training and Education
Services
short courses, conferences, workshops
• publications, software and internet
resources
• field days, walking tours
• interactive visitors’ center
(future development)
•
Evapotranspiration (ET)
Determination
Evaluate
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
Facilities
Organizational
Structure
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 ITC is
now. Quite simply, Water is
too important.
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