TEXAS URBAN LANDSCAPE GUIDE
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Texas AgriLife Extension Service Texas Water Development Board Texas Nursery and Landscape Association Texas AgriLife Extension Service Texas AgriLife Extension Service
A supplement to the Best Management Practices Manual produced by the Texas Water Conservation Task Force.

Irrigation zoning

Irrigation zones can be designed to increase the uniformity of application. A properly licensed irrigation designer should be used to ensure that zones do not overlap, are based upon the capacity of the anticipated equipment, and take into account the landscape materials to be planted (i.e., do not place overhead sprinklers heads where planned for trees or shrubs will block their throw). Water conservation programs can help ensure these policies are followed by the rules for irrigation system approvals for new construction – using plumbing inspectors and/or back flow assembly inspectors to ensure that plans were designed by licensed irrigators; and enforcing these state requirements by fines, or refusing to approve systems until properly designed plans are filed with the plumbing inspector. The cost of such programs can be added as a small increment to existing plumbing inspection fees, if deemed necessary.

Proper choice of irrigation equipment is an essential part of good zoning. Drip and micro irrigation zones should be separated from overhead sprinkler zones, since less water is lost to evaporation. A “smart” water controller can be programmed for different run time for different zones. Minimum standards for irrigation controller features, such as the use of ET, variable run times, choice of different days for irrigation, can all be imposed by ordinance, or can be encouraged through incentives such as rebates.


IRRIGATION

Efficient Irrigation

Subsurface, drip - Micro Irrigation

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