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LCN August 2007 Inside Irrigation08-28-07 | News



Program Will Set Federal Controller Standards

By Erik Skindrud, regional editor

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Smart irrigation controllers factor in soil type, exposure, slope, plant material and daily weather forecasts to adjust watering times based on evaporation rates. Many municipalities and water agencies are offering contractors and/or property owners rebates for installing approved units.


Participants from irrigation companies, water agencies and universities met on April 19 in Tampa, Fla. to discuss standards for the Environmental Protection Agency?EUR??,,????'?????<

The 83 participants at the April meeting traded ideas and questions about program particulars. It?EUR??,,????'?????<

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The goal, Tanner said, is to have the programs draft certification scheme formulated by the end of the year. Once released on the EPA?EUR??,,????'?????<

That timetable isn?EUR??,,????'?????<

While the WaterSense label won?EUR??,,????'?????<

And the EPA has already approved the WaterSense label for the IA?EUR??,,????'?????<

Learn more about the programs at www.epa.gov/watersense and www.irrigation.org/SWAT/Industry/ia-tested.asp






Ed Norum of the Center for Irrigation Technology sets up a test at California State University, Fresno. The EPA?EUR??,,????'?????<


IA Program Tests Controllers

The Irrigation Association sponsors an existing independent, third-party test for ?EUR??,,????'?????<

Each product evaluation is conducted by creating a six-zone virtual landscape subjected to real-time climate through monitoring of a selected weather station to evaluate the ability of individual ?EUR??,,????'?????<

After initial programming and calibration, the controller is expected to perform without further intervention during the test period. Performance results indicate to what degree the controller maintained root zone moistures within an acceptable range:

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Get Certified With WaterSense

EPA WaterSense labels won?EUR??,,????'?????<

Certified contractors can display a special WaterSense partner label on ads and business cards.

The following certificates carry the label. Individuals certified in these programs and in good standing are eligible to apply to WaterSense as a partner. Good standing indicates that the individual has earned and submitted 10 Continuing Education Units along with a renewal fee by the renewal date on an annual basis.

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For CLIA or CGIA certification earned before April 1, 2007: You will be eligible for partnership upon renewal for 2008.
?EUR??,,????'?????<www.epa.gov/watersense/partners/eligibility.htm.
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For CLIA or CGIA certification earned after April 1, 2007:
?EUR??,,????'?????<www.epa.gov/watersense/partners/eligibility.htm.
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28th International Irrigation Show

Learn more about smart irrigation and WaterSense certification at this year?EUR??,,????'?????< Show Dates: Dec. 9-11
Certification & Education: Dec 6-11
Location: San Diego Convention Center
More Info: www.irrigation.org

Contractors are Key Component

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WaterSense for Contractors

1. Become a certified ?EUR??,,????'?????<

2. Learn about ?EUR??,,????'?????<

3. Promote the benefits of ?EUR??,,????'?????<

Irrigation Insights

30: Percent, the decrease on water consumption at two sites in Portland, Ore. after the installation of two weather-based irrigation controllers.

17: The number of Portland homes that could be served for one year if the one million saved gallons of water was allotted to them.

Source: Portland Water Bureau


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