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Welcome to H2O Weekly
Issue
# 008
H2O
Weekly is an on-line publication that announces publications,
policies, and activities about the world’s water on a
weekly basis. A full article is followed by other brief headings
are followed by links that will take you to the complete article
you are interested in.
Created &
Published by Lorne Haveruk C.I.D.,
C.I.C., C.L.I.A
Visit our
new website at http://www.DHWatermgmt.com/
for additional articles, product, educational offerings
and more.
Weekly
Water Events & Resources
1.
EPA - Water Efficiency: Now is the Time (by Lorne
Haveruk)
2. BMP’s for Non- Agricultural irrigation
3. California Water News
– May 10, 2006
4. Josh Madison Software Converts – imperial to metric and more
for free!
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________________________________________________________
1. EPA - Water Efficiency: Now is the Time
EPA
 Water
Efficiency:
Now is the Time
By Lorne
Haveruk, CID, CIC, CLIA, WCP
DH Water Management Services Inc.
EPA Stakeholder Meeting, Goal and Program
Outline
On May 4th,
2006 a meeting took place that should open the flood gates to
professionalizing the irrigation industry once and for all.
Why? Because it is a first to have Government recognize and
assist with irrigation water efficiency for irrigators and to
promote professionalism through certification recognition on
a nation wide level. EPA documents handed out at the meeting
state that “This new voluntary Water Efficiency Program
seeks to protect the future of our nation’s water supply
by promoting water efficiency and enhancing the market for water-efficient
products and services. By building a brand for water efficiency,
a symbol that represents the importance of protecting water
resources in the United
States.” I would like to add that
this highly recognized government agency puts the focus on the
protection and efficient use of water worldwide.
(Photo of Denver’s modern airport representing local mountains.)
EPA documents go on to
say that ‘they will also reach out to home builders, schools,
landscaping professionals and others to promote water efficiency.
Product certification, together with broad education/outreach
campaigns and partnerships with key stakeholders, will transform
the marketplace and make water-efficiency products the clear
and preferred choice among consumers and organizations. Other
program sponsors will include local, state and federal governments;
businesses; contractors; and trade associations committed to
conserving water.”
The meeting took place
at EPA’s Region 8 Headquarters in Denver,
CO. Manufacturers’, associations,
private companies, consultants, and EPA Staff and their consultants
were all in attendance. The purpose of the meeting was a long
awaited discussion with stakeholders regarding the “draft
criteria for recognition of certification programs for irrigation
professionals”.
EPA - Three Categories for Recognition
The three categories for
EPA recognition for Certification Programs are;
1.
Irrigation Auditor
2.
Irrigation Installation and Maintenance Professional
3.
Irrigation Designer
(Photo of Jane Anderson,
Environmental Engineer Water Efficiency Team moderated the meeting.
Tim Malooly of Irrigation by Design, Minnesota
and Andy Smith, Irrigation Association State Relations Coordinator
deep in discussion.
The certification programs EPA is looking at
are only the starting point. With the help of EPA and the wide
range marketing power of the program combined with the EPA name
– this is a momentous occasion for all of us who have
worked so hard to promote efficient irrigation as well as the
efficient use of water, longer than 16 years, which now seems
like a lifetime. Finally we get a break! Now, all we need
to do is make the most of this well deserved opportunity.
The three categories for certification recognition
are outline by the EPA Water Efficiency Team as:
S
Irrigation Auditor: Applies to programs that
certify irrigation professionals who assess the proper functioning
of existing irrigation systems, perform water audits, and recommend
watering schedules.
S
Irrigation Installation and Maintenance Professionals:
Applies to programs that certify irrigation professionals who
install new irrigation systems and /or repair and maintain existing
irrigation systems.
S
Irrigation Designer: Applies to programs that
certify irrigation professionals who develop the design of new
irrigation systems and/or modifications to existing irrigation
systems.
So what concerns did the stakeholder group bring
to the table? Overall, the program is applauded for its progressive
approach to recognition of established certification program
training and certification examination already established.
We do not have to reinvent the wheel. As well, the documents
have not closed the door on others involved in delivering education
to irrigation students across the nation as long as they can
meet the guidelines EPA has laid out in the draft documentation.
Written comments about the proposed program will be accepted
by email sent to irrigation@epa.gov until May 26, 2006.
(Photo –
Gene Regan past State of Texas Irrigation Executive Director,
highlights continuing education concerns)
Topics
of Discussion
The topic of continuing education units (CEU’s)
tabled by Andy Smith, who requested Gene Regan to address problems
and concerns the Texas Irrigators have experienced was discussed.
We spent the rest of the afternoon meticulously going through
each point of each certification draft proposal to determine
if they will meet the requirements of the irrigation industry.
(Photo- Warren
Gorowitz, Ewing Irrigation, discusses distributor concerns.
Pictured to left Karen Moore, IA Board Member, right of Warren
is Steve Smith, Aqua Engineering & IA Executive Board Member,
Brent Meacham, North Colorado Water Conservancy, Art, Netafim.)
Each one of the three “Draft Criteria for
the Qualification of Certification Programs for Irrigation System
Auditors, Installation and Maintenance Professionals, and Irrigation
System Designers” covers sections 1 to 3 with sections
headings of:
S
Scope and Objective
S
Qualification Criteria
S
Independent Oversight Committee
S
Experiential Retirement
S
Exam Requirement
S
Exam Content
S
Exam Passing Score
S
Quality Assurance/Quality Control
S
Renewal Process
S
Expiration
S
Maintained Proficiency
S
Application for Qualification
S
Documentation of the Certification Process
S
And a few other areas for concern.
( Photo -Tom Kimmell IA Executive Director discusses content)
Most time was spent around Exam Content as this
bulleted section highlighted what each certification was expected
to accomplish. Bulleted points were challenged with a few
removed and more added. Length of time for renewal was shortened
from two years to one. The designer section had construction
documents (specifications) added to the Scope and Objective
description to make it more encompassing. Bulleted points like
grading and draining under design were changed to slope and
runoff. Water budget was also added to design examination
content. Auditor training bullets had knowledge of system components
added as it was felt by all that an auditor needs to know irrigation
equipment to do a good job of auditing.
The group was well organized and focused at the
task at hand so a lot was accomplished in a very short meeting.
What does this mean to me and you that work in the irrigation
industry? Those who have been working at becoming a professional
or those of us who are professionals in our field of expertise
will be given a nation wide push promoting what we do to the
end user why they should go the professional route rather than
the trunk slammer route. For all of you who I have pestered
over many years to become certified – guess what? It’s
now our time to take the stage.
Credit:
Lorne Haveruk, CID, CIC, CLIA, WCP, a certified irrigation designer,
certified auditor, certified contractor and a water efficiency
consultant principal of DH Water Management Services Inc., a
water management, training, business startup and specialized
product consulting firm. They specializes in teaching others
the fundamentals of irrigation, designing water efficient systems,
and facilitating central control system implementation for clients
throughout North America and Europe. To view more of our product,
forms, articles and training opportunities go to www.DHWatermgmt.com. Contact the author
directly at lorne1@DHWatermgmt.com
2. Michigan State University
Turfgrass Water Resource Links
- Non-Ag Irrigation BMP’s:
In October of 2004 the Non-Ag Irrigators sub-committee
was formed to create Non-Ag Irrigation Best Management Practices.
If you would like an electronic version of the completed document
select the link below.
http://www.turf.msu.edu/water.htm
3.
BC’s
California Water News:
The
water dispute that has dragged on for more than 70 years between
the Soboba Band of Luiseńo Indians and several
local water agencies has finally been resolved. The tribe will
not be building a casino near Diamond Valley Lake.
On the water quality front, the nuclear industry announced
plans to more closely monitor releases of radioactive water
into groundwater from power plants. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has established a task force
to look into releases containing tritium, and The Nuclear Energy
Institute is beginning a program to improve detection of leaks
and to improve communications with state and federal officials.
Plus,
please check out the wastewater art gallery from professional
photographer Paul Cockrell. http://www.bcwaternews.com/ca/CAnews-95.html
4. Joshmadison.com software to convert units from one
type to another.
http://joshmadison.net/software/
________________________________________________________
Thanks
for reading! Be sure to check our new website. Comments appreciated
always.
Lorne Haveruk C.I.D., C.I.C., C.L.I.A
Editors, H20 News
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