- Paul Schattenberg, 210-859-5752, paschattenberg@ag.tamu.edu
- Contact: Charles Swanson, 979-845-5614, clswanson@ag.tamu.edu
- Mark Peterson, 210-852-9990, mark.peterson@saws.org
SAN ANTONIO – The Texas A&M School of Irrigation, in collaboration with the San Antonio Water System, will hold two day-long irrigation courses – one April 21 and another April 22 — in San Antonio, said program coordinators.
The Texas A&M School of Irrigation is a program of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the Irrigation Technology Program. It is administered through the biological and agricultural engineering department at Texas A&M University in College Station.
Both courses will be from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. at San Antonio Water System’s Customer Services Center, 2800 U.S. Highway 281 North in San Antonio. Instruction will be provided by Charles Swanson, AgriLife Extension program specialist in landscape irrigation, and Dr. Guy Fipps, AgriLife Extension irrigation engineer, both of College Station.
The April 21 Drip Irrigation Workshop will provide an overview of drip irrigation systems design and management, as well as a review of irrigation system hydraulics, Swanson said. It will cover types of drip irrigation products available and how to evaluate their performance characteristics and quality.
“This course will be useful for anyone responsible for designing or installing irrigation systems on urban landscapes, such as residential lawns, sports fields, parks, commercial properties and golf courses,” Swanson said.
He said instruction also will be provided on design and management considerations for different plant materials and soils, as well as filtration and clogging control.
“Attendees also will learn how to determine proper selection and spacing of drip tubing, tapes and point source emitters and how to select system components based on manufacturers product specifications,” he said. “Attendees should bring materials for taking notes, and they are also welcome to bring their laptop computers.”
Swanson said the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has approved the course for eight hours of continuing education credits for licensed irrigators, he said.
The fee for the April 21 course is $165. For more information and to register, go to the Texas A&M AgriLife Conference Services website at http://agrilifevents.tamu.edu.
The second course, Irrigation Water Management of Commercial Landscapes, will be April 22. Course content will address water supply issues in Texas, irrigation auditing and how to produce irrigation schedules that conserve water while promoting quality landscapes.
“Attendees will be introduced to irrigation auditing concepts and receive hands-on experience by testing an actual irrigation system,” Swanson said.
He said this course will be helpful for landscape contractors, licensed irrigators and managers of large irrigated turf areas, as well as anyone interested in landscape irrigation and water conservation.
“It also will benefit municipalities and city water utility personnel, particularly those interested in developing urban water conservation programs,” he said.
Swanson said the April 22 course has been approved for eight hours of Texas Nursery Landscape Association education credits, and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has approved it for eight hours of continuing education credits for licensed irrigators.
Registration is $165 and includes a copy of the Texas Irrigation Scheduling software. For more information and to register, go to the Texas A&M AgriLife Conference Services website at http://agrilifevents.tamu.edu.
“Attendees should bring a calculator and materials for taking notes,” Swanson said. “Dress appropriately, including rain gear, for outdoor fieldwork. And you can bring a laptop if you like.”
For more information on the overall content of these courses, contact Swanson at 979-845-5614 or go to http://irrigation.tamu.edu.
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