What is WaterSense?
WaterSense is a U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Program designed to encourage water efficiency in the United States through the use of a special label on professional programs and consumer products.
WaterSense only labels programs that certify experienced irrigation design, installation/maintenance, and auditing professionals. Certified professionals must confirm thier ability to assess critical soil/water/plant relationships and resulting impacts on irrigation system efficiency. They must renew their certification periodically to confirm their qualifications and demonstrate awareness of recent innovations and technology developments.
For more information about WaterSense and its labeling program visit http://www.epa.gov/watersense
How do I become certified?
In order to become a WaterSense Irrigation Partner, professionals in the industry must first become certified through a WaterSense Labeled Certification Program. This process ensures that WaterSense Irrigation Partners are trained on designing, installing, and maintaining water-efficient irrigation systems.
Starting January 2011, students who complete the Texas Landscape Irrigation Auditing & Management Short Course Program (School of Irrigation, Texas Agrilife Extension Service) and pass the certification exam are eligable to become EPA WaterSense Certifed Irrigation Partners.
Once you have completed the Texas Agrilife Extension Service requirements and recieved your WaterSense Labeled Landscape Irrigation Auditing Certification, you will need to complete and sign a Certified Professionals Partnership Agreement (click here to download) with EPA and submit it along with a copy your WaterSense Labeled Landscape Irrigation Auditing Certificate to EPA by email watersense@epa.gov or
fax to (703) 841-1440. After the EPA recieves your Partnership Agreement and Certificate, you will be added to a list of Irrigation Partners on the WaterSense Website at http://www.epa.gov/watersense/meet_our_partners.html .
For more information about becoming a WaterSense Landscape Irrigation Professional Partner, visit http://www.epa.gov/watersense/partners/irrigation.html
How do I renew my certfication?
To renew your Landscape Irrigation Auditing Certification with the WaterSense Label, an Auditor shall within 2 years of the certificate being issued:
1. Complete any 8 Hour CEU Short Course offered by Texas Agrilife Extension Service-School of Irrigation.
Approved Courses are available at http://irrigation.tamu.edu
2.
Provide documentation of completing at least 1 Irrigation Audit from the last date of certification or renewal.
Irrigation Audit Documentation
Irrigators wishing to renew Auditing Certification with the WaterSense Label shall provide documentation of completing an irrigation audit (minimum 2 station/zones) conducted between the time the certification was issued and time of renewal. Documentation shall include but is not limited to:
- Contact information of Audit Site Contact
- Location of audit
- Executive Summary of procedures, field work and calculations conducted, including performance summary of irrigation system.
- Copy of Field Data collected, including catch can measurement or meter readings, site map with catch can layout (If catch cans were used) or site map identifying problems with irrigation system.
- Copy of Recommended Irrigation Schedule to be implemented
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