Do You Know the Law?

12 steps to insure that the contractor you choose meets the requirements of the Texas laws and rules as administered by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

A Texas licensed irrigator is required by law to comply with the standards established by the rulings of the Texas Water Code. These standards have been set to insure the protection of our potable water sources and maintain the highest level of conservation to our most important resource—Water.

The following is a partial list of the requirements set forth by Chapter 34 of the Texas Water Code that you should be aware of when choosing a contractor to install your sprinkler system.

To become a licensed irrigator or installer, one must prequalify by completing a commission approved course prior to sitting for the licensing exam.
Anyone exempt from the licensing requirements must comply with the standards set out in Chapter 34 of the Texas Water Code.
Every person holding a certificate of registration is required to display it at his/her place of business and document that the certificate is current.
Beginning in 1997, the yearly license renewal will not only require the payment of the regular renewal fee, but also proof of completing 8 hours of commission approved continuing education credits.
A licensed irrigator must sign his or her legal name and affix the imprint of his/her authorized seal or rubber stamp to all professional documents and accept all responsibility for those documents and the work pursuant to the documents.
In the event that a local code or regulations are absent when installing an irrigation system, a proper backflow device must be installed.
It is TCEQ’s policy that all irrigation systems be designed, installed, maintained, repaired, and serviced in a manner that will promote water conservation.
An irrigator must comply with the minimal standards set forth in the rules for spacing of all types of heads, water pressure, wind derating, precipitation rates in various zones of the state, depth coverage of pipe and wiring of all irrigation systems.
If it is determined that an irrigator is in violation of the Texas Water Code, Chapter 34, or related rules of the commission, the executive director may initiate a formal enforcement action that could cause loss of license, suspension, or an assessment of an administrative penalty.
Any advertisement, or business card must have the irrigator's license number included. Any vehicles used for installation, repair or service must list the irrigator's license number on both sides.
A customer must be given a written guarantee for materials and labor furnished in the installation of all new irrigation systems.
All written contracts and bills to install irrigation systems must include the statement, "Irrigation in Texas is regulated by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, P.O. Box 13087, Austin, TX 78711-3087." If there is no written agreement, a written document with the above statement must be given to the other party.

This abbreviated list of requirements is brought to you by the Texas Turf Irrigation Association. As concerned Texans, help us to maintain the professional standards that will keep Texas and our water safe.

If you would like a copy Chapter 34 of the TexasWater Code
from which this page has been written, please contact:

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
P. O. Box 13087
Austin, TX 78711-3087
(512) 239-6719