Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia
Department 600 - STATE SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Chapter 600-7
Subject 600-7-1 - AGRICULTURAL WATER USE MEASUREMENT PROGRAM
Appendix (600-7-1) A - AGRICULTURAL WATER USE MEASUREMENT PROGRAM TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS AND PROCEDURES
(effective as of January 28, 2004)
Section A, Measuring Device Specifications.
1. A measuring device shall mean the combination of a mechanical or sensor device, measuring chamber (vaned factory tube), integral, or remote display to make a working assemblage to measure, record, and allow determination of flow rate and total quantity of water flowing through a pipe.
2. The measuring device shall have a rated accuracy of plus or minus two (2) percent of actual flow within the range of flow for which it is designed. It will be capable of accurately registering the expected operating rate of discharge.
3. The measuring device registry shall have a visual volume recording totalizer, which shall record in acre-inches.
4. The register or totalizer canopy shall be protected from the elements by a Commission approved insulated canopy cover.
5. Register totalizers shall have sufficient capacity to record for the period of one year the quantity of water used from each water source or a combination of sources or for installations supplied by multiple sources. Totalizers shall be direct reading and the multiplier shall be clearly indicated in which the rate of flow can be determined by timing.
6. The measuring device shall be the velocity propeller, sensor type, or any other type approved by the Commission, and shall be made of non-corrosive materials.
7. Each measuring device shall be installed and calibrated according to the inside and outside diameters of the pipe section.
8. The measuring device shall have a pressure rating to fit the application used within its designed pressure range.
9. The measuring device size, serial number, and the direction of flow shall be clearly stamped on the body of the measuring device.
10. Each measuring device shall be equipped with a tamper-resistant seal provided by the Commission upon installation completion.
Section B, Installation Specifications.
1. The measuring device shall be installed to meet or exceed the manufacturer's specifications and recommendations.
2. The measuring device shall be sized and installed so that a full pipe flow will be maintained through the measuring device and so that water velocity in the measuring chamber will be within the normal operating range of the measuring device at all times. It may be advisable to construct special pipe sections, constrictions, or other controls to achieve this.
3. Each installation shall be evaluated by the Commission for the consideration of convenient access to the measuring device for inspection and maintenance procedures.
4. Each installation site will be evaluated as to the difficulty of the installation. Each site will have GPS coordinates, a digital photograph, and the inside and outside diameter of the pipe section. This information will be recorded in the Commission database and provided to the contractor for installation purposes.
5. Installations may require that the pipe section containing the measuring device be plumbed as to allow the pipe section to be drained for maintenance procedures.
6. The completion of each installation will require that the measuring device be provided with an approved insulated, all-weather, protective cover or as approved by the Commission.
7. The rules and regulations for installation specifications should be simple and flexible as not to limit improved technologies and varying site configurations. The designated agency personnel should be allowed to improvise, modify, or altercate certain installation procedures as to meet unusual conditions.
8. The measuring device shall be installed according to all manufacturer's specifications and recommendations and in such a manner that there will be a full pipe flow of water at all times while water is being measured.
9. Each measuring device shall be incorporated into the Commission databases according to model type, size, and GPS coordinates.
10. One or more measuring devices may be installed to measure flow of each permitted site.
11. Commission personnel shall periodically inspect measuring devices on a random basis for proper installation, operation, and readings.
Section C, Contractor Specifications.
1. The rules and regulations associated with contractor specifications shall be flexible enough to modify for improved technologies, various installation types, and varying site configurations.
2. The contractor shall have Commission approved certification, training, skills, and experience to install measuring devices according to manufacturer specifications and recommendations.
3. The contractor shall be required to attend Commission approved educational workshops and tutorials for installations certifications.
4. The contractor shall be bonded, licensed, and insured and will be liable and responsible for any damage to properties, equipment, structures, or other premises associated with installation sites.
5. The contractor shall be able to improvise, modify, alter, and construct special pipe sections, constrictions, or other controls approved by the Commission to accommodate installation specifications.
6. The contractor shall have the technology and equipment to conduct analysis of database information provided by the Commission regarding site evaluation and location.
7. The contractor shall be able to evaluate each installation with the database information provided by the Commission.
8. The contractor shall be able to transport measuring devices and their protective covers to all installation sites.
9. The contractor shall have a working knowledge of irrigation systems and be able to communicate with irrigators and Commission personnel in a cordial manner.
10. The Commission shall be able to solicit contractor bids for a specific number of measuring device installations in a regionalized area.
11. The contractor shall not receive installation reimbursement without Commission approval.
12. Commission personnel shall inspect each installation and the contractor shall be responsible for any and all re-modification requested by the Commission.
Section D, Quality Assurance and Quality Control.
1. Each measuring device will be scheduled for periodic servicing, maintenance, and testing as recommended by the manufacturer and approved by the Commission.
2. All measuring devices shall be kept clear of debris or of other material, which might impede operation.
3. The Commission shall maintain database records for maintenance procedures whenever a measuring device is removed for service, repair, or replacement.
4. Any malfunctioning measuring device must be reported to the Commission office or Commission personnel within twenty-four (24) hours after discovery. During this malfunctioning period, a substitute measuring device from the Commission, if available, may be used to determine water usage.
5. Data Management Quality Control. A specific process will be followed by the meter-readers in order to minimize errors associated with data reading and data entry. The seven steps below describe a process for the first-year of the Program.
i. Each meter-reader will be supplied with a GPS unit, digital camera and handheld PC.
ii. Upon arrival at each site the location and identity of the meter will be confirmed with the latitude and longitude reading on the GPS unit and matched with the recorded serial number for the meter.
iii. A digital image will be taken of the meter, clearly showing the meter reading. The image will automatically be stamped with the time and date of the reading.
iv. The meter reading and date will be recorded on the handheld PC. Crops grown on the irrigated field will also be recorded. The software on the handheld PC will clearly indicate to the meter-reader which information should be recorded at the site. If the meter-reader cannot determine what crops have been grown (e.g., the field has already been worked), this information can be obtained directly from the farmer, or with his/her permission from the Farm Services Agency (FSA).
v. Upon returning to the office each day (or at appropriate intervals), the meter-reader will download the information from the handheld PC to a Microsoft Access database on his/her desktop computer. The digital images and GPS readings will be downloaded into special software that links the photos and GPS tracklog (via their time stamps), and results in a digital photo of the meter reading that is marked with time, date and latitude and longitude information. The meter-reader will double check to make sure that all appropriate files have been transferred.
vi. On a regular basis, a staff member will be responsible for matching the digitally recorded images (readings and meter locations) with the electronically recorded readings of the meter-reader. The individual doing this task will be different from the meter-reader who initially recorded the data in the field.
vii. Appropriate databases and folders on the desktop computer will be backed up automatically each evening.
6. Meter Accuracy and Meter Testing. Regarding meter accuracy, each year the Director may select an appropriate sampling of measuring devices in each area to test for accuracy. The selected meters will be delivered to a certified testing facility for accuracy verification and necessary recalibrations to meet or exceed the Commission's and the manufacturer's specifications for which it is designed.
