TX-442-GS-1

MESA

For Statewide Use

Natural Resources Conservation Service

CONSERVATION PRACTICE GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS

SPRINKLER SYSTEM

INSTALLATION OF A NEW SPRINKLER SYSTEM WITH A MID-ELEVATION, SPRAY APPLICATION (MESA) SPRINKLER NOZZLE PACKAGE

(Ac.)

Code 442

for

Click here to enter Name of Owner/Operator & Contract Number

I. SCOPE

The work shall consist of furnishing and installing a Mid-Elevation, Spray Application (MESA) sprinkler package on an existing linear or center-pivot sprinkler irrigation system.

II. LOCATION

The sprinkler system and its components shall be located as shown on furnished drawings/map or as staked in the field.

III. PUBLIC AND PRIVATE UTILITIES

A. Utilities are defined to be overhead and underground power or communication lines, and pipelines. The contractor should conduct their own search and discovery for utilities in order to lessen or avoid potential damages. Other buried infrastructure, such as landowner-installed drainage tile, private water lines, or electrical lines, are the responsibility of the landowner to locate. The owner/operator shall complete TX-ENG-80A, Utilities Inventory, during planning and return it to the NRCS representative.

B. The owner/operator shall also ensure that TX-ENG-80B, Cooperator Confirmation of the Utility Locator Service, is completed and returned to the NRCS representative prior to layout or any ground disturbance.

C. Cooperators, sponsoring organizations, and/or contractors shall be liable for damage to utilities and damage resulting from disruption of service caused by installation activities. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) makes no representation on the existence or non-existence of any utilities. Absence of utilities on drawings is not assurance that no utilities are present at the site.

IV. ELECTRICAL WIRING, COMPONENTS AND PROTECTION

A. Extra care should be taken when working on or near electrical powered irrigation systems. Electric power shall be disconnected from the irrigation system prior to the installation of any sprinkler nozzle package.

B. ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. All electrical components, including wiring, boxes, and connectors, shall meet the requirements of the National Electric Code for the location and type of installation. Additionally, all installation and components shall also meet any local electrical requirements and obtain permits if required.

C. ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION. This conservation practice includes an electrical component which can present a safety hazard to you and others if not installed and operated correctly. Therefore, it is highly recommended that you hire a licensed electrician to inspect and/or install the electrical elements. The licensed electrician would be able to determine if your installation meets the applicable state and local regulations, including National Electric Code. You as the landowner/operator are responsible for the installed practice meeting all the applicable state and local regulations, including National Electric Code.

D. USDA – Natural Resources Conservation Service will be performing a checkout/certification of the practice, but this checkout does not include any verification of the electrical components safety nor does it include any verification of compliance with NEC.

E. PROTECTION OF POWER SUPPLY. Power supply should be appropriately placed and protected to reduce the potential for accidental contact from machinery and personnel. If the power supply is located in an area that is reasonably accessible by machinery, it shall be protected by bollards or other appropriate measures.

I acknowledge the above Electrical Safety requirements and certify that they will be met.

Signature: ______Date: ______

V. INSTALLATION AND MATERIALS

A. All materials used in the installation of the sprinkler irrigation system including the MESA sprinkler nozzle package shall be new and free from defects.

B. The nozzle shall discharge the water above the planned crop canopy between 3 to 7 feet of the soil surface depending on crop height. Lower nozzle heights will require a closer nozzle spacing to insure a high Coefficient of Uniformity (Cu). All MESA nozzle heights shall be uniform above the soil surface when the system is operating. The optimum drop spacing is two crop rows, but drops may be spaced up to 10 feet apart. After installation, the system shall be pressure tested at the system operating pressure. All leaks shall be repaired to insure a leak-free system.

VI. MESA SYSTEM MANAGEMENT

Application rates shall be set such that runoff, translocation, and deep percolation are eliminated, or additional measures, such as furrow diking, in-furrow chiseling, conservation tillage, and/ or residue management shall be applied.

VII. CHEMIGATION SAFETY

All applicable Federal, state and local laws and regulations in regards to backflow prevention shall be followed in the installation of the system. All irrigation distribution systems into which any type of chemical (except disinfecting agents) or other foreign substances will be injected into the water pumped from water wells shall be equipped with an in-line, automatic quick-closing check valve capable of preventing pollution of the ground water in accordance with Texas Administrative Code, Title 16, Part 4, Chapter 76.1007,”Technical Requirements – Chemical Injection, Chemigation, and Foreign Substance Systems”.

VIII. CERTIFICATION

A. The installing contractor shall furnish the Natural Resources Conservation Service a copy of the sprinkler nozzle design printout, which will be made part of the supporting records for the MESA sprinkler system. This sprinkler design printout is the installing contractor’s certification that the sprinkler system was installed according to the design.

B. A field check of the installed MESA sprinkler system will be made by NRCS personnel to compare the installed sprinkler nozzle package to the sprinkler nozzle design printout and to check that all new materials were used in the installation of the MESA sprinkler system. The installed nozzle package will be checked with center pivot evaluation software to insure that a Coefficient of Uniformity (Cu) of 90 percent or better is achieved.

IX. MEASUREMENT

The amount of the MESA sprinkler system installed will be determined by measuring the length of the sprinkler system, in feet.

X. CONSTRUCTION DETAILS

A. Mid-Elevation Spray Application Sprinkler

B. Click here to enter Construction Details.

NRCS, Texas

January 2017