TX-587-GS-1

Irrigation Flowmeter

For Statewide Use

Natural Resources Conservation Service

CONSERVATION PRACTICE GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS

STRUCTURE FOR WATER CONTROL

INSTALLATION OF AN IRRIGATION FLOWMETER

(Ac.)

Code 587

for

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

I.SCOPE

The work shall consist of furnishing and installing irrigation flowmeter(s). This shall include the meter and all necessary appurtenances, such as couplers, joints, gaskets, and elbows.

II.LOCATION

Flowmeter(s) shall be located as shown in the construction details.

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.MATERIALS

The flowmeter shall be capable of measuring within an accuracy of ± 3% of actual flow. Appurtenances needed to attach the meter to the existing pipeline shall be of a pressure rating equal to or greater than the existing pipeline or in excess of the maximum anticipated operation pressure of the existing pipeline, including surge pressures capable of withstanding the operating pressure of the pipeline without leaks or creating an obstruction that could affect the operation of the meter.

V.installation

A.The installer shall follow the manufacturer's recommendations for the installation of the flowmeter. The recommendations shall include the requirements for straight pipe distance both upstream and downstream of the meter. These distances shall be detailed for various appurtenances, such as elbows, valves, sudden enlargements, and contractions. The meter shall be placed in the pipe in a position, which is correct for the pipe diameter and wall thickness.

B.Meters installed in an underground pipeline shall be supplied with a meter pit or a remote sensing monitor. The pit dimension shall allow a minimum of three inches of space horizontally from the flanged ends of the meter to the pit wall.

C.If it is determined that there is not full pipe flow at the meter site, a hump shall be installed downstream of the meter. The top of the hump shall be at least one-pipe diameter above the top of the line. Air, pressure, and vacuum relief valves may be installed on the hump, if they are needed for the proper functioning of the pipeline system.

D."HUMP" shall be defined as a rise in the outlet pipe on a given angle (usually 45 degrees) to a point at which the bottom of the downstream portion of the outlet pipe is higher than the top of the upstream portion of the outlet pipe. After a short distance (1 to 2 feet), the pipe may be angled back down to the preceding pipeline gradeline.

E.The installer will insure that the flowmeter is functioning properly at the time of installation. The meter shall be examined with water flow through the pipeline to determine if the meter is functioning properly and accurately measuring water. If operation problems, abnormal fluctuations in reading, or other deficiencies occur, the installation shall be re-evaluated and the cause of the problem and/or deficiencies corrected.

F.The manufacturer’s recommendations for maintenance shall be obtained and followed.

VI.CERTIFICATIONAND GUARANTEE

A.The flow meter installer shall furnish the purchaser a written guarantee against defective workmanship and materials to cover a period of not less than one year. The guarantee will provide the manufacturer's name, model and serial number of the installed flowmeter. The guarantee shall also certify that the materials and flowmeter installation comply with meter’s manufacturer’s requirements and the requirements of this specification.

B.The cooperator shall furnish the Natural Resources Conservation Service a copy of the installer’s certification/guarantee, which will be made a part of the supporting records of the flowmeter.

VII.MEASUREMENT

An onsite check of the completed installation will be performed by a USDA-NRCS representative to assure installation of flowmeter and location.

VIII.CONSTRUCTION DETAILS

A.Size of Flowmeter: Click here to enter Flowmeter Size inches

B.Location of Flowmeter: Click here to enter Flowmeter Location

C.Click here to enter Construction Details.

NRCS, Texas

January 2017