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

Current through Rules and Regulations filed through June 27, 2024
(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.