Standards and Best Practice

Irrigation Codes and Standards

Industry standards are becoming increasingly important to the irrigation industry as it meets the challenges of increased productivity, resource management and environmental issues.

The IAL’s strategic goal for the area of Standards and Technical Codes is to:

  • Develop Standards and Technical Codes for the irrigation industry and increase awareness and use of all standards and codes relevant to irrigation.

Industry standards include:

  • STANDARDS – That is, performance standards for equipment
  • TECHNICAL CODES OF PRACTICE – That is, practices such as engineering, installation, design and operation being done in a prescribed way.

Standards and technical codes are prepared by independent organisations such as Standards Australia and the International Standards Organisation. Search our list of standards and codes.

Why Have Standards?
How can you be sure that a particular piece of equipment or installation will work effectively and consistently? Experience, brand loyalty or gut feeling isn't good enough. The best indicator is compliance to rigid testing and performance standards.

What is a Standard?
"A standard is a published document which sets out technical specifications or other criteria necessary to ensure that a material or method will consistently do the job it is intended to do." (Definition – Standards Australia)

When equipment or a method is tested to a standard you know that you have a guarantee of consistency. Standards are essential to any industry because they contribute to professionalism and credibility.

But it is not enough to have standards. People in the industry, both practitioners and clients, need to know what standards there are and how to apply them to a method, piece of equipment or material. They should also be able to provide input into the process of developing standards. This is where the IAL has an important role.

IAL Standards Activities
New International Standards Organisation Report
The IAL was represented at the 2003 meeting of the International Standards Organisation subcommittee with responsibility for developing standards for irrigation equipment. The committee meets every year to facilitate the development of new standards, to update and review existing standards and identify areas where new standards are required. The committee has representatives from some 20 countries, including Australia.

IAL Standards Special Interest Group
IAL has a significant role in developing standards for the irrigation industry, and in ensuring that the industry is aware of them. To facilitate this role IAL is establishing a Standards Special Interest Group. Any members who are interested in becoming members of the group are invited to contact the coordinator; Jeremy Cape, Jeremy@capeability.biz, 0410307444.

IAL, through Standards Australia, is a participating member in the work of the International Standards Organisation subcommittee with responsibility for irrigation standards, ISO TC 23 SC 18.

ISO TC 23 SC 18 is currently redrafting or reviewing the following standards:

  • ISO/NP 7714 IRRIGATION EQUIPMENT – VOLUMETRIC VALVES: General requirements and test methods
  • ISO 7749–1 IRRIGATION EQUIPMENT – ROTATING SPRINKLERS: Part 1. Design and operational requirements
  • ISO 7749–2 IRRIGATION EQUIPMENT – ROTATING SPRINKLERS: Part 2. Uniformity of distribution and test methods
  • ISO NP 8026 AGRICULTURAL IRRIGATION EQUIPMENT – SPRAYERS: General requirements and test methods (Revision of ISO 8026:1995)
  • ISO CD 8224 TRAVELLER IRRIGATION MACHINES (Revision of ISO 8224-1 and ISO 8224-2:1991)
  • ISO WD 8224–1 TRAVELLER IRRIGATION MACHINES: Part 1. Laboratory and field test method (Revision of ISO 8224–1:1990. Replaced by ISO CD 8224)
  • ISO WD 8224–2 TRAVELLER IRRIGATION MACHINES: Part 2. Determining the uniformity of water application in field conditions (Revision of ISO 8224–2:1991. Replaced by ISO/CD 8224)

The IAL is monitoring the progress of these standards and sends comments and voting information to the ISO when necessary. We also contact manufacturers for additional information to assist with comments.

Metering standards for non urban water supply

For the latest on metering and metering standards for non urban water supply.   

  • Standards Australia website - standards for meters for non-urban water supply - look for ATS 4747 parts 1-3,5,6 click here 
  • National Measurement Institute website - pattern approval for meters intended for the metering of water - look for NMI M 10-1 to 3, and NMI M 11-1 to 3 click here 

Have Your Say
The IAL invites members to comment on draft standards. During the year we will be asking members to comment as drafts are considered by the International Standards Organisation.

More Information
Members or interested parties who would like to support or vote on adoption or alterations to ISO standards being drafted or existing standards being modified.
If you want to find out about the progress of a certain standard or register interest in the activities of a particular working group contact Jeremy Cape, coordinator of the Special Interest Group
jeremy Cape,  jeremy@capeability.biz

Best practice Guidelines for Urban irrigation

In a first for the water industry in Australia, a national set of best practice guidelines for urban irrigation and home garden irrigation was developed in 2006. This major achievement for the industry is the result of a project funded by the Water Services Association of Australia and Irrigation Australia Limited.

The Guidelines come in two parts:

  • Guide to Good Garden Watering
    This 4-page publication is a simple reference for home gardeners and provides basic information about irrigating home gardens. It is not designed as a definitive publication, rather acts as a “starter” document with pointers to other sources of information, particularly for the more committed home gardener. This publication has been produced to provide a consistent set of introductory guidelines to garden irrigation that can be applied by any home gardener in Australia.  Download your free of Guide to Good Garden Watering (PDF 2.5MB) from the download page.
  • Urban Best Management Practice Guidelines
    This publication is intended as a guide for the commercial irrigation sector (manufacturers, designers, installers and contractors) and for those who specify irrigation equipment and projects and develop regulations to do with urban irrigation (water authorities, State governments, local government, and managers of recreational turf). It details best management practice for designing, installing, maintaining, and operating irrigation systems in an urban setting.
    The aim of the publication is to define best management practices as a way of encouraging improved standards in the industry and a consistent approach national to the specification, design, installation and operation of irrigation systems. This will help to ensure that urban irrigation is as water efficient as possible.
    This publication is available from the Association for $22 inc. GST for members and $33 inc. GST for non members. Call 02 9476 0142 to order your copy NOW!

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