ASIC says 'free' irrigation designs by suppliers not acceptable
13 Oct, 2008 LM Direct!The American Society of Irrigation Consultants (ASIC) issued the following Position Paper on Oct. 10.
The American Society of Irrigation Consultants (ASIC) was established in 1970 to provide a wide range of irrigation development and design services. A primary motivating factor was – and still is –the independence of professional members from the influence of equipment manufacturers and their agents.
Independent irrigation consultants represent the best interests of their clients, comprised of land developers, owners, and operators, by specifying irrigation products that are most appropriate for the project.
ASIC has not and will not support the practice of providing irrigation system designs by any irrigation manufacturer, its agent or its distributor. Such services run contrary to, and are in direct conflict with, ASIC's professional mission. Moreover, such services do not adequately satisfy the needs and goals of property owners/clients, communities and the environment.
ASIC posits that water delivery and management product selection and application are integral to an overall system design and should be based on:
• general area climate data;
• site-specific weather, exposure, plant selection and soil conditions;
• product availability and service support;
• current and projected human and fiscal resources;
• current and projected site water quality and availability;
• property/landscape management capabilities; and
• numerous other factors.
Independently selecting and specifying the best performing products for each of these system functions regardless of a manufacturer or distributor optimize water-use efficiency, system compatibility and system longevity. Restricting irrigation design to the use of a single product or manufacturer's line of products severely limits system capabilities and performance.
ASIC appreciates the majority of irrigation manufacturers and distributors that choose to compete on the basis of product promotion, price, innovation and performance.
The irrigation, landscape and turf industries are under increasingly intense scrutiny. Policymakers, with growing public support, are challenging irrigation system performance and, in fact, the necessity for irrigation altogether. It is critical that the irrigation industry aggressively advance water-use efficiency and accountability through sound independent irrigation consulting services.
Any manufacturer or its agent offering free designs in competition with ASIC member products is in direct conflict with ASIC's mission, general client goals and overall environmental sustainability.
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