在该国许多地区，除了一些基本的健康和安全要求外，景观灌溉行业基本上不受监管。德克萨斯州是为数不多的几个有灌溉设计标准和防回流要求的州之一，这些标准并不严格，几乎没有强制执行，也没有严格的合规性。在奥斯汀，灌溉人员目前只需遵守最低限度的州指导方针。必须安装防回流装置，虽然它们应该在安装时进行测试，但没有后续测试。一项针对城市公园和当地学校灌溉系统防回流装置的调查显示，故障率为63%。 该市已经认识到有必要纠正这一潜在的健康威胁，目前正在努力修订灌溉许可证制度。水资源保护计划正在考虑将设计要求纳入许可制度，以进一步保护水资源。这些要求包括雨水切断装置、可根据城市建议的五天夏季浇水计划进行编程的控制器、止回阀以及头对头覆盖的头间距。本文件不仅详细说明了提议的要求，还审查了制定新法规的过程，以及几个利益相关者团体的参与，包括水利设施和灌溉者。

In many parts of the country, the landscape irrigation industry is largely unregulated, aside from some basic health and safety requirements. Texas is one of the few states that does have standards for irrigation design and a requirement for backflow prevention, the standards are not rigorous and there is little enforcement and spotty compliance. In Austin, irrigators currently are required to follow only the minimal state guidelines. Backflow prevention devices must be installed, and although they are supposed to be tested at when they are installed, there is no follow-up testing. A survey of backflow prevention devices on irrigation systems at city parks and local schools showed a failure rate of 63 percent. The City has recognized a need to correct this potential health threat and is currently working to revise the irrigation permit system. The Water Conservation Program is considering incorporating design requirements into the permitting system that would further conservation efforts. These requirements would include rain shutoff devices, controllers that are programmable to the City's suggested five-day summer watering schedule, check valves, and head spacing for head to head coverage. This paper details not only the proposed requirements but also examines the process of developing the new regulations and the participation by several stakeholder groups, including the water utility and irrigators.