The water management districts Florida is divided into five water management districts (WMDs) created by the Water Resources Act of 1972. (See a list of WMDs at the end of the course.) These are state agencies that are responsible for the management and protection of Florida’s water resources. The South Florida Water Management District Year-Round Landscape Irrigation Rule (F.A.C. 40E-24) are designed to ensure the efficient use of water landscape irrigation. In all cases, reclaimed water used for irrigation is subject to voluntary watering limits, unless otherwise restricted by a local government or utility. Local governments may adopt alternative landscape irrigation ordinances based on local water demands, system limitations, or resource availability. The year-round water restrictions allow enough water to maintain healthy landscapes. The restrictions specify the time and the days of the week when watering is permitted for residential and nonresidential. A healthy landscape only needs 1-inch to 1.5 inches of water per week during summer growing season and only as Irrigation systems F.A.C. 40C-2.042(5) requires that all automatic irrigation systems installed after May 1, 1991, include rain-sensing devices or soil-moisture sensors. A rain sensor is a water conservation device connected to an automatic irrigation system that causes the system to shut down in the event of rainfall. They conserve water, reduce wear on the irrigation system, and can prevent plant disease and other problems caused by overwatering. Rain sensors require regular monitoring to determine if they are operating properly, need cleaning, repositioning, or replacement. Soil moisture sensors operate similarly to rain sensors. They shut off the irrigation system when they detect that the soil contains a sufficient level of moisture. Agricultural uses are exempt for the use of rain-sensing devices or soil-moisture sensors, as long as they follow the agricultural water conservation requirements of the state. It is important that the association’s irrigation system is functioning efficiently. The system should be inspected on a regular basis to ensure that leaks are repaired, broken heads are unclogged and replaced, heads are directing water at plants rather than driveways and sidewalks, and plants are not interfering with the system. Irrigation systems should be calibrated to apply between 1/2 and 3/4 inch of water to the lawn. When possible, a drip or micro-irrigation system should be used to apply water directly to the plant roots, thereby reducing water loss resulting from evaporation or wind.
needed to supplement rainfall. During the winter season, when a lawn goes dormant, it requires even less. Some local governments have adopted two-day per week restrictions and others three-day per week restrictions. Keep in mind that the irrigation rule limits the frequency of irrigation . The actual amount of water that plants require may be less than the watering limit defined by the rule. If plants appear healthy, less water is required. Plants should be inspected for symptoms of water stress , including wilting, darkening color, and footprints remaining after walking on the lawn. Landscapes should not be watered if it has rained within the past twenty-four hours or if rain is predicted within twenty- four hours. The four core mission areas of the Water Management Districts are: ● Water supply ● Water quality ● Flood protection and floodplain management. ● Natural systems. I was having a quiet moment to catch up on some reports, when one of the landscape committee members came into the office and asked me, “Hey Tim, I looked on the DBPR site and did you know that the company that takes care of our irrigation doesn’t have an irrigation license?” There goes my quiet moment. However, I did explain — Irrigation professional licensing requirements Though many counties in Florida require irrigation contractors to be licensed, it is not a statewide requirement , and the regulation is not uniform between counties. However, the Department of Professional Regulation (DBPR) regulates the following licensing boards that are related to irrigation contracting: ● The Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) is responsible for the licensure and regulation under part I of Chapter 489, F.S., of construction contractors, including plumbing contractors. ● The Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board (ECLB) , is responsible for licensure and regulation of electrical contractors under Part II of Chapter 489, F.S. ● The Board of Landscape Architecture is responsible for the licensure and regulation of landscape architects under Paet II of Chapter 481, F.S. Other factors that affect water efficiency include that lawn mowers should be calibrated to cut no more than one-third of the grass blade. This results in the retention of deeper roots and less need for water. Lawn pests should be spot treated, and the use of chemicals minimized to avoid damage to the grass, which results in increased need for water. Excess use of fertilizer is not only harmful to the environment but can be destructive to plants, by making them more susceptible to disease and pests. It can also result in increased costs from additional pruning and mowing. A comprehensive approach to fertilizing that uses appropriate types of fertilizer in the right amount, at the right time can reduce a community’s nutrient inputs into local waterbodies.
Fertilize appropriately Fertilizer is a chemical or natural substance added to soil or land to promote plant growth and enhance plant appearance. Plants obtain nutrients from the soil. However, plants sometimes require supplemental nutrients in the form of fertilizer. Fertilizers are either organic or inorganic: ● Organic fertilizers are derived from plants and animals and include ingredients, such as manure and compost. ● Inorganic fertilizers are mined from mineral deposits or manufactured from synthetic materials.
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