Coupling funding with technical expertise, the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) and the Soil and Water Conservation Districts in Martin and St. Lucie counties are offering a free public service to help residents maximize efficiency of their lawn irrigation systems.
The service, called "Mobile Irrigation Labs," brings technicians to residential and commercial properties to evaluate the effectiveness of sprinkler systems and enhance water conservation.
"About 50 percent of all potable water in South Florida is used for landscape irrigation," said SFWMD Governing Board member Melissa Meeker. "With the growing need to be responsible with our water resources, the Mobile Irrigation Lab service is a unique and effective method of conserving one of our most precious resources."
Free evaluations of sprinkler systems are conducted by trained agricultural technicians who perform a series of tests measuring pumping capabilities, sprinkler pressures, flow rates and water distribution. After testing, the technicians provide recommendations on ways to make the system more water efficient for effective landscape irrigation.
By making the recommended improvements or repairs to an inefficient sprinkler system, residents and the environment may benefit from reduced water use, reduced runoff of fertilizers and pesticides, reduced soil erosion, lower energy costs and reduced plant diseases.
During the past year, the MIL program in St. Lucie County helped residents save 17.5 million gallons of water. Martin County saw a savings of 137 million gallons of water from the MIL service.
About 50 percent of all potable water in South Florida is used for landscape irrigation.
To schedule an evaluation with the Mobile Irrigation Lab, in St. Lucie County call (772) 461-4546 ext. 111; in Martin County, call Charlie Lambert at (772)
221-1303. For more information about the MIL program, visit
www.sfwmd.gov or call the SFWMD Martin/St. Lucie Service Center at (772) 223-2600.
# # #
The South Florida Water Management District is a regional, governmental agency that oversees the water resources in the southern half of the state - 16 counties from Orlando to the Keys.It is the oldest and largest of the state's five water management districts.The agency mission is to manage and protect water resources of the region by balancing and improving water quality, flood control, natural systems and water supply.A key initiative is cleanup and restoration of the Everglades.