This project is to provide an opportunity for single-family residents within Citrus and Hernando counties, the portion of Marion County in SWFWMD (west of I-75) and the portion of the Village Center Community Development District (VCCDD) located in Sumter County within the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD), to obtain site-specific irrigation evaluations for optimizing the outdoor residential use of water through Florida-friendly™ landscaping techniques, appropriate rainy season/dry season scheduling, efficient irrigation application systems, and to promote the implementation of recommendations provided by a professionally certified irrigation auditor/contractor.

Contractors used for the site-specific irrigation evaluations will be professionals certified as irrigation auditors by Florida Irrigation Society (FIS), Florida Nursery Growers & Landscape Association (FNGLA) or other recognized certifying agency whose certification parallels the United States of Environmental Protection WaterSense program requirements for irrigation.

The initiative will additionally include program information/marketing, an educational component designed to maintain the savings over the lifetime of the measure, reporting and analysis, code modification and program administration by a contractor. This project will target existing inefficient fully-operational single family residential irrigation systems, and should result in increased water savings and water quality protection.

1. TYPE OF PROJECT:
   
   This initiative is available for the single-family residential potable water users within the Withlacoochee region of the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) comprised of Citrus and Hernando counties, and the portion of Marion County in SWFWMD (west of I-75) and the portion of the Village Center Community Development District (VCCDD) located in Sumter County within the SWFWMD.  Participants will obtain site-specific evaluations and recommendations for optimizing the use of water through Florida-friendly landscaping practices and by utilizing efficient irrigation systems, as appropriate. Education/information for implementing recommendations provided by the professional certified contractor will target inefficient landscaping practices and irrigation devices for optimization which should result in measurable savings. Soil moisture and rain sensor devices will be provided and installed for all project participants who do not have a functioning device.
2. PROJECT OBJECTIVE:
   
   Upon completion the initiative will serve the following objectives:
1. Reduce the amount of water used outdoors daily by residential water customers through the promotion of Florida-friendly™ landscaping and by utilizing efficient irrigation devices, and schedules;
2. Develop an education program for residential water customers to ensure long-term outdoor water conservation and water quality results;
3. Modify the practices of residential water customers with high, inefficient irrigation water use; and
4. Reduce the non-point source pollution associated with inefficient irrigation
3. PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
1. A service area map is attached.
2. The project includes an education strategy, advertising and marketing, and the administration of irrigation audits in Citrus, and Hernando counties, eligible portions of Marion County, and the portion of the Village Center Community Development District in Sumter County, for up to 250 site specific evaluations with recommendations. It is anticipated that 60,000 gpd. (21.9 million gallons per year) will be saved through the proper installation of soil moisture sensors, rain sensors, appropriate scheduling, as well as the implementation of Florida-friendly landscaping practices.
3. The project will include the verification through inspection of the proper installation of efficiency devices by way of follow-up site visits and interviews concerning landscaping practices.
4. The water savings will favorably affect groundwater, public water supply and reclaimed water demand.
1. There are 14 General Water Use Permits issued to local governments by the Southwest Florida Water Management District for a total of 50.237 mgd.
2. There are approximately 274,400 total residential water customers within the region.
5. The project is located within the District’s Northern Planning Area.
6. This project is consistent with basin priorities for cost-effectively reducing water demand. Water supply will be enhanced by providing residential customers with rain sensors and moisture sensors where appropriate, thereby reducing public supply and the demand for potable water by implementing Florida-friendly™ landscaping practices.