ALACHUA COUNTY, FL - At the Regular Alachua County Commission Meeting on September 22, 2015, the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners adopted new Landscape Irrigation Design and Maintenance Standards. To help contractors understand and comply with the new standards, Alachua County is co-hosting (with the St. Johns River Water Management District, and the Florida Nursery, Growers, and Landscape Association) two Florida Water Star AP courses. The classes will be held on December 8, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Alachua County Health Department (224 SE 24th St, Gainesville), and February 2, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Southeast Ecological Science Center (7920 NW 71st St, Gainesville). Testing is available on December 9, 16, and February 3, times and locations will be offered during registration. The class is free, but the exam fee is $25 per exam. Space is limited, so early registration is recommended.
Irrigation professionals installing and/or maintaining irrigation systems within Alachua County must register their business with the County by December 1, 2015. All new irrigation systems or significant modifications to existing systems completed after April 1, 2016, within unincorporated Alachua County must adhere to the new efficiency standards.
Find out more about the code, including registration information.
Irrigation plans must be submitted and an inspection will be required for irrigation systems which fall under the jurisdiction of the code. Irrigation professionals who achieve Florida Water Star AP for Landscapes and Irrigation, or who have the State’s voluntary irrigation license may self-inspect their own systems.
The goal of this code is to improve water quality by reducing fertilizer runoff and leaching, while also reducing water use.
“The design standards adopt irrigation best management practices into local code,” said Alachua County Environmental Protection Department Water Conservation Coordinator Stacie Greco. She continued, “Since almost 60% of residential water use occurs in our landscapes, this is an important step for reducing water use. The water savings will not only help save our springs and groundwater supplies, but will also save homeowners money on their utility bills.”
To register for the Florida Water Star AP course, contact Merry Mott at 800-375-3642 or mmott@fngla.org.
For more information, visit theAlachua County Environmental Protection’s Water Resources website or contact Stacie Greco at 352-264-6829 or Sgreco@alachuacounty.us.