Media Release

​ALACHUA COUNTY, FL - Alachua County has implemented a new Landscape Irrigation Design and Maintenance Code. These new requirements will ensure that all new landscape irrigation systems are efficient.

The new code requires that all new landscape irrigation systems installed in unincorporated Alachua County after April 1, 2016, must receive County approval. This includes an application fee and an irrigation drawing. All systems will then go through an inspection process.

Visit theAlachua County Environmental Protection Department’s Irrigation Restrictions website to learn more about the Code, and access the Irrigation Professional Portal (to submit documents and pay fees online). Homeowners installing their own systems must also comply with the Code, and are encouraged to call Alachua County Water Resources staff at 352-264-6800 for assistance.

The inspection fee is waived for irrigation professionals who are qualified to self-inspect through the State Irrigation License or Florida Water Star (FWS) Accredited Professional status.  A free FWS Accredited Professional training will be held on May 18, with testing on May 19, and May 25. To register for the training, contact Florida Nursery, Growers, and Landscape Association’s Merry Mott at mmott@fngla.org.

“The majority of residential water use occurs in the landscape,” said Alachua County Environmental Protection Department Water Conservation Coordinator Stacie Greco. She continued, “While the best way to conserve water outdoors is to eliminate irrigation, if new irrigation is going to be installed, it must follow the new design standards to ensure that the system is as efficient as possible.”

For more information, contact Stacie Greco at 352-264-6829 or sgreco@alachuacounty.us.