Of all water uses, nearly 90% is used for irrigation purposes, i.e., lawn and agricultural irrigation.
Irrigation efficiency can result in:
Reduced runoff of fertilizer and pesticides
Reduced soil erosion
Increased crop production
Lower energy costs
Reduced plant diseases
Lower water costs
Mobile Irrigation Labs (MILs) are a tried-and-true tool in the water conservation toolbox. They offer a free public service to the agricultural industry.
These specialized labs on wheels evaluate the effectiveness of irrigation systems and then make recommendations on how the system can be made more efficient. The result is a savings in water, energy, time, and money for the user.
MILs are also a great example of the benefits of partnerships. The South Florida Water Management District, in partnership with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, the University of Florida IFAS extension service and the County Soil and Water Conservation Districts, share not only funding but technical expertise, and in offering public education programs designed to create an awareness of the benefits of water conservation.
Participation in the MIL program is voluntary and free of charge. Individuals or large volume users can request that an MIL team make an on-site inspection of their automatic sprinkler system. The MIL is staffed by trained irrigation researchers who evaluate and make recommendations based on their findings.
MIL staff conduct a series of tests measuring pumping capacities, sprinkler pressures and flow rates, and how evenly water is distributed. Evenness or uniformity is important to efficient landscape or crop watering. Uneven application can result in some plants receiving too much water and others not enough -- an important consideration for commercial growers who use their irrigation system for application of fertilizer and fungicides.
In the last seven years, the MILs in south Florida have saved almost 3 billion gallons by recommending better irrigationpractices and retrofitting and upgrading irrigation systems.
Presently four mobile irrigation labs are in operation in ten counties within the South Florida Water Management District. More will be established in the future based on population, water use, and willing partners.
Water Supply Plans
Water Conservation
