Florida. Sun-drenched beaches, vibrant wildlife, and an iconic tropical vibe. But behind all the beauty, there’s a challenge that’s a little harder to see – water management.
With shifting weather patterns, explosive growth, delicately balanced with the need to preserve nature and conserve our water, commercial landscape irrigation in Florida is a task unlike anywhere else.
Solutions that thrive in other regions can falter when faced with Florida’s unique environmental demands. So what are the challenges, and how can they be mitigated without compromising the quality of your landscape?
When it comes to natural wonders, Florida is in a league of its own. Home to more than 700 wildlife land species and boasting 11 million acres of wetlands — nearly 20% of the nation’s remaining wetlands — Florida is a biodiversity hotspot that attracts attention from all over the world.
But, with rapid urban growth, agricultural expansion and other increasing demands on water resources, Florida’s natural ecosystems are under pressure.
It's hard to realise sometimes, when we're in the midst of a deluge for example, that there are any pressures on water supplies at all.
Over 37 animal species are endangered, and 26 species are threatened in Florida today. It’s a sobering statistic. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has its hands full trying to protect these vulnerable species, as disruptions to water sources and habitats put them under enormous pressure. With so much at stake, managing water usage has never been more critical.
Florida’s wetlands are not just beautiful—they’re essential. These ecosystems filter water, control floods, and support countless species. But with urban sprawl and more water being used for irrigation, wetlands are disappearing fast.
A recent study from the University of Florida revealed that more than 84,000 acres of wetlands have been lost or degraded in the past decade. Every acre lost is a step closer to a future where Florida’s natural balance is harder to restore.
Florida’s wildlife doesn’t just live in harmony with the land—it sometimes disrupts infrastructure, too. Gopher tortoises dig where they shouldn’t, and beavers have a knack for making dams in annoying places.
While we love them, these creatures can be costly. And with Florida’s population expected to grow by 3.2 million people by the end of this decade, the strain on resources and infrastructure is only going to increase.
Florida’s climate is famous for being both tropical and unpredictable, and that includes its drought cycles. The state regularly experiences periods of extreme dryness, which can quickly drain water resources used for irrigation.
Just last year, over 88% of Florida was dealing with abnormally dry conditions, and 55% was in a severe drought. Southwest Florida saw rainfall deficits of 30% in 2023 alone. That’s a whole lot of thirst in a state that’s supposed to be a green paradise.
Climate models suggest that Florida’s drought cycles will not only become more frequent but also more intense and longer-lasting. This means that irrigation systems will face increased pressure to perform; the challenge that must be met is to adapt to this pressure by managing water resources more efficiently.
The future of Florida’s landscapes relies on smarter, more sustainable irrigation solutions. When droughts hit, Florida isn’t shy about taking drastic measures. Some counties have restricted outdoor irrigation to just one day per week.
Despite restrictions, a 3.08 foot drop in groundwater levels were recorded in spring 2024 compared to the previous spring. It’s a tough situation that calls for smarter, more efficient irrigation systems that can help conserve water without sacrificing the beauty of the landscape.
At the other end of the scale, Florida is no stranger to hurricanes either. In fact, it’s the U.S. state most vulnerable to these storms, with 120 direct hurricane strikes since 1851. Hurricanes leave a trail of destruction, and irrigation systems are often caught in the chaos.
Flooded pipes, damaged pumps, and disrupted water channels are just the beginning. The real impact comes in the form of massive repair costs.
When a hurricane makes landfall, it doesn’t just knock out power — it knocks out critical systems that keep landscapes alive and thriving. Extended power outages can disable pumping stations, irrigation controllers, and all the other electronic equipment needed for proper watering.
And when outages stretch on for weeks or even months, you’re looking at widespread disruptions that can bring irrigation systems to a standstill. This means no water for landscapes that depend on a precise watering schedule to stay healthy. The aftermath? A landscape disaster waiting to happen.
It’s not only power and roads that get wiped out—water management infrastructure often bears the brunt of a hurricane’s fury, too. Flood control systems, canal networks, and other key water distribution channels are frequently damaged, leaving communities and agricultural areas vulnerable.
The financial impact of these interruptions is no small matter. In fact, Hurricane Irma caused billions in damages to Florida’s water management systems back in 2018. With this kind of damage, maintaining consistent irrigation is far from easy—and the recovery process takes time.
With climate change driving this shift, saltwater is beginning to seep into Florida’s coastal aquifers—the very aquifers that provide irrigation water to much of the state.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, around 1,800 square miles of the Floridan aquifer system along the coast are already affected by saltwater intrusion. This isn’t just a problem—it’s a looming crisis that threatens the long-term availability of Florida’s water supply.
Droughts are pushing Florida’s surface water resources to the limit, but there’s another major concern: over-exploitation of the state’s groundwater.
Florida relies heavily on two major aquifers—the Floridan and Biscayne—for drinking water, with over 90% of the state’s drinkable water coming from these sources. The issue is these aquifers are being tapped at an unsustainable rate. The demand is outpacing the supply, and the result is a ticking time bomb for water scarcity.
To make matters worse, the rate at which aquifers are being depleted is far greater than the rate at which they’re being naturally replenished.
The South Florida Water Management District reports that aquifers are being drained at three times the rate of natural recharge from rainfall and surface water. This unsustainability could leave the state with a massive water deficit in the years to come.
In addition to the pressure on public drinking water supplies, landscape irrigation across Florida is putting an enormous strain on freshwater resources.
According to the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), Florida’s residential and commercial irrigation systems consume a staggering 900 million gallons of fresh water every single day.
In Central Florida, outdoor irrigation accounts for about 50% of all residential water use. And with projections showing that the region could face a shortfall of over 1 billion gallons per day by 2035, the math simply doesn’t add up.
If demand continues to rise while freshwater supply dwindles, we could be looking at a serious water crisis in the near future. It’s without doubt a huge challenge to find a sustainable solution to balance growing demands with shrinking resources.
To protect Florida’s most valuable resource – water – each of the state’s five regional Water Management Districts imposes its own irrigation restrictions. These rules get even tighter during droughts, ensuring that every drop counts for people, the environment, and future generations.
In Northwest Florida, the Water Management District has one clear mission: conserve water. Landscape irrigation is limited to just one assigned day per week in many counties. This restriction ensures that the water supply is preserved for the essentials—human consumption and environmental sustainability and protection.
When the “drought of 2022” hit, the Southwest Florida Water Management District didn’t hesitate. Some counties had to reduce irrigation to just one day per week, ensuring aquifer levels didn’t reach critical lows. It’s a tough call, but protecting Florida’s aquifers is non-negotiable.
In South Florida, the Water Management District has made it easy with a year-round odd/even irrigation schedule based on your property’s address. But that’s not all—during droughts, they ramp up the restrictions. Efficient water use is the name of the game.
The St. Johns River Water Management District is all about precision. Its odd/even irrigation schedule, covering 18 counties, ensures water is used efficiently. Plus, they don’t mess around with waste—no irrigation during rainfall, and strict watering hours are enforced to maximize every drop.
Suwannee River Water Management District is primarily focused on agriculture, but they’re not leaving urban areas behind. Some irrigation restrictions are still in place for city landscaping, helping preserve precious drinking water when it’s needed most.
Florida is a paradise for most of us, most of the time - but it’s a bit of a headache for landscape irrigation. The conditions here are challenging, so getting a complete irrigation solution designed specifically for the individual needs of a project and meeting the state’s requirements is important.
From coastal areas to inland communities, the right irrigation system can handle it all, ensuring your landscape stays green and healthy no matter what Florida’s weather throws at it.
Here are some headline must have’s to consider if you’re assessing your current irrigation system’s ability to face Florida’s challenges - or looking for a replacement system that will serve you and your landscape for the long term.
In Florida, no two landscapes are the same, and that’s why it’s key to have a solution that is tailored to your specific area. Whether you're watering a golf course or a residential neighborhood, it stands to reason that the best solution for your project’s unique needs is a custom designed pump station that meets those requirements.
A golf course, a property development and a business park have vastly different requirements when it comes to water. It’s the reason we’ve always avoided a boilerplate approach and why every pump station we design is customized and perfectly optimized to fit the needs of each project. It's an approach that delivers long-lasting benefits and protects the investment our customers make.
With a custom system, you get more than just irrigation; you get a bespoke solution that works efficiently from the moment it’s turned on.
Florida’s climate is no joke. From sweltering sun to torrential downpours, irrigation systems need to be engineered to thrive in these tough conditions. Using only high-quality materials your irrigation system should be able to resist the wear and tear caused by intense heat, humidity, and storms this climate throws at it.
But it’s not just about surviving; it’s about efficiency. The best systems are designed to optimize water flow and pressure, keeping energy costs low and performance high.
A smart, sustainable design keeps your landscape healthy and looking good - without draining your budget.
Florida’s growth is unstoppable, and an irrigation system must scale with it. Whether it’s serving a small residential area or a sprawling commercial development, your irrigation solution should be flexible enough to grow with your needs.
As new neighborhoods sprout up and businesses expand, a great irrigation system can easily adjust to meet the increased demand for water.
If you get this set up correctly from the start, you won’t have to worry about fully replacing your system as your landscape grows. It’s the reason that Hoover solutions are scalable, and will deliver the same reliable performance year after year.
Managing irrigation should be easy, but we consistently run into landscape managers who are using manual systems that are outdated. This makes running your system on a daily basis a mammoth, resource heavy task. This can all be addressed with irrigation management software.
For example, Hoover's Flowguard is a cloud-based platform that lets you monitor and manage your irrigation system in real time, right from your phone or computer wherever you happen to be.
We developed and invented Flowguard in-house specifically to address the needs and challenges that all modern irrigation systems must meet. And we're continually evolving Flowguard to ensure it keeps pace with the needs of modern irrigation needs.
Commercial irrigation systems are most efficient when supported by software that provides full oversight on system performance - from anywhere in the world: from one smart dashboard that allows full control and monitoring from any laptop or phone. From remote monitoring, to in-depth, time-stamped data for all of the equipment you’re managing, and providing automated reports on water consumption from any specified location in your field. An irrigation system must be capable of meeting everything that the Florida climate and weather present, both now and in the future.
Surges in water pressure can cause major headaches for irrigation systems, but luckily, many systems these days are built with surge protection in mind. Fluctuations in pressure can damage pipes, disrupt flow, and lead to costly repairs.
The best irrigation network will have advanced surge suppression technology to ensure consistent water flow, protecting your system and preventing any nasty surprises. And of course, it’s why Hoover systems are built with surge suppression as standard.
Look for solutions and companies that don’t just set up your system and walk away. Find a company that’ll stay with you for the long haul, providing ongoing, preventative maintenance to keep things running smoothly.
Florida’s weather takes a toll on everything, including irrigation systems, so regular checks, adjustments, and preventive care ensure that your pump station performs at its best.
Water quality varies across Florida, and poor-quality water can wreak havoc on your irrigation system and your landscape. That’s why advanced filtration systems need to be in place.
These systems filter out debris, sediment, and contaminants, ensuring that only clean water flows through your irrigation system - from the source to your pump station, to your sprinklers and your plants. It also cuts out the necessity for the application of harmful chemicals to combat contaminants that clog and degrade both irrigation systems and the water they deliver. 
We've seen the damage caused by a lack of efficient filtration and it's costly. That's why, although many systems rely on screen filtration, we only ever implement disc filtration. This is because our decades of experience shows that disc filtration is a far more effective solution for Florida irrigation systems.
There are many challenges we face in Florida when it comes to irrigation. With dwindling water supplies and more governmental guidelines to abide by, we think it’s critical that organizations start making smarter decisions when it comes to choosing irrigation systems.
If you know your current irrigation solution is falling short of the mark, a conversation with a partner that understands the challenges and has solutions to meet those challenges head on, is a conversation worth having.
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