Lawn Irrigation - Schedule and Source of Water

[JRP2TV]

What days are the “official” lawn irrigation days for district 13 (south of 44) and is that legally mandated or just a suggestion?

Where do we truly get our irrigation water from? Some say the retention ponds, but others say those are just for The Villages golf courses and common areas.

If we got water from the retention ponds, I would think the charges for it would be lower that what they actually are. Plus on the bill, it looks like it comes from the county, not The Villages.

[Bogie Shooter]

Here you go!
Village Community Development Districts (https://districtgov.org/departments/Utilities/irrigation.aspx)

[villagetinker]

When we purchased our house we were given a "schedule", which if everyone followed, this would avoid adjacent neighbors watering on the same day. Based on my experience no one follows the schedule, so we have and agreement with our neighbors about watering schedule. I cannot comment about your water bill as i do not live in that area.

[Pondboy]

In your garage, there is a plastic “cabinet” that covers your lawns irrigation controller. On the door, is a sticker that says what your houses irrigation days are.

I deviate if they call for rain on a lawn watering date….if not enough falls, I water the next day.

Here’s a link to some maps that that show what each ponds purpose is. It only goes up to district 12, so your ponds won’t be on it. But, just to give you an idea of the extent and complexity of the system.

Useful Maps (https://www.districtgov.org/maps.aspx)

[JRP2TV]

In your garage, there is a plastic “cabinet” that covers your lawns irrigation controller. On the door, is a sticker that says what your houses irrigation days are.

I deviate if they call for rain on a lawn watering date….if not enough falls, I water the next day.

Here’s a link to some maps that that show what each ponds purpose is. It only goes up to district 12, so your ponds won’t be on it. But, just to give you an idea of the extent and complexity of the system.

Useful Maps (https://www.districtgov.org/maps.aspx)

Love those maps. They really are useful. Thank you kindly.

[Altavia]

Water is from retention pond and lower Florida aquifer. It is treated before distribution (but not drinkable).

Sprinkler heads need to be checked/adjusted every 3 month. I usually find 1-2 heads that need to be replaced.

A WIFI irrigation like B-Hyve makes it easy to make changes.

Watering recommendation from Deans, smaller yards probably have the low flow MP heads.

[BrianL99]

Water is from retention pond and lower Florida aquifer. It is treated before distribution (but not drinkable).


That is wrong. It depends on where in The Villages you're located.

Village Community Development Districts (https://districtgov.org/departments/Utilities/irrigation.aspx)

[Altavia]

That is wrong. It depends on where in The Villages you're located.

Village Community Development Districts (https://districtgov.org/departments/Utilities/irrigation.aspx)


Really?

OP is South of 44...

[Garywt]

Most use reclaimed water. What that actually means or where it comes from, others will know better. We are up north, our water is the same as our drinking water. We get billed directly from the water company so it is not part of our amenities bill. We have other differences than many of the Villages homes because of the county we live in.

[midiwiz]

What days are the “official” lawn irrigation days for district 13 (south of 44) and is that legally mandated or just a suggestion?

Where do we truly get our irrigation water from? Some say the retention ponds, but others say those are just for The Villages golf courses and common areas.

If we got water from the retention ponds, I would think the charges for it would be lower that what they actually are. Plus on the bill, it looks like it comes from the county, not The Villages.

various water sources cited, I'm told it's all reclamation... basically sewer water that gets super filtered. yet here they overcharge for it. before we moved here reclamation only cost me $6 per month unlimited usage.

[Bogie Shooter]

various water sources cited, I'm told it's all reclamation... basically sewer water that gets super filtered. yet here they overcharge for it. before we moved here reclamation only cost me $6 per month unlimited usage.

You may have been told wrong.
Visit link in post #2.

[RICH1]

The I am going to do” what I want when I want “ … and that apples to my lawn watering …. Easter is coming and most of our problems will vanish… we will be left with picking on our own

[Lindaws]

Not from ponds. Twice a week during dry season (Dec to June1) You set days ,
before 8am.

[bark4me]

Water is from retention pond and lower Florida aquifer. It is treated before distribution (but not drinkable).

Sprinkler heads need to be checked/adjusted every 3 month. I usually find 1-2 heads that need to be replaced.

A WIFI irrigation like B-Hyve makes it easy to make changes.

Watering recommendation from Deans, smaller yards probably have the low flow MP heads.
Based on my experience, the MP rotars due use less water, however to get the same amount of irrigation to your lawn, the system has to run longer. So now you pay more in electricity. I've changed out my MP heads to Pro pop up heads.

[KsJayhawkers]

You most likely have Scotts ProVista St. Augustine turf as many of us south of 44. ProVista is fairly new to TV and a lot of homes are seeing "root rot" from too much watering and lack of drainage. The extension office is recommending ProVista turf only receive 3/4 inch of water per week. It is a VERY low maintenance grass but it does not do well when over-watered.

[Bogie Shooter]

Based on my experience, the MP rotars due use less water, however to get the same amount of irrigation to your lawn, the system has to run longer. So now you pay more in electricity. I've changed out my MP heads to Pro pop up heads.

How is electricity used in your irrigation system? In mine it runs the clock and valves. Hard to believe that is a big draw of electricity.

[Altavia]

Based on my experience, the MP rotars due use less water, however to get the same amount of irrigation to your lawn, the system has to run longer. So now you pay more in electricity. I've changed out my MP heads to Pro pop up heads.

You may save a few penny's running the valves a shorter time but likely waste dollars of water in runoff...

[Garywt]

The I am going to do” what I want when I want “ … and that apples to my lawn watering …. Easter is coming and most of our problems will vanish… we will be left with picking on our own

The rules don’t apply to me type, interesting, most don’t claim it.

[blueash]

You most likely have Scotts ProVista St. Augustine turf as many of us south of 44. ProVista is fairly new to TV and a lot of homes are seeing "root rot" from too much watering and lack of drainage. The extension office is recommending ProVista turf only receive 3/4 inch of water per week. It is a VERY low maintenance grass but it does not do well when over-watered.


The average rainfall per week in May and Oct is 3/4 inch, in June is 2 inches, July is 2 inches, August and Sept is 1 1/4 inch. If this grass does not do well with over 3/4 inch a week you are in big trouble during our several months of rainy season and certainly would not be running your irrigation for your lawn at all those months.

Scott's [the grass company (https://provistaturf.com/homeowners/why-scotts-provista)] says this about watering:

You should water your Scotts® ProVista™ turf in the same way you would for the relevant conventional varieties (e.g., St. Augustinegrass Floratam and Kentucky Bluegrass)Drought tolerance and water usage have not yet been fully tested for Scotts® ProVista™.

Given that ® ProVista™ was bred to deliver improved plant efficiency, we are actively testing the turf to quantify drought tolerance and reduced water usage.

I would have thought Scott would have established the water need of the grass it was selling before it was marketed. Interestingly it does say that during the summer this grass needs to be cut only 1/2 as often as other grass types and less fertilizer. That should save you on mowing costs as you don't need to have it done weekly.

Scotts® ProVista™ was developed to require half the mowing of the relevant, conventional turf varieties (e.g., St. Augustinegrass Floratam and Kentucky Bluegrass).

Further, given its dense and slow growth, Scotts® ProVista™ has a deep, green color, thrives in both sun and shade, and requires less fertilizer to stay healthy and green

[Altavia]

Scotts(R) ProVista™–The Right Way to Water Sod (https://www.provistaturf.com/home-builders/caring-for-turfgrass/the-right-way-to-water-sod)


Aim to water 1½ inches per week. While your sod is actively growing you can either water ¾ of an inch twice a week, or the full 1½ inches once a week. If you receive that much in rainfall one week, plan to turn off your automatic sprinkler system during that time. Of course, always follow any guidelines for watering responsibly if your area is in a drought cycle.

And:

Watering a ProVista Lawn: 3 Big Tips (https://www.freshsod.com/watering-a-provista-lawn/)

During the hottest summer months, water your lawn at least twice per week. Provide ¾” of water during each watering session, penetrating deeply and spread evenly out across the entire lawn. From late fall to early spring, watering may only be required once per week, in the same ¾” amount. Avoid watering during a period of rain or immediately after applying fertilizer.

[Pairadocs]

The I am going to do” what I want when I want “ … and that apples to my lawn watering …. Easter is coming and most of our problems will vanish… we will be left with picking on our own

LOL, we know there will be PLENTY of that. Kind of a pattern to those who never miss an opportunity to be sarcastic, even cruel and insulting, to an unsuspecting person asking a genuine question. People ? What ever happened to "mamma said if you don't have something nice, or kind, to say, don't say anything at all" ...LOL !

One more comment, Easter is the first noticeable change in crowds and traffic, but May always seems to be THE marker many of us live for. It always brings mixed emotions, we really miss our friends who only spend winters here in their Florida house, and we shudder to think what the expenses here would be if everyone ONLY paid amenity fees in the months they actually occupied their villages vacation home... so, it's a "mixed bag" as they say. But I LOVE those wonderful months when things are so calm, even fewer "intoxicated people behaving badly, and the amount of GLASS and various car parts strewn at every intersection and round about, is so obviously LOWER !

Done anyone know the average total population of 100% full time, versus the average total population (Air B&B, Property of the Villages, and private rentals included) in months like Jan, Feb, and March ? The observable changes are DRAMATIC !

[Pondboy]

You may save a few penny's running the valves a shorter time but likely waste dollars of water in runoff...

Have two start times on your watering days. For example, I start at 4:00 AM, then I run another program to start at 7:00 AM. You won’t get any run off as the water has time to be absorbed.

I’d also recommend ( if your not doing it already) measuring each zones output (coffee cup method).

[Altavia]

Have two start times on your watering days. For example, I start at 4:00 AM, then I run another program to start at 7:00 AM. You won’t get any run off as the water has time to be absorbed.

I’d also recommend ( if your not doing it already) measuring each zones output (coffee cup method).

Yep, very easy to do with one of the wifi controllers.

[Velvet]

Life is too short for me to micromanage the lawn. I have a rain gauge on the roof so when there is enough rain the irrigation doesn’t turn on. The rest of the time I look at the grass when I remember. If it’s brown I up the timing if it’s soggy I reduce the time. But I have xoysia, it came with the house. The bushes and plants let me know if I should adjust the sprinkler heads.

[kkingston57]

How is electricity used in your irrigation system? In mine it runs the clock and valves. Hard to believe that is a big draw of electricity.

Had same thoughts. Appears writer might have thought they have a well/pump. Boxes are low voltage and probably use 12 volts and run 24/7