Water Resources

• Best Management Practices

  Agricultural Best Management Practices (BMPs) are practical measures that producers can take to reduce the amount of fertilizers, pesticides, animal waste, and other pollutants entering our water resources. They are designed to improve water quality while maintaining agricultural production.

  UF/IFAS Sites

  • Pesticide Information Office

  UF/IFAS Publications

  • Best Management Practices for Protection of Water Resources in Florida (pdf)
  • Landscape Irrigation and Fertilization
  • Total Maximum Daily Loads and Agricultural BMPs in Florida
• Watershed

  A watershed is an area of land within which rainfall flows downhill to a stream, river, lake, or bay. Watersheds exist at every scale from within a community to several states in size. Florida has 52 large-scale watersheds which are largely identified by the major river, estuarine, or lake systems they contribute to.

  UF/IFAS Publications

  • Water Law and Policy
  • Watersheds: Functions and Management

  Other Sites & Publications

  • Florida DEP Watershed Management Program
  • Surf Your Watershed--EPA
  • Water Atlas Program--USF
• Irrigation

  Irrigation is used to provide water needed by plants that is not provided by rainfall. How irrigation is managed and the type of water used for irrigation varies throughout the state depending on the particular crop and resources available. A fundamental component of efficient irrigation is to determine the quantity of irrigation needed and when to apply it, or irrigation scheduling.

  UF/IFAS Sites

  • Reclaimed Water
  • Using Water Wisely: Lawn Care & Irrigation

  UF/IFAS Publications

  • Irrigation Systems
  • Landscape Irrigation and Fertilization
  • Water Conservation
• Law & Policy

  As population in the state continues to grow, Florida must enhance and protect its domestic water supply while also meeting the water requirements of agriculture, horticulture, tourism, and industry, as well as the state's natural systems, all without placing undue pressure on its finite resources and providing for economic vitality. Florida's policies, regulations, and planning evolve over time to provide the framework for water resource use, protection and economic development.

  UF/IFAS Publications

  • Handbook of Florida Water Regulation
  • Handbook of Florida Water Regulation (en español)
  • Water Law and Policy

  Other Sites & Publications

  • Florida Water Management Districts
• Water Conservation

  Florida has an abundance of water, but still faces an increased pressure on water resources because of a growing population, prosperous tourism, and an active agricultural industry. Conserving water is something that everyone can do to decrease the pressure on water resources.

  UF/IFAS Sites

  • Using Water Wisely: Water Conservation

  UF/IFAS Publications

  • Water Conservation
• Water Management

  UF/IFAS Sites

  • Ecosystem Health--Florida Sea Grant
  • Florida Water Quality Information System

  UF/IFAS Publications

  • Water Resource Management
• Drinking Water

  UF/IFAS Publications

  • Drinking Water
  • Waterborne Pathogens