WATER RESOURCES

The Water Resources Program at UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County offers FREE irrigation evaluations to residents, homeowner/neighborhood associations, and businesses within Sarasota County. An irrigation evaluation checks overall irrigation system efficiency, helping you save water and money!

"When the well is dry, we know the worth of water." — Benjamin Franklin (1746)

Sarasota County is rich with water resources. From the wild and scenic Myakka River to our award-winning beaches, water is at the heart of Sarasota's bustling economy and outstanding quality of life, making Sarasota County truly a great place to live, work, and play.

With water seemingly everywhere, its protection is often overlooked. Excessive groundwater withdrawal and inadvertent nutrient pollution threaten these vital resources. Through community education and professional training, the Water Resources Program works to instill an ethic of water resource protection across Sarasota County.

Areas of Focus

Landscape Water Conservation

On average, Florida residents who run automatic irrigation systems use more than 50 percent of their total water consumption outdoors. Of the large amount of water used for irrigation, studies estimate that system inefficiencies waste about 30 percent. Through proper system maintenance and emerging technologies like smart sensors and matched-precipitation nozzles, we can dramatically reduce our overall water consumption.

To meet this need, we offer several classes and services including:

• Free irrigation evaluations for residents, HOAs, and businesses in Sarasota County
• Irrigation best practices classes (in-person and online)
• "DIY Drip Irrigation" in-person workshops (includes a free drip conversion kit!)
• FNGLA FCLIST certification reviews and exams (for professionals)

Drinking Water Education

Being kind to our environment starts with simple — sometimes overlooked — behaviors. Drinking water from our taps can helps save money, reduce plastic use, and even conserve water. Learn what it means to drink local and see how Sarasota County keeps your tap water safe and delicious.

Stormwater Pond Education

Stormwater ponds are the primary way in which we manage runoff and protect water quality. These engineered ponds are designed to capture runoff from storms, mitigate flooding, and improve water quality before the runoff moves on to our natural water resources.

When managed well, these ponds can be beautiful assets to a community. Mismanaged, however, a stormwater pond can become the source of frustration for residents and community managers. In addition to classes on stormwater pond best management practices, the Water Resources Program offers site visits and technical assistance for community and neighborhood ponds in Sarasota County.

Stewardship and Citizen Science

As educators, the most effective way to make lasting positive change in our environment is to inspire citizens to fall in love with our natural resources and engage residents in ways to join the scientific community. The Water Resources Program offers several opportunities for residents to learn stewardship, interpretation, and data collection skills.

• Florida Waters Stewardship Program: a multi-week workshop that teaches participants about issues facing our water resources, improves communication and stewardship skills. FWSP combines classroom education with engaging field trips and activities, to enhance the educational experience.
• Florida Master Naturalist Program: a program to teach those who teach. FMNP instills a deep appreciation and understanding of our natural resources and teaches attendees how to interpret natural sciences to those around them.
• Florida LAKEWATCH: a citizen science initiative dating back to 1986. Volunteers collect monthly samples of a designated body of fresh water and submit the samples to UF/IFAS for analysis, helping to build a statewide data set. (Email Water Resources Agent Michael D'Imperio for more information).
• Florida Microplastics Awareness Project: monitors the concentration of microplastics in local waterbodies. Volunteers collect monthly water samples from a designated area, process the samples for microplastics, and submit the results to UF/IFAS Extension and Florida Sea Grant to augment an ongoing data capture effort. (Email Water Resources Agent Michael D'Imperio for more information)