Irrigation Resources

The wells are not owned by the residents, and neither residents nor an individual homeowners’ association can independently pull water from irrigation wells for their own use. The WVID holds easements, as necessary, which provides it access to the wells for operation and maintenance needs.

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) issued a 50-year water use permit to the WVID and the master developer. This permit allows the WVID to utilize reclaimed water, surface water from lakes, and to pull water from the wells for irrigation and recreational purposes. The permit also governs how much water is allocated to the WVID in a given period.

The SWFWMD strictly governs how much irrigation water can be used during a given period. If the WVID uses more water than the permit allows, the district could be at risk of penalties, including the potential of losing its water permit, meaning the district would no longer have access to irrigation water.

Individual neighborhood developers generally fund the cost of installation of both new master and neighborhood irrigation water infrastructure. Once the master irrigation infrastructure is completed, the WVID assumes the responsibilities of operating and maintaining the system.

The cost to operate the irrigation is currently being deficit funded by the master developer through a funding agreement. This is due to the relative infancy of the utility program and is not a long-term funding structure. While these operating costs may be repaid, at least in part, from future irrigation operating funds or bond proceeds, it means that there is currently no bond debt related to operating the district’s irrigation program.

The irrigation fees are charged to all the property owners using irrigation water provided by the district. Property or homeowners’ associations for each development include fees in their budgets.

The WVID conducted an independent rate study from an industry expert to determine the appropriate level of irrigation rates. Irrigation fees include both fixed and variable rate components, and some rates vary based on water consumption.

Water conservation is a key element of the water conservation of the water use permit. In accordance with that permit, the WVID and The Ranch Land Operations, an affiliate of the master developer, are required to implement SWFWMD-approved water conservation plans. This plan requires the District to supply irrigation water based on the SWFWMD’s AGMOD model and ensure compliance. It also calls on customers, such as homeowners associations, to create and implement their own water conservation plans.

The goal of the water use permit is conservation, allowing for an efficient use of a finite resource. The SWFWMD and the WVID encourage customers to follow best irrigation practices, such as:

• Watering your lawn on designated days. Lawn watering is limited to twice per week, and customers must adhere to all City of North Port and SWFWMD watering restrictions.
• Watering your lawn before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m. Since evaporation loss can be 60% higher during the day, watering your lawn during the early morning or late evenings minimizes evaporation and supports conservation efforts. Also avoid watering on windy days.
• Monitoring rainfall and updating your watering schedule accordingly. Be sure your automatic sprinkler system is equipped with a working rain shutoff device, which overrides the system when enough rain has fallen and automatically resets when the turn needs more water. Regularly check your device to make sure it is working properly and the switch in the control box is set to “on.”
• Watering your lawn only as much as needed. Most Florida soils need an average of one-half to three-quarters of an inch of water per application to replenish the grass. An automatic system can provide an efficient method of irrigating lawns since controllers turn the system off after a predetermined amount of water is applied.
• Regularly checking your sprinkler heads. Make sure that sprinkler heads are working properly and appropriately positioned to avoid watering paved or non-landscaped areas.

For more information about water resources, visit the swfwmd.state.fl.us.