Ways to Be Wise About Water in Seminole County This Summer

Water is part of what makes Seminole County, Florida’s Natural Choice, so special. In fact, roughly 40 percent of the county is made up of water, with approximately 200 miles of rivers and streams flowing through our communities.

As Central Florida faces growing water resource challenges, Seminole County continues taking a proactive approach to water management through its Holistic Water Policy. The policy focuses on protecting limited water resources, supporting environmental sustainability, and helping residents understand how groundwater, drinking water, reclaimed water, surface water, and stormwater are all connected.

Protecting these natural resources is a shared responsibility; we can all play a role in conserving water and protecting Seminole County’s waterways for future generations.

Start With Outdoor Irrigation

Outdoor irrigation accounts for more than 50 percent of water use in Seminole County. Residents and businesses are encouraged to follow local irrigation guidelines by watering only on designated days and avoiding irrigation between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. when evaporation rates are highest.

Seminole County water utility customers can also take advantage of free irrigation evaluations. During the evaluation, a licensed irrigation professional helps set your timer, identifies leaks, checks rain sensors, and recommends ways to improve efficiency.

In fiscal year 2025, more than 1,530 residential irrigation systems were evaluated, and 777 rain sensors were repaired through the program. Florida law also requires all automatic irrigation systems to have a functional rain shutoff device, which typically lasts about two to three years.

Upgrade To Save Water

Residents are also encouraged to take a closer look at indoor fixtures. Older toilets can use as much as six gallons of water per flush, while newer high-efficiency models use less than 1.28 gallons per flush. Seminole County water utility customers who upgrade to a qualifying high-efficiency toilet may be eligible for a rebate of up to $200.

The Water Conservation Rebate Program also includes rebates for other high-efficiency fixtures, including faucets, showerheads, and WaterSense-labeled smart irrigation controllers. Rebate details and eligibility requirements can be found at SeminoleCountyFL.gov/ WaterConservationRebate.

Rain Check on Fertilizer

Every home in Seminole County is part of a watershed. The rain that falls onto your yard and our streets flows into county and city stormwater drainage systems and eventually into nearby streams, ponds, and lakes. Along the way, stormwater runoff can carry pollutants such as fertilizer, grass clippings, oil, and other debris directly into local waterways.

That’s why following Seminole County’s Fertilizer Ordinance is so important. From June 1 through September 30, fertilizers containing nitrogen or phosphorus cannot be applied to lawns because heavy summer rain can quickly wash nutrients into storm drains and waterways. Excess nutrients can contribute to algae growth and harm water quality in local lakes and rivers.

Outside of the summer restricted period, homeowners should also check fertilizer labels to make sure products contain at least 65 percent slow-release nitrogen, which is required in Seminole County. For more information about the Seminole County Fertilizer Ordinance, visit FertilizeFlorida.com.

Get Involved

Residents can also help protect local waterways by getting involved in the community. The Seminole Education, Restoration and Volunteer (SERV) Program leads volunteer events that restore and protect Seminole County’s waterways and natural areas.

In May, volunteers planted more than 4,700 native plants around Twin Lakes and Buttonwood Pond in Longwood. The projects included installation of cypress trees, maple trees, pickerelweed, bulrush, and golden canna. These shoreline plants help naturally filter runoff, improve water quality, and support wildlife habitat.

Ashleigh Riggio is the Public Communications Specialist for Seminole County’s Office of Communications.