Landscaping and Lawn Care

Zoom+ Millions of lawns in Florida communities are watered and fertilized regularly, contributing to the degradation of the aquifer and springs. © Russell Sparkman

The typical Florida yard seems to be little more than a "postage stamp" on the land. Yet, the collective impact of an estimated three-million postage stamp lawns is having a significant impact on both the quality and quantity of water in the aquifer. Many homeowners use varieties of grass requiring large amounts of fertilizer that contribute to high levels of nitrates in the aquifer, our source of drinking water. These nitrates in the water contribute to nuisance algae growth and can endanger fragile plants and wildlife species in the springs. The same lawns along with landscaping with non-native plants also require daily watering and frequent applications of chemical pesticides to keep them healthy and disease-free. Nearly fifty percent of all water withdrawn for public supply is used solely to water residential lawns and landscaping.