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Charles H. Bronson, Commissioner    -    Richard J. Budell, Director

Florida Mobile Irrigation Laboratories (MILs)

For more than a decade, partnership-based Mobile Irrigation Labs (MIL’s) have been operating throughout the State of Florida. Presently, there are 22 MILs providing service in 46 counties. Of the 22 MILs, 10 are agricultural and 12 are urban.

These MILs operate within and receive support from the five Water Management Districts, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), selected counties, and/or selected utilities in the State.

Each MIL consists of a one- or two-person team, a vehicle, and field equipment. The MIL services are free-of-charge and provide site-specific expertise in analyzing irrigation systems and educating property owners on how to improve water conservation and use. The MIL’s provide recommendations on the improvement of existing irrigation systems and equipment, and educate their customers and the general public on water conservation, irrigation planning and irrigation management.

Although the MILs originally targeted agricultural water use, they also focus on residential and commercial water users. Landscapes, nurseries, and golf courses have benefited greatly from the advice and education provided by the MILs, since they provide an economical way of promoting and providing water conservation. In addition to providing recommendations on irrigation system improvements, MIL’s also provide valuable assistance to the farmer by identifying water conservation and water quality improvement opportunities, such as water conservation programs and Best Management Practices (BMPs).

For the year 2006/07, these MILs can save a minimum of 3.2 billion gallons a year throughout the State, if all their evaluation recommendations are implemented. The cost to conserve water through MIL services is very competitive, when compared to the costs to develop new sources of water.