Residential Fertilizer

What is the Problem with Residential Fertilizer?

Scientists from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection developed a modeling tool to figure out what is negatively impacting the water quality in our springs and found that the top two contributors to reduced water quality are nitrogen from septic tanks and urban turfgrass (also known as residential) fertilizers.

How did this happen?

In Florida, summer rains don’t water fertilizer in – they wash it off our lawns and into our rivers, lakes, springs and oceans, where it can cause algae blooms, fish kills and dead zones.

The incorrect use of fertilizer and the increased number of yards that are being fertilized all contribute to this issue. Continue reading to learn more about how you can reduce your impact.

What can I do?

Want to make an impact right now at no cost to you?

• Be Floridian Now

Does a professional care for your lawn? Are you interested in replacing your turfgrass with something else? For more information on fertilizing or for other resources, Visit the Volusia County's Be Floridian Now information

• Water less

Only water your landscape if your plants are showing signs of stress, like if the leaves of your plants are curling, or you can see footprints in your lawn.

See Volusia County Environmental Management’s Water Conservation webpage for more information: County of Volusia-Water Conservation

• Reclaimed water

Reclaimed water contains nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus; the amount of nutrients can vary depending on which Wastewater Treatment Plant the reclaimed water is supplied from. If you’re using reclaimed water in your yard, keep an eye on the health and appearance of your plants, because you may not need to use fertilizer.

To learn more about reclaimed water, see the wastewater and reclaimed water. sections of the pie chart.

What is the County doing?

• Fertilizer Ordinance
  • We’ve passed a fertilizer ordinance with restrictions to protect water quality, mentioned above. You can find out more about the fertilizer ordinance here:
    • County of Volusia-Fertilizer Ordinance
• Education and Outreach
  • We’re busy spreading the word on water quality far and wide through our Be Floridian Now program! We’ve been engaging with the community through presentations, programs, festivals and events throughout the county. 
  • In addition to in-person outreach, we have also been promoting fertilizer education in virtual settings through Facebook posts, our quarterly e-newsletter, and webinars.
• Irrigation education and enforcement
  • We’re working with the St. Johns River Water Management District to educate people about how and when to “Water Less.” We’re also responding to reports of watering violations. See our website for more information: County of Volusia-Watering Days
• Promoting collaboration
  • We’ve been working with stores that sell fertilizer to put educational materials next to their fertilizer sections. Because the state still permits the sale of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer in the summer, even though the county bans their use, we are diligently working to spread awareness about the impacts these nutrients can have on water quality. See a story about these partnerships here: Promoting Awareness of Volusia County's Fertilizer Ban
• Seeking data-driven approaches
  • In an effort to better understand stakeholder perspectives on the issue of fertilizer nutrients and water quality, we’ve partnered with Stetson University to conduct a research study to survey landscapers and stores selling fertilizer across the county.
  • We’re also working with the University of Florida, Stetson University, and the St. Johns River Water Management District on long-term initiatives related to Homeowners Association fertilizer practices.
• Training for fertilizer applicators
  • For commercial fertilizer applicators, we’re working with Volusia County’s UF/IFAS Extension office to provide Green Industries Best Management Practices (GI-BMP) training. Learn more about the GI-BMPs here: Florida Friendly Landscaping-GI-BMP Training & Program Overview
• Landscaping and fertilizing choices in county operations
  • Throughout county operations, we’re implementing our landscaping ordinances such as the Waterwise Landscape Irrigation Ordinance, and the Tree Preservation Ordinance.
  • We also follow our own fertilizer ordinance within our county operations.