Due To Watering Restrictions, Tropical Irrigation Owners Say: “Upgrade Sprinkler System For Greener Lawns”

By Nicol Jenkins
Editor

“Now is the time,” said Ray Panzer, “to upgrade your sprinkler system.”

With continued once-a-week watering restrictions, Ray Panzer and his partner, Jason Almodovar, co-owners of Tropical Irrigation And Landscaping Inc., a lawn sprinkler company, say upgrading is the only way to keep lawns looking greener.

“Due to the fact that it is now only once-a-week watering, the sprinkler system needs to be 100 percent operable, covering both landscape and grass areas,” Panzer said. “It’s time to get the most out of your system and make it more efficient. This will help to save water in the long run and produce greener lawns.”

Hand watering with one hose fitted with an automatic shut-off nozzle is allowed for 10 minutes per day for landscape stress relief and to prevent plants and shrubs from dying.

“It has never been this bad. It’s a very critical time in terms of watering,” said Panzer. “Lawns are turning brown due to inadequate watering and service is key. You don’t want to over water or under water and setting time clocks to the proper number of minutes per zone will make the system more efficient for landscape and grass areas.”

Having been in the lawn irrigation business for over 30 years, the co-owners can certainly say they have the expertise to keep lawns fresh, even during this drought.

Watering restrictions were imposed on homes and businesses from Orlando to the Keys including Coral Springs beginning Jan. 15 because of the historic water shortage. Lake Okeechobee, South Florida’s primary backup water source, has dropped to an all-time low with a water level of 10.8 feet as of March 3- more than 4 feet below the historic average for this time of year. That threatens to leave less water to refill agriculture’s irrigation canals, restock drinking-water well fields and replenish the Everglades.

Water restrictions include:

• Residents and businesses of Okeechobee, St. Lucie, Martin, Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Hendry and Glades counties are limited to a one-day-per-week landscape irrigation schedule with two “watering windows.”

• Odd street addresses may irrigate lawns and landscapes Mondays between 4 a.m. and 8 a.m. or 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.

• Even street addresses may irrigate lawns and landscapes Thursdays between 4 a.m. and 8 a.m. or 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. Residences and businesses with more than five acres have expanded irrigation hours, between 12 a.m. and 8 a.m. or 4 p.m. and 11:59 p.m. on the designated irrigation day.

“Being in the business over 30 years, we can call ourselves experts and we know what lawns and landscapes need,” the owners said. Ray Panzer, former owner of Sunshine Sprinkler Systems for 25 years, is now back in business with his son-in-law, Jason.

Jason Almodovar worked in the lawn irrigation and landscaping business in Orlando, and a year ago they opened Tropical Irrigation, Inc., in Coral Springs and Parkland. Tropical Irrigation offers full service yearly maintenance contracts, replacement of time clocks, pumps and valves, re-routing of sprinkler systems around pools, driveways, and landscaping.

“Living here for so many years, we take pride in serving our neighbors and community,” the owners said.

“Tropical Irrigation also wants our customers to know that if they are building a room addition, extending a driveway, adding a new patio, pool, or exterior home addition, they should call us for a free estimate,” Almodovar said. “We guarantee 100 percent customer service and we only use the highest quality parts. Plus, we’d like our customers to know that we always offer 15 percent off their first home service.”

“We are confident in our workmanship and our goal is to make sure our customers are satisfied,” Panzer added.

So, if you are making changes to your property or just want to upgrade your sprinkler system, call Tropical Irrigation for a free estimate.

Tropical Irrigation And Landscaping, Inc. is open 7 days a week. Call 954-418-8075 or 954-415-0171.