Before buying in The Acreage, identify the irrigation water source and have the working system checked. Run each zone, review the pump and controls, and confirm the areas actually served. A sprinkler demonstration does not establish drinking-water quality or guarantee future performance.
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A large yard can have lawn zones, garden lines and areas with no irrigation at all. Confirm what is installed on the specific property rather than assuming a green lawn means the whole lot is covered. Ask the seller for the zone layout, equipment records and any recent repairs, then arrange a demonstration within your contract deadlines.
How the irrigation system is supplied
Start by tracing the source. The system may use a dedicated irrigation well, a shared well or another authorized supply. Confirm it on site and through available records; do not assume a neighboring property's setup applies to this one.
- A pump supplies water when the source requires one; ask a qualified professional to assess flow, pressure and operation under load.
- Some configurations include a pressure tank. Identify what is present and ask how its controls operate rather than treating a tank as universal.
- Underground piping and valves route water to separate zones.
- Spray heads, rotors or drip emitters deliver water to the intended planting areas.
- The controller schedules operation; check any rain or soil-moisture shutoff and obtain programming instructions.
- Filters and any treatment equipment need identification and maintenance records.
Ask whether the house and irrigation share equipment. If they do, have the professional explain how simultaneous use affects operation and how the connections are protected. Irrigation operation alone is not a drinking-water assessment.
What to check before closing
Ask your home inspector whether irrigation is included in the agreement. If it is excluded or needs deeper evaluation, arrange a separate irrigation professional. Document access limitations and allow time for written findings and quotes.
- Pump operation and records - Have the pump evaluated while zones run. Age and service history help planning, but neither establishes its remaining life.
- Pressure tank, if installed - Have the professional check the tank and controls. Rapid cycling or uneven pressure needs diagnosis; it does not identify one failed part by itself.
- Every sprinkler zone - Operate each zone with permission and appropriate supervision. Note missing, broken or misaligned heads and whether the intended areas receive water.
- Buried lines and valves - Look for persistent wet spots, unusual flow and visible leaks. Soft ground can have other causes, so obtain a diagnosis before assuming a pipe repair.
- Controller and shutoff - Test the available functions, check the rain or soil-moisture shutoff and confirm that manuals and replacement parts are available.
- Coverage and future plans - Compare the zone layout with the lawn, trees and beds you intend to maintain. Unwatered space may need a design change rather than a simple repair.
- Staining and water chemistry - Orange or rust-colored marks can be associated with iron-bearing irrigation water. Appearance does not establish concentration, drinking safety or the right treatment; use testing and qualified advice.
- Drip lines and filters - Check for plugged emitters, damaged lines and filtration needs. Confirm that the plants receive water without assuming the lawn schedule suits every planting.
Common symptoms and watering rules
Dry patches, overspray, clogged heads and leaks deserve attention, but a symptom is not a complete diagnosis. UF/IFAS recommends checking heads, alignment, leaks and controller settings, then calibrating zones to understand how much water they apply. A professional can separate a coverage problem from a supply or equipment problem.
Well water is not exempt from landscape watering restrictions. SFWMD's year-round rules apply to private wells and other conventional sources, with defined exceptions. Allowed days depend on the location and address. Check the District's current lookup, applicable local rules and any temporary shortage order before programming the controller.
Landscape rules distinguish activities such as hand watering, certain low-volume methods, maintenance and permitted agricultural uses. Do not assume a garden, horse area or large lot automatically qualifies for an exemption. Ask the responsible authority about the actual use.
If a well also supplies drinking water, arrange an appropriate separate water test. Florida DOH recommends annual bacteria and nitrate testing for private drinking wells; that recommendation is not a blanket statewide routine-testing mandate. Ask the county health department or a certified laboratory about the sample location and any additional tests for the property. See our Acreage well-water guide.
Use the findings in your purchase plan
A working system can be useful to a buyer who wants to maintain the existing landscape. It does not guarantee a resale premium or eliminate future repairs. Get property-specific written quotes for defects and proposed changes; avoid treating a generic replacement range as a bid for this lot.
The tradeoff is ongoing responsibility for controls, filters, heads, lines and any pump or treatment equipment. Ask who services the system and what needs attention now. Match the landscape you want with the time and maintenance you are willing to take on.
Schedule the system demonstration, written report and any follow-up within your signed contract's inspection and notice deadlines. Discuss access problems or contract questions with your agent or attorney before a deadline passes.
Explore The Acreage homes and our Acreage septic guide when reviewing the rest of the property systems.
Selling a home before you buy?
We can plan the sale and purchase timelines together. Gather irrigation service records and describe known issues accurately so buyers can evaluate the equipment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Acreage sprinkler systems always use a private well?
What should an irrigation inspection cover?
Do orange stains mean the well needs treatment?
Do watering restrictions apply to a private well?
Is irrigation included in a home inspection?
Does running the sprinklers show that well water is safe to drink?
Buying in The Acreage? Tell Brian which property and systems you need to understand. We can help coordinate the inspection timeline and the right follow-up questions.
Brian: 561-201-4717. Spanish: Lucy Lopez, 561-285-8809.
Brian Wilder
Wilder Real Estate Group at Keller Williams Realty
1,500+ homes sold. Investing in Palm Beach County real estate since 1996, licensed agent since 1998.
561-201-4717 | Lucy Lopez: 561-285-8809
Brian@WilderREG.com
Sources checked October 28, 2026: SFWMD landscape watering rules; UF/IFAS irrigation maintenance; and Florida DOH private-well testing.