Welcome to Bellalago Isles of Bellalago Irrigation Page

Bellalago and Isles of Bellalago was developed in a series of phases. The initial phase included our amenities followed in subsequent phases with the boat lift and Bellalago Academy. Every neighborhood is somewhat unique in roads and landscaping. Though unique in their own way, irrigation supply was provided to all. Initially, irrigation was from potable water, then from our own lakes, and finally connecting to reclaimed water. The reclaimed water is free but only for a specific period of time.

The initial system selected, and still the company used today, is Maxicom. This is a computer system designed by the more commonly known company, Rain Bird.  Without a centrally controlled system, the amount of water available could be negatively impacted by low pressure and inadequate water distribution.

The Maxicom system has the ability to detect variations in water flow on specific zones throughout our community (i.e. broken sprinklers individual lines, and even the mainline) and alerts the appropriate individuals of issues.

In order to alert of irrigation failure, they system must be online and have the ability to communicate via a modem or phone line. The board of directors discovered two of the seven in-field systems had been offline since June of 2023. In addition, some of the systems were placed in the offline position. This resulted in our residents having no, or minimally sporadic, irrigation.

🔧 Short-Term Fixes in Progress

The Board of Directors has approved up to $104,000 to fund testing and targeted repairs of the existing Maxicom system. This includes replacing certain parts—possibly even using refurbished components—as a way to make some improvements in the short term. It’s important to note: this is not intended to be the final fix, but rather a way to keep things running while bigger solutions are explored.

🌿 Expert Advice from the Source

Outside experts—including representatives from RainBird (the maker of Maxicom)—have been brought in to provide honest insight into what can and can’t be done. Their advice has sometimes differed from what other vendors told us in the past. Additionally, another irrigation professional was invited to speak with the Board and the Landscaping Committee to review our vendor’s performance and explore other potential solutions.

📋 Audit Underway

A full irrigation audit was conducted in Forest Park, where issues were especially severe and more prolonged than any other section. The audit helped pinpoint the true scope of the problems and guided more informed decisions.

➡️ What’s Next?

The Board is not simply putting band-aids on a broken system. With advice from multiple experts, the audit results, and input from resident volunteers, the Landscaping Committee, and the Board, are working toward real, long-term solutions. These conversations will continue at Board and Committee meetings, where informed recommendations can be made.

The HOA is responsible for the distribution of irrigation water to each neighborhood within the community. This includes the maintenance and management of the Maxicom Computer System and the master valves, controllers and lines that control the actual distribution to each neighborhood. The HOA is also responsible for the maintenance and managements of all common area services. The cost of these services are included in your due paid to the association.

Homeowners are responsible for the irrigation components within their property limits. This includes zone valves, zone lines, and sprinkler heads that distribute water to their homeowner lots with a few exceptions. An exception to the zone valves exists for Forest Park, Mirabella, Summerland, Windward Oaks, Sunset Isles and Harborside. Homeowners responsibility also includes individual irrigation timers in the neighborhoods of Edgewater, Arbor Isle, Bella Isle, Nautic Isle, Wildwood Cover, Stillwater Landing, and Marina Isle.

A broken line or sprinkler head may affect system pressure and in some cases, when identified by Maxicom, the particular zone or area may need shut down negatively impacting multiple homeowners. The resident is also responsible to notify the Association in the event that they are not receiving water. In the neighborhoods of Edgewater, Arbor Isle, Bella Isle, Nautic Isle, Wildwood Cove, Stillwater Landing, and Marina Isle residents are responsible to set their individual timers to run at the designated time provided.

We are currently refining our process to report irrigation issues. If there is an irrigation problem with an individual homeowner lot (not townhome), you can use this form to report the issues you are experiencing. If you are reporting an irrigation problem for the townhomes or for HOA maintained areas, please call 866-378-1099.

The following information is taken from the Amended and Restated Declaration for Bellalago and Isle of Bellalago. This is one part of what is commonly referred to as our governing documents.

Section 8.4.5 states in part, "The conveyance of any Home to an Owner by Developer does not include the right to develop or utilize the ground, surface our storm water resources within such Home. 

Section 13.22 Irrigation states in part "No homeowner whose Home adjoins a waterway or lake may utilize the waterway or lake to irrigate unless so provided by Developer as part of original construction, subject to applicable permitting."

Section 13.48 states " Wells are prohibited."

TOHO Water Authority regulates our use of reclaimed water used for irrigation. Watering landscapes with reclaimed water saves our potable water supplies. Like other water sources, there is a limited amount of reclaimed water. Proper use by all reclaimed water customers will help ensure the continued availability of this resource. Unlike many business, TOHO Water wants you to less of their reclaimed water. To do so, they recommend checking your individual irrigation system once a month for leaks, and adjust sprinklers so only your lawn is watered and not the sidewalk, patio, house or street.

In Osceola County, reclaimed water is highly treated wastewater that's reused for purposes like irrigation, according to Osceola News Gazette and Toho Water Authority. It's not suitable for drinking or other human contact, but it's a sustainable and cost-effective water source for landscapes, golf courses, and parks.

Toho currently treats and pumps over 27 million gallons of reclaimed water each day. Reclaimed water is tested daily to ensure it complies with state and federal requirements.