Citrus County Water Resources Works with Inverness Middle School Students to Plan Water-Saving Initiatives

CITRUS COUNTY, Fla. (Oct. 5, 2026) — More than 200 sixth-grade science students at Inverness Middle School celebrated Save Our Waters Week in a unique way — by tackling water pollution.

IMS Media Specialist Sharon Autry, Water Conservation Specialists Jason Morton and Tal Hradsky, and FFL Program Coordinator Dalena Rogers guided students through an interactive lesson on sources of pollution and how everyday actions can have a significant impact on local water resources.

Students learned about the water resources found throughout Citrus County and how much of the county lies within springsheds connected to the Floridan aquifer. They gathered around a 3D model that demonstrated how pollutants can move across a landscape and enter nearby waterways.

Students watched as the model’s once-clean lake became polluted by runoff from neighborhoods, roads, agricultural areas and other parts of the community. They were then challenged to find solutions.

Working together, students identified ways to reduce runoff. Their ideas ranged from protecting and restoring wetlands and improving wastewater management to changing community practices and simply picking up pet waste.

Students then put their ideas into action on the model and compared the condition of the lake before and after their pollution-prevention strategies were implemented.

“Hands-on demonstrations like this are so important for getting students engaged in real-world problems,” Rogers said. “Students can take what they learn from these activities home with them and can help protect our springs and water resources in Citrus County.”

The lesson gave students a close-up look at how choices made by individuals, communities, businesses and industries can add up across an entire watershed, demonstrating how everyone has a role to play in protecting Citrus County’s waters.

Citrus County Water Conservation helps educate and support residents in implementing water-saving measures. To learn more about its work and programs, visit https://www.citruscounty.gov/departments/water_resources/water_conservation/index.php.

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