Water Conservation Tips

OUTDOOR WATER CONSERVATION FOR OUR FUTURE

Florida’s lifestyle depends on a clean, ample supply of water. As you read through these 10 ways to save water outdoors, you’ll notice that most are simply common sense. All are essential to ensuring an adequate water supply to you, your children, and your children’s children. It’s important that we all become aware and educated, and work together to protect our water resources.

1.      Don’t over water your lawn. As a general rule, lawns only need watering every five to seven days in the summer and every 10 to 14 days in the winter. A hearty rain eliminates the need for watering for up to two weeks. Buy a rain gauge and use it to determine how much rain your yard has received. Lawns only need one inch of water per week.

2.      Plant it smart. Xeriscape landscaping is a great way to design, install and maintain both your plants and irrigation system. More importantly, it will save time, money, and water. For your free guide to Xeriscape landscaping, contact your water management district.

3.      Water lawns during the early morning hours before 8:00 a.m. or after 8:00 p.m. when temperatures and wind speed are the lowest. This reduces losses from evaporation.

4.      Check sprinkler systems and timing devices regularly to be sure they operate properly. Florida law now requires that "anyone who purchases and installs an automatic lawn sprinkler system MUST install a rain sensor device or switch, which will override the irrigation cycle of the system when adequate rainfall has occurred." To retrofit your existing system, contact an irrigation professional for more information.

5.      Use mulch to retain moisture in the soil. Mulch also helps control weeds that compete with landscape plants for water.

6.      Plant native and/or drought-tolerant grasses, ground covers, shrubs, and trees. Once established, they do not need water as frequently and usually will survive a dry period without watering. Group plants together based on similar water needs.

7.      Do not hose down your driveway or sidewalk. Use a broom to clean leaves and other debris from these areas.

8.      Use a shut-off nozzle on your hose, which can be adjusted down to a fine spray so that water flows only as needed. When finished, turn it off at the faucet instead of at the nozzle to avoid leaks. Check hose connectors to make sure plastic or rubber washers are in place. Washers prevent leaks.

9.      Do not leave sprinklers or hoses unattended. A garden hose can pour out 600 gallons or more in only a few hours. Use a kitchen timer to remind yourself to turn sprinklers off.

10.  If you have a swimming pool, consider a new water-saving filter. A single backflushing with a traditional filter uses 180 to 250 gallons of water.

INDOOR WATER CONSERVATION FOR OUR FUTURE  

Florida’s lifestyle depends on a clean, ample supply of water. As you read through these 12 ways to save water indoors, you’ll notice that some are common sense and others are new innovations. All are essential to ensuring an adequate water supply to you, your children, and your grandchildren. It’s important that we all work together to protect our water resources.

1.      Never pour water down the drain when there may be another use for it such as watering a plant or garden.

2.      Verify that your home is leak free. Many homes have hidden water leaks. Read your water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter does not read exactly the same, there is a leak.

3.      Repair dripping faucets by replacing washers. If your faucet is dripping at a rate of one drop per second, you can expect to waste 2,700 gallons per year. This adds to the cost of water and sewer utilities, and can strain your septic system.

4.      Retrofit all household faucets by installing aerators with flow restrictors.

5.      Check for toilet tank leaks by adding food coloring to the tank. If the toilet is leaking, color will appear in the toilet bowl within 30 minutes. Check the toilet for worn out, corroded or bent parts. Most replacement parts are inexpensive, readily available, and easily installed. (Flush as soon as test is done, since food coloring may stain tank.)

6.      Take shorter showers. Replace your showerhead with an ultra-low-flow version. Some units are available that allow you to cut off the flow without adjusting the water temperature knobs.

7.      Operate automatic dishwashers and clothes washers only when they are fully loaded. Set the water level for the size of load you are using.

8.      When washing dishes by hand, fill one sink or basin with soapy water. Quickly rinse under a slow-moving stream from the faucet.

9.      Store drinking water in the refrigerator. Don’t let the tap run while you are waiting for cool water to flow.

10.  Do not use running water to thaw meat or other frozen foods. Defrost food overnight in the refrigerator or use the defrost setting on your microwave.

11.  Don’t let water run while shaving or washing your face. Brush your teeth first while waiting for water to get hot, then wash or shave after filling the basin.

12.  Avoid flushing the toilet unnecessarily. Dispose of tissues, insects and other similar waste in the trash rather than the toilet.

Encourage your friends and neighbors to be a part of a water-conscious community. Promote water conservation in community newsletters, on bulletin boards and most of all, by example.

Water Conservation Links

Ø       www.savewaterfl.com

Ø       www.h2ouse.org

Ø       www.wateruseitwisely.com

Ø       WaterWiser Drip Calculator

Ø       Drinktap.Org

Ø       Florida Yards and Neighborhoods - Osceola County Extension Office

Ø       floridayards.org

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