Water Management Essential To Public Conservation
By Space Coast Daily // March 4, 2013
Helpful Tips
BREVARD COUNTY • COCOA, FLORIDA – Water conservation is a critical strategy in meeting the current and future water supply needs of Florida and it is particularly important when water levels are low because dry conditions.
To assist the public conserve water — often at little or no cost — the St. Johns River Water Management District has compiled a list of water conservation measures that will reduce water use.
• Check your irrigation controller. Make sure it is programmed to run no more than two days a week during Daylight Saving Time and that the run time per zone is appropriate. Run time information is available at floridaswater.com/waterconservation/savingwater/amounts.html.
• Turn off the controller if we have had or are expecting rain and ensure your rain sensor is working properly.
• Conduct an irrigation sprinkler-head check, adjusting sprinkler heads so they are watering only your landscape. Look for leaking or broken sprinkler heads.
• Inspect your landscape shrub areas for sprinkler heads that could be capped. Once established, site-appropriate shrubs do not need frequent watering.
• Check all water fixtures inside and outside your house for leaks, and change washers that leak. Leak detection information is available at floridaswater.com/waterconservation/savingwater/leakdetection.html.
• If you plan to purchase a water fixture, look for the WaterSense label. If buying an appliance, look for the ENERGY STAR label. Both labels provide efficiency and performance information.
• Select flow restrictors for existing faucets, even in the kitchen. Lavatory faucets can be as low as 1 gallon per minute. For more information aboutfaucets, visit floridaswater.com/waterconservation/savingwater/faucets.html.
• If you have a toilet that uses more than 1.6 gallons of water per flush (many flush 3.5 or even 5 gallons), than a high efficiency toilet is a great investment.
• A dual-flush kit for your 1.6 GPF toilet can convert your toilet to dual-flush technology.
• New on the market are rotary nozzles for your irrigation system that can use up to 50 percent less water and are pressure regulated.
• Use a pool cover. Evaporation rates can be as much as 7,500 gallons per year.
For more water conservation tips, visit floridaswater.com/waterconservation.
