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Don't forget to check out the South Florida Water Management District's new educational Web site at www.savewaterfl.com. You can find information on conservation, water restrictions, and important news and updates.
It makes financial sense to save water, and it’s good for the environment. All the water you use for tasks such as laundry or car washing is healthy, drinkable water. Most importantly, you need to consider the financial aspect of conserving your water, and it starts with making sure you have no leaks in your faucets or toilets. A leak of one drop per second adds up to seven gallons of water wasted a day, and 2,500 gallons a year. This “tiny” drip will cost you an average of $7.41. If you have a steady leak, as in a leaking toilet, expect water losses of 20 gallons per day, and 7,300 gallons per year. This will cost you around $21.17 on average.
Those two examples use cold water. When hot water is leaking, the costs increase dramatically. The “tiny” leak now dripping hot water goes up to $11.16 with a gas heater and $35.79 with an electric heater. The toilet leak goes up to $31.89 with a gas heater and $102.25 with an electric heater.
Also consider wasted running water. Leaving the water running for 30 seconds to a minute as you brush your teeth adds up! Multiply that waste by two to three times a day, and again for all the members of your family. If you turn off the water while brushing, you can save you $17 – $27 if you are using cold water and between $40 and $128 if you use hot water.
If you are building a new home, plan your water heater location wisely. The closer the water heater is to the needed locations (bathroom, laundry room, kitchen), the more cost efficient it will be. Also, turn your water heater temperature down. If you turn the thermostat down from 140° to 120°, it will protect your children from getting scalded, and will still complete all tasks (laundry, dishwashing) at that temperature.
You can also protect the water heater itself, just like maintenance on a car. About every six months, drain about two gallons of water from the heater as old water develops mineral and sediment deposits that can damage the heater’s internal parts. This quick task will increase the longevity and efficiency of your water heater.
You can do other little things around the house in order to conserve water as well. Collect rain water for watering plants—rain water has more nutrients your plants will love and it saves you money. You can also install low-volume or flow control faucets which are very efficient. But most importantly, teach your family to be aware of leaks and drips. Enlist your children to tell you if they find a leak.
For more tips on water conservation, call your Community Service Representative for detailed information.
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There are many ways you can conserve water in your home and use your water more wisely. For instance, most new homes have water-efficient plumbing fixtures and toilets. Retrofitting these fixtures in older homes can decrease your utility bill by reducing the amount of water you use every day.
• Set your thermostat at 55 degrees, but no lower to protect pipes.
• Set your water heater as low as possible without turning it off. When you get home, let the water in the heater reach 120° before using it.
• Empty refrigerators and freezers and turn them off.
• Unplug unneeded appliances—they draw current even when in the “off” position.
• Wrap exposed water pipes.
• Turn off the main water valve to your house.
• When you return, let water run for 3 minutes from each tap to flush contaminants that built up in fixtures while you were away.
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As Florida’s population continues to grow, the demand for fresh, clean water also increases. If we don’t prepare for this rising demand, we will experience more widespread, severe, and prolonged water shortages in the future. Almost 80% of the more than 14 million people who live in Florida also live near the coast. In these coastal areas, ground water supplies are most limited because wells are shallow and vulnerable to overuse, contamination, and saltwater intrusion.
The FGUA always looks to find new ways to conserve Florida’s important water resources. Many of our future goals include forming re-use agreements with new residential and commercial developments, as well as coordinating with other water utilities in our service areas to share resources. One great example of an innovative re-use project is the FGUA’s reclaimed water initiative.
Reclaimed water involves taking wastewater from a wastewater treatment facility and cleaning it to meet or exceed Florida Department of Environmental Protection standards, and then re-delivering the water to residential and commercial areas for non-drinking water uses—with pipes dedicated to reclaimed water. This water is safe for lawn irrigation, fountains or decorative pools, fire fighting, and a host of other uses. While reclaimed water isn’t recommended for drinking, Florida has some of the highest re-use water standards in the nation, making reclaimed water very safe for most anything.
The FGUA’s new reclaimed water system is the result of planning for the future. Our goal is to use reclaimed water in all areas where it’s economically feasible for the water system and the community. Sometimes retrofitting a community’s water utility for reclaimed water can be cost-prohibitive. The FGUA concentrates on new developments for water re-use because it is relatively inexpensive to install dedicated reclaimed water lines alongside drinking water infrastructure. While most areas of the FGUA don’t have access to reclaimed water yet, we are working hard to bring this innovative water conservation technique to as many customers as we can. Be on the lookout in your area for news about upcoming reclaimed water projects.
Reclaimed water benefits everyone:
• It saves millions of gallons of drinking water each day
• Most customers save money using non-potable (non-drinking) water
• It delays the need to develop costly new water sources and building expensive infrastructure
• It has no odor or staining
• It preserves the quality of life for plants and wildlife by minimizing our effect on underground water sources
• It reduces fertilizing costs because reclaimed water is rich in nitrogen and phosphorous
Download our Seven Ways to Conserve brochure (PDF)—chock-full of water-saving tips that will save you money in the long run!
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By Joan Bradshaw, Ph.D., University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service
During dry conditions, most home irrigation systems are working overtime. There is no better time to give your sprinkler system a check up. Regardless of the type of plants, a tune-up of your sprinkler system can yield substantial water savings and better plant growth. Use the following guidelines to inspect your home sprinkler system.
Step 1. Examine the condition and type of irrigation heads. Make regular checks for damaged or missing spray heads and leaking lines. Are there mis-directed heads that spray a hard surface or leave part of the landscape without water? Are irrigation heads buried by surrounding grass or other plant growth? Twist to raise, or if necessary, dig out and reposition heads on flexible risers (swing pipe), or add a threaded riser to raise heads to grade level.
Step 2. Is the area level or on a slope? Slopes and berms are hard to water efficiently because the water applied naturally runs off. Nozzles with a lower precipitation rate may be required on slopes in addition to using cycle and soak applications. These applications involve running the system for 10–15 minutes and then allowing the water to soak into the ground for 10-15 minutes. A typical application involves 2–4 cycles. You can adjust run times on your controller to create these cycles.
Step 3. Evaluate dry spots. Dry spots may be caused by poor coverage if sprinkler heads are installed too far apart or not in the recommended square or triangle pattern. A plugged nozzle, or a south, west, or windy exposure may be other causes.
Step 4. Evaluate wet spots. Wet areas may be due to normal system drainage—draining of water to the lowest point (head) in a zone after the zone shuts off. However, a leaky valve that causes constant seepage out to the heads is similar to a dripping indoor faucet. Open the valve box and either replace worn diaphragms in the solenoid valves, or with sealed units, replace the entire valve. Check your valve parts manual or manufacturer’s website for more information.
Step 5. Is the exposure full sun, shade, southwest slope, or something else? A shady or northern exposure will likely require half the water of a level, sunny landscape. A south or west-facing slope may require two times the water of a level landscape area in full sun. Adjust run times on the time clock accordingly.
Step 6. What type of plants do you have or do you plan to grow? Group plants with similar water requirements together and water appropriately. An established border of medium to low water-using shrubs require less irrigation than turf or a vegetable garden. The University of Florida recommends applying ½–¾ inches of water per application for turf and landscape plants.
Step 7. Test for distribution uniformity by using the “catch can” method. Place tuna cans (or similar size cans) around the yard and measure the water collected in a half an hour. If some cans have more water than others, distribution is not even. For complete instructions on carrying out the “catch can method” for calibrating your sprinklers, please contact your local University of Florida IFAS Extension office, or visit www.ifas.ufl.edu for more information.
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Use these simple principles to build a beautiful lawn. Your grass will thank you—and you’ll be saving water, too!
Florida is known for its lush, green spring and summer landscape. What’s really remarkable about our natural habitat is that all the ingredients for a picture-perfect landscape are usually perfectly proportioned from our climate: humidity, abundant rainfall and golden sunshine. The majority of homeowners supplement this natural pattern through lawn irrigation, which can lead to plant-damaging over-watering habits.
Many people consider turfgrasses to be high-volume water consumers, but many turf species have excellent drought tolerance. Although water is important in maintaining a healthy lawn, too much water damages turfgrass and is often the underlying cause of lawn failure. Over-watering encourages a shallow root system and can contribute to disease and insect infestations.
How often should I water? Unfortunately, automatic sprinkler systems and improper watering practices are undoubtedly the single biggest factor leading to the decline of home lawns. It’s important to remember that an average of 52 or more inches of rain falls on most parts of the state—the majority between June and October. When rainfall is adequate to meet plant needs, irrigation systems should be turned off. And don’t worry about that relentless summer sun: the classic signs of “drought” don’t mean your grass is ruined.
How much should I water? Efficient lawn watering wets only the turfgrass root zone, instead of saturating the soil. Any runoff onto sidewalks or a puddle in your lawn is a sign that you’ve over-watered.
Generally, turfgrasses require no more than 0.3 inches of water per day. Even under extreme summer conditions, they only need about 0.4 inches per day. A simple watering schedule would apply just ¾ inch of water when the turfgrass shows drought symptoms. Once this ¾ inch is applied, wait until you see drought signs before watering again. To check the amount of water you’re applying and to make sure your sprinklers are uniform, place coffee or soup cans in a straight line from the sprinkler head to the edge of the watering pattern. You’ll easily notice any gaps and be able to gauge the amount of water you’ve laid down.
When should I water? The best time for lawn irrigation is in the early morning hours. Watering during the day wastes water due to evaporation and may even cause your grass to “burn.” Watering in the late afternoon or evening may not give your grass time to dry and could encourage disease.
Observe your lawn for signs of drought, which can mean that the plant’s transpiration needs aren’t being met. The signs to look for are:
• Leaf blades are folded in half lengthwise in an attempt to conserve water.
• The grass takes on a blue-gray tint rather than its usual vibrant green.
• Footprints or tire tracks remain visible long after being made.
When you see these signs of drought on a large portion of your lawn, it’s time to turn on the sprinklers. If rain is forecast in the next two days, hold off and let nature take its course.
Excerpted from “Watering Your Florida Lawn,” (ENH9) by L.E. Trenholm, J.B. Unruh and J.L. Cisar, University of Florida Extension.
It may surprise you to know that your yard is the first line of defense for Florida’s fragile environment. The health of Florida’s estuaries, rivers, lakes and aquifers depends in part on how you landscape and maintain your yard. Storm-water runoff is the reason. Rain falls on yards, roads and parking lots, then washes into tributaries and the lagoon, carrying pollutants like fertilizers, pesticides, soil and petroleum products. Scientists have discovered that fertilizers and pesticides from residential areas are serious threats to the health of Florida’s waters. More people are conserving water and energy inside and outside the home. Interest is growing in landscaping with native and other beneficial trees, shrubs and ground covers. Homeowners are choosing plants that blend beauty and environmental benefits. People are selecting safer alternatives to chemicals used indoors and out. Best of all, many of these benefits to the environment also save time and money while enhancing our special Florida lifestyle. The Florida Yards & Neighborhoods Program provides helpful concepts, tools and techniques for creating your own Florida Yard. With help from the University of Florida’s IFAS/Extension Program, you’ll learn the basics of designing a landscape featuring carefully selected plants suited to our climate, natural conditions and wildlife. The free Florida Yards handbook is chock-full of tips on cost-saving, environmentally friendly landscape maintenance also are included to help you reduce water, fertilizer and pesticide use. This handbook also provides tips for working with your neighbors to share costs and work. Handy reference lists are located in the back of the handbook.
Whether starting from scratch with a new landscape or considering changes in an existing one, the information provided here will help you get started on your Florida Yard. For more assistance, contact the Cooperative Extension Service in your county and ask about the Florida Yards & Neighborhoods Program, or visit http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/EP079.
Reprinted in part from an article by Allen Garner, John Stevely, Heidi Smith, Mary Hoppe, Tracy Floyd and Paul Hinchcliff. www.ifas.ufl.edu
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