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Despite April Showers, We Need To Conserve

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By LOU KAVOURAS

Special to the Tribune

Published: April 16, 2008

While some areas of Pasco County have received several inches of above-normal rainfall this winter and spring, it is not enough to make up for the below-average rainfall in 2006 and 2007.

Moreover, daily temperatures are rising and expected to remain above normal through May. That's why, with two months left in Florida's traditional dry season, the Southwest Florida Water Management District is placing a greater emphasis on water conservation this April.

While the district advocates water conservation year-round, governments and water management districts throughout the state have declared this Water Conservation Month because April is traditionally one of the driest months of the year and typically marks the start of the peak demand season for public water suppliers.

Water conservation simply means being non-wasteful with our limited water resources. When we conserve water, we are not only doing our part to ensure adequate water to meet our needs but we are also protecting the environment. Also, conserving water can reduce your water bill and save you money.

It's estimated that each person in our region uses an average of 115 gallons of water each day. Two of the biggest water uses are lawn irrigation and showering. These two large water uses are a great place to start when looking for ways to conserve around your home.

Outdoor use can account for up to 50 percent of water consumed by the average household. You can save hundreds of gallons of water a month by following the district's one-day-per-week watering restrictions, irrigating only when your lawn and landscape needs water and incorporating Florida-friendly landscaping principles.

Florida-friendly landscaping is a low-maintenance approach to landscaping that conserves water and protects the environment. Florida-friendly landscaping was established by the University of Florida for the Florida Yards & Neighborhoods Program. The district supports Florida-friendly landscaping education through the University of Florida's FYN programs in 11 of its 16 counties, including Pasco County.

Florida-friendly landscaping emphasizes nine easy-to-follow principles that, when practiced, can make a significant impact on your yard and the environment, while maintaining Florida's unique beauty.

Irrigating efficiently is a key principle to a healthy Florida-friendly yard and conservation of limited resources. Watering too much or too often can be detrimental to your lawn and landscape. If your lawn is irrigated too frequently, it can create a shallow root system, making it more difficult for your turf to thrive in drought conditions.

To ensure you are watering your lawn properly, learn how to use your irrigation timer and change the settings seasonally. A rain gauge or moisture sensor is also extremely helpful in determining if a recent rainfall provided a sufficient amount of water for your grass. Therefore, watering efficiently is important to conserving water, helping create a healthier landscape and saving you money.

Showering is one of the top indoor residential uses in the United States, representing approximately 17 percent of indoor use and more than 1.2 trillion gallons of water each year. The simple action of installing an inexpensive low-flow showerhead can cut your water use in the shower by 50 percent. Pressure on low-flow showerheads has been adjusted to deliver showers that are just as comparable to higher-flow showerheads.

And, of course, taking shorter showers will also help reduce your water bill.

Imagine how much water we could conserve if everyone started by addressing these two major uses? If we all work together to conserve, we can truly make a difference to ensure we have enough water for today and future generations, without putting a strain on the environment.

To learn more about Florida-friendly landscaping and other ways you can conserve water outdoors and indoors, visit the district's Web site at www.WaterMatters.org/drought. You can also order free materials and schedule a guest speaker for your homeowners association meeting or community group by logging on to this page.

The writer is deputy executive director of outreach, planning and board Services for the Southwest Florida Water Management District.

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