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Toho Water Authority
April is water conservation month! This month is observed nationally to educate the public about how to manage water resources wisely, and to promote the need to conserve water.
Water conservation is important because all of the water we use in Florida comes from the Floridian Aquifer, a natural underground freshwater reservoir. If we use the water faster than the aquifer can replace it through naturally occurring rainfall, we run the risk of depleting our needed water resource.
What YOU can do to conserve water outside the home!
More than half of all residential water is used for landscape irrigation. Overwatering a lawn can be detrimental, promoting weeds and insect pests. Using water wisely year-round promotes healthier lawns, saves thousands of gallons of water per month and saves homeowners money. Start by knowing and adhering to your assigned watering days and times; irrigation schedules can be found on www.tohowater.com Make sure your irrigation timer settings are correct and your rain sensor is functioning too. For more water saving tips, visit our website and click on “Ways to Conserve” found under the Community tab.
Outdoor Plants: Choose Florida-friendly plants that are adapted to Florida and need less water. These plants come in many forms, including vines, groundcovers, shrubs, trees and palms. For more information on Florida-friendly landscaping, visit https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/resources/apps/plant-guide. Also, consider adding mulch to your garden to reduce evaporation. This decreases the amount of water needed for a garden, prevents water run-off, reduces weeds and moderates soil temperature.
Lawn: To make your lawns more tolerant to dry weather, never mow more than 1/3 of the grass height. Inspect your irrigation system by turning on each zone and look for broken or misdirected sprinkler heads. Different grass types have different mowing and irrigation requirements. For guidelines and tips, visit https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu.
What YOU can do to conserve water inside the home!
You can save water inside the home too from fixing leaks to getting water efficient appliances and fixtures. Below are three ways to make sure you are getting the most out of every drop of water.
Leaks: A faucet can leak when the washers and gaskets get older, this can waste 20 gallons of water per day at one drip per second. Inspect for leaks and get them fixed.
Shower: Consider replacing your showerhead with a more water-efficient model if your shower can fill a one-gallon bucket in under 20 seconds. You can also use pipe tape to secure a tight connection between the showerhead and the pipe stem if you notice leaks. Another quick tip is to take shorter showers!
Devices: Run your dishwasher and washing machine only when they are full. Turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth.
Try out some of these water saving activities throughout Water Conservation Month and be a water hero!
