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Rain barrels collect rainwater that can then be used to water plants inside and out. PHOTO/OSCEOLA CO. EXTENSION SERVICES
Did you know the average Florida household uses over 130 gallons of water per day? This high-water use comes at a price, but conserving water will make sure we have plenty of water in the future. Give the following tips a try and watch your water usage shrink!
Use a rain barrel
Rain barrels collect rainwater that can then be used to water plants inside and out. To learn more, attend a rain barrel workshop at UF/IFAS Extension Osceola County on Oct. 11 at 6:30 p.m. To register, visit http://occeu. eventbrite.com or call us at (321) 697-3000. The class is free, but Toho water customers are eligible to purchase a rain barrel at a reduced price.
Water-efficient appliances, toilets, and shower heads If it’s time to upgrade a household appliance or toilet, consider purchasing an energy and water efficient model. According to the EPA, switching to a high-efficiency toilet can save a family $2,000 during the life of the toilet or 4,000 gallons of water per year! Similarly, a low-flow shower head can greatly reduce your household water usage. The EPA has estimated that if every home in the U.S. used a low-flow shower head, we could save more than 250 billion gallons of water per year. That’s enough to supply more than 2.5 million homes with water for a year.
Evaluate your irrigation use
By far, the majority of our water usage is for lawn and landscape irrigation. Take time to assess your irrigation system. Is your timer working properly? Are there any leaks? Are the irrigation heads positioned properly? If you suspect an issue, reach out to your utility provider to see if they offer on-site evaluations. Consider installing a rain shut-off sensor if you don’t already have one. You can also rethink your landscaping. Proper landscape design with Florida Friendly plants can drastically minimize your landscape’s irrigation needs.
