Ways to Reduce Outdoor Water Consumption

The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Governing Board voted today to extend Phase I water shortage restrictions for the district’s entire 16-county area through Oct. 31.

According to a district press release, the decision was made because the region’s water resources have not been replenished due to a delayed start in the summer rainy season.

The Phase I order is intended as an alert to prepare for worsening conditions. Under Phase I, residents are asked to check their irrigation systems to ensure they are working properly. This means testing and repairing broken pipes and leaks, and damaged or tilted sprinkler heads. Residents should also check their irrigation timer to ensure the settings are correct and the rain sensor is working properly in accordance with state law.

There are no changes to watering days or times. This means lawn and landscape watering remains limited to a two-day-per-week schedule, and residents may only water before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m. 

“Our rainy season has gotten off to a slow start,” said Lois Sorensen, district demand management program manager. “The region’s public water supplies are in relatively good shape for now, but we may need to consider stricter measures if the rest of the rainy season isn’t more consistently productive.”

When Phase I first went into effect, water utilities and their local governments were expected to review and revise their watering restriction enforcement procedures. The extension means they must continue to report enforcement activity to the district on a monthly basis.

Typically, outdoor water use accounts for up to 50 percent of water consumed by households. The district says you can reduce your outdoor water consumption by taking a few simple steps:
 
 Check the home’s irrigation system for leaks and potentially save up to 6,300 gallons of water per month.

Turn off the home’s irrigation system and only water as needed, and save up to 2,000 gallons each time a watering day is skipped.

Don’t leave sprinklers unattended. Use a kitchen timer to remind yourself to turn sprinklers off.

Use a hose with a shutoff nozzle when washing the car and save around 40 gallons per wash.

Consider installing a rain barrel with a drip irrigation system, and collect rainwater for your landscaping. Rainwater is free and is better for your plants because it doesn’t contain hard minerals. Many county extension offices have rain barrel demonstration exhibits and information on plants, gardening, composting and water conservation. Most even offer workshops on these subjects.
 
You can download or order the districts’ free six-page “Saving Water Outdoors” brochure on the district’s Website at www.WaterMatters.org/savewateroutdoors/.

To learn more about water conservation, or to schedule a speaker, visit the district’s Website at www.WaterMatters.org/conservation/.