Water Conservation

As usual Mother Nature has been her unpredictable self doing a complete 360 degree turn around from the spring weather we had last year. Instead of seventeen inches of rain for March and April of 2005 we are barely at a half an inch for March and April 2006.

Water conservation is a subject many people only think of when there are times of drought and mandatory water rationing is in effect but we don’t give conservation a second thought when we have an abundance of precipitation.  

It is incumbent on all of us to incorporate water conservation practices in our daily routines so they become second nature then when Mother Nature decides to deprive us of life sustaining precipitation our community will have already taken steps to ensure we have an adequate potable drinking water supply.

Please find listed below tips to get all of us started on the path to water conservation.

Bathroom - where half of and all water use inside a home takes place:

Do not let the water run while shaving or brushing your teeth.  Take short showers instead of tub baths.  Turn off the water while soaping or shampooing.  If you must use a tub, close the drain before turning on the water fill the tub only half full.  Never use your toilet as a wastebasket.

Kitchen and Laundry:

Keep drinking water in the refrigerator instead of letting the faucet run until the water is cool.  Wash fruits and vegetables in a basin. Use a vegetable brush.  Do not use water to defrost foods; thaw them in the refrigerator overnight.  Scrape rather than rinse, dishes before loading into the dishwasher; wash only full loads.

Wash only full loads of laundry or use the appropriate water level or load size selection on the washing machine.

We appreciate your cooperation in conserving our precious water resources.

 

Landscaping

Preserving Florida’s valuable freshwater resources through water conservation is becoming more and more important.  Outdoor irrigation can account for 50 percent or more of the average homeowner’s water use.  A water-conserving Xeriscape will save money on water, energy and maintenance bills and will help preserve the state’s valuable freshwater resources.

Xeriscape originated in the arid western US.  Contrary to the image of rock and cactus gardens, Florida’s Xeriscape resembles lush traditional gardens.  Through carefully planning, they use 30 to 80 percent less irrigation water.

Seven Steps to a Successful Xeriscape

Design:  There are two principal elements to a Xeriscape design;  the site analysis and planting plan.

Group plants with similar water requirements.

Increase shade areas to decrease the water needs of plants.

Preserve areas of native vegetation.

Analyze the Soil:

Add organic matter to flower or vegetable gardens before planting to increase the water-retention ability of the soil.

Plant Selection:

Select plants appropriate for the soil.

Natural-zone plants require only natural rainfall

Drought-tolerant zone plants require minimal irrigation.

Oasis-zone plants require frequent watering.  Limit these areas as much as possible

Use Turf Wisely:

Consolidate area or consider alternatives to ease maintenance and water    requirements.

Irrigate Efficiently:

Set the time each irrigation zone to correspond to the needs of the plants grouped within that zone.

Check the system weekly to ensure it is operating properly.

Mulches:

Use mulches for walkways, as well as within the planting beds.

Mulches reduce watering, weeds, erosion, etc.

Maintenance:

Water and fertilize plants only as needed.  Excessive amounts promote problems and increase pruning and mowing requirements

Raise lawn mower blade(s) to promote more extensive root growth.

Prune shrubs to natural height and shape.