Did you know that outdoor water use can account for up to 50 percent of water consumed by households?
While the "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":http://watermatters.org advocates "water conservation(Water conservation)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/conservation/ year-round, an extra effort is being made to promote conservation throughout April. Governments and water management districts throughout the state have declared April Water Conservation Month because April is traditionally one of the driest months of the year and typically marks the peak demand season for public water suppliers.
Each week the District will provide a couple of simple water conservation tips that the average resident can use. This week the concentration is on how you can reduce your "outdoor water consumption(Saving water outdoors)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/conservation/outdoors/ by taking a few simple steps.
* Inspect your "irrigation system(Irrigation)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/conservation/outdoors/irrigation.php by manually starting your system and then checking for leaks, broken pipes, damaged or tilted sprinkler heads, blocked sprinkler patterns and overspray onto impermeable surfaces such as roads and sidewalks. Areas in the yard that are too wet or too dry are signs of problems.
* Know and follow your "local watering restrictions(Water Restrictions)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/conservation/restrictions/, but don't water just because it's your day. Irrigate your lawn when it shows signs of stress from lack of water.
* A garden hose without a shutoff nozzle can waste 540 gallons of water in an hour. Use a shutoff nozzle on your hose that can be adjusted down to a fine spray so that water flows only as needed. When finished, turn it off at the spigot instead of at the nozzle to avoid leaks.
* Use a commercial car wash that recycles water. If you wash your own car, park on the grass, use a bucket of soapy water and use a hose with a shutoff nozzle.
To learn more about water conservation and the drought, or to schedule a speaker, please visit the District's web site at www.WaterMatters.org/conservation/.
While the "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":http://watermatters.org advocates "water conservation(Water conservation)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/conservation/ year-round, an extra effort is being made to promote conservation throughout April. Governments and water management districts throughout the state have declared April Water Conservation Month because April is traditionally one of the driest months of the year and typically marks the peak demand season for public water suppliers.
Each week the District will provide a couple of simple water conservation tips that the average resident can use. This week the concentration is on how you can reduce your "outdoor water consumption(Saving water outdoors)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/conservation/outdoors/ by taking a few simple steps.
* Inspect your "irrigation system(Irrigation)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/conservation/outdoors/irrigation.php by manually starting your system and then checking for leaks, broken pipes, damaged or tilted sprinkler heads, blocked sprinkler patterns and overspray onto impermeable surfaces such as roads and sidewalks. Areas in the yard that are too wet or too dry are signs of problems.
* Know and follow your "local watering restrictions(Water Restrictions)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/conservation/restrictions/, but don't water just because it's your day. Irrigate your lawn when it shows signs of stress from lack of water.
* A garden hose without a shutoff nozzle can waste 540 gallons of water in an hour. Use a shutoff nozzle on your hose that can be adjusted down to a fine spray so that water flows only as needed. When finished, turn it off at the spigot instead of at the nozzle to avoid leaks.
* Use a commercial car wash that recycles water. If you wash your own car, park on the grass, use a bucket of soapy water and use a hose with a shutoff nozzle.
To learn more about water conservation and the drought, or to schedule a speaker, please visit the District's web site at www.WaterMatters.org/conservation/.