Did you know that an older toilet model can use three gallons or more per flush, while a new low-flow model uses just 1.6 gallons per flush? Or, that an older showerhead can use as much as eight gallons per minute, while a new low-flow model uses just 2.5 gallons per minute?
While the Southwest Florida Water Management District advocates water 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 the month typically marks the start of 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 focus is on installing low-flow fixtures because they can make a significant difference in the amount of water used.
Showering is one of the top uses of residential water in the United States, representing approximately 17 percent of indoor water use and more than 1.2 trillion gallons of water each year. You can cut your use by up to 50 percent when you install a low-flow showerhead. Pressure on low-flow showerheads has been adjusted to deliver showers that are comparable to higher flow showerheads.
Some communities offer incentives or rebates for installing low-flow fixtures. Here are the contact numbers for the rebate programs in the following cities and counties:
St. Petersburg: 727-894-2044
Pinellas County: 727-725-2604
Manatee County: 888-843-9832
North Port: 888-843-9832
Charlotte County: 941-764-4520
Pasco County: 727-847-8145 ext 7825
Lakeland: 863-834-6295
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/drought/.