Who: Southwest Florida Water Management District Basin Board members and staff; Mike Hickman, Hickman Homes, Inc. president; and the Polk County Builders Association
What: The District will celebrate the completion of a Florida Water StarSM Gold (FWSG) certified home that will be featured in the Polk County Parade of Homes. The fall Parade of Homes is Oct. 17-18 and Oct. 24-25.
FWSG is a certification program for builders and developers. The program encourages water efficiency in household appliances, plumbing fixtures, irrigation systems and landscapes, as well as using Florida-friendly landscaping practices.
When: Thursday, Sept. 10, 4:30 to 6 p.m. There will be a short ceremony followed by tours of the home.
Where: 4322 Tokose Place, Lakeland, 33811 in the Morgan Creek Subdivision
Why: The goal is to promote the water-conserving program among builders, developers, real estate agents and homeowners.
District Contact: Susan Douglas, Florida Water StarSM Gold coordinator, 800-423-1476, ext. 4752
Developer Contact: Mike Hickman, Hickman Homes, Inc. president, 863-646-1166
Florida Water Star GoldSM Fact Sheet
• FWSG is a voluntary certification program for builders. It encourages water efficiency in household appliances, plumbing fixtures, irrigation systems and landscapes, as well as water quality benefits from best management practices in landscapes.
• FWSG-certified homes are expected to have lower utility bills and require less maintenance.
• The FWSG-certified home, built by Hickman Homes, Inc., at 4322 Tokose Place in Lakeland features:
- High-efficiency, dual-flush Kohler toilets
- Water Sense lavatory faucets
- Energy Star dishwasher using less than 6.5 gallons per cycle
- Energy Star clothes washer
- Showerheads with a flow rate below 2.5 gallons per minute
- Irrigation system with smart controller
- Less than 50 percent turf
- Florida-friendly landscaping.
• The home will also be certified by the Florida Green Building Coalition, Energy Star and the National Association of Home Builders. Some of the other features include Icynene foam insulation in the attic, foam core insulation in the walls, an energy-efficient air conditioning unit, solar panels that create electricity as well as a solar hot water system. The home also features building materials made of recycled content, including the cement block walls, countertops and carpet.
• The Polk County Fall Parade of Homes is Oct. 17-18 and Oct. 24-25. Those who would like to tour the homes during the week can make an appointment with the individual developers.
• The Polk County Builders Association is a construction industry association comprised of builder and associate members. The association promotes quality, affordable housing for the citizens of Polk County while creating a favorable and prosperous business climate for its members.