The Southwest Florida Water Management District is unveiling a new tool to help residents determine how much water they can conserve at home.
The new tool is an online water conservation calculator that allows residents to estimate how much water they use, and provides tips on how they can reduce that amount.
Participants will then have the opportunity to pledge to conserve at least 10 percent of their daily use. Visit the District’s web site atWaterMatters.org/powerof10/ to take your pledge today! Residents who take the pledge will automatically be entered into a monthly drawing. The grand prize is a rain barrel and second prize is a micro-irrigation kit.
This new water conservation calculator is being launched in April, which is recognized by the state, District, Tampa Bay Water and approximately 183 local governments and organizations as water conservation month.
April is traditionally one of the driest months of the year and typically marks the start of the peak demand season for public water suppliers. Many residents begin increasing their lawn irrigation due to the dry conditions and rising temperatures. These factors, combined with the ongoing drought and the associated water shortage, make April an appropriate time to highlight the need for water conservation.
The online water conservation calculator is just part of the District’s efforts to promote water conservation. The District also has an online project aimed at schools and students. This web-based water conservation challenge for schools allows teachers and students to pledge to conserve water and develop a plan for a conservation activity. Some projects will be featured on the District’s education web site. More information can be found atWaterMatters.org/classchallenge/.
In addition, the District’s water conserving restroom trailer will be at the Venice Shark’s Tooth Festival on April 17—19, the Islands Fest at Davis Island in Tampa on April 18, as well as the Green Thumb Festival at Walter Fuller Park in St. Petersburg on April 25—26.
District staff will also participate in a variety of environmental and outdoor events throughout April and local radio and television stations are airing the District’s water conservation public service announcements.
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/.