Information on how residents can conserve water during the drought will be a focal point at this year’s Marion County Master Gardeners’ Spring Festival being held March 8 – 9 at the Marion County Extension Service Office in Ocala. The office is located at 2232 N.E. Jacksonville Rd.
The restroom trailer features the District’s new “Reduce Your Use” water conservation campaign and Florida-friendly landscaping tips through displays and free materials. It also features six private air-conditioned half baths with water conservation features, running water, lights, mirrors and a bathroom attendant who will keep the stalls clean and stocked.
The main focus of the restroom station, which is a cleaner alternative to some bathrooms found at large events, is water conservation. The restroom trailer uses a water filtration and circulation system, similar to the systems used on airplanes, to reuse the water from the sink drains in the toilet tanks. In addition, the water used in the toilets is filtered and chemically treated then returned to the toilets’ tanks. This filtration system allows the water conservation restroom trailer to use just 10 percent of the water needed for a
standard restroom trailer.
“Because the area is experiencing a severe drought, water conservation is even more crucial,” said Melissa Roe, project manager for the District. “The water-conserving restroom station is a practical and effective tool to share information about the drought and what community-minded people can do to make a difference.”
The water conservation restroom station began as a pilot program in the Pinellas-Anclote River Basin. The project is now funded by all of the Basins within the District.
Gardening enthusiasts who attend the festival can also learn about water conservation through Florida-friendly landscaping workshops. Other workshop topics include small trees for the landscape, caring for palm trees, water quality and conservation, environmentally friendly lawn management and how to grow your own fruit.
In addition, more than 60 gardening vendors will be at the festival selling everything from plants, flowers, garden decor, and water pond accessories.
The two-day festival typically attracts 8,000 people. Admission is $1 for adults, children under 12 are free.
For more information about the festival, please call the extension service office at (352) 671-8400.
For additional information on the drought, water restrictions or water conservation tips, visit the District’s web site at WaterMatters.org/drought.