Water conservation is a key tool for balancing today’s water needs with tomorrow’s future demands. Water is one of our most valuable resources, supporting our environment and way of life and every water user plays a role in protecting it. Conserving water doesn’t always require major changes. Simple habits at home can help safeguard this vital resource for future generations, while revealing easy opportunities to save both indoors and outdoors.
Outdoor water use typically accounts for more than 50% of a household’s overall water consumption. According to the University of Florida, a single watering cycle for residential lawns can use as much water as an eight-hour shower, about the same as 37 loads of laundry, 50 dishwasher cycles or 774 toilet flushes.
Key Practices for Outdoor Water Savings
- Only water your landscape when needed
- Avoid overwatering, which can:
- Waste large amounts of water
- Weaken plants
- Wash fertilizer into local waterways
- Set your irrigation controller to follow local watering restrictions
Seasonal Irrigation Tips
Seasonal adjustments help make sure you’re only watering when your landscape needs it. A WaterSense® labeled smart irrigation controller can simplify this by adjusting watering automatically based on local weather and site conditions.
- Summer (Rainy Season)
- Rainfall often supplies enough moisture for lawns
- Turn off your irrigation system unless grass shows signs of stress
- Winter (Cooler Months)
- Lawns often need significantly less water because grass goes dormant
- You can often skip a week of irrigation
- Install a WaterSense® labeled smart irrigation controller which adjusts watering based on:
- Local weather
- Soil moisture
- Site-specific conditions
Irrigation Maintenance: Tips to Check Your System
Regularly maintaining your irrigation system is important, as most run early in the morning or late at night when problems are hard to spot. Test your system manually while following local water restrictions and take note of any areas that may need adjustment or repair.
- Look for signs of leaks or broken or misdirected sprinkler heads such as:
- Water shooting into the air
- Water pooling around the base of sprinkler heads
- Water spraying onto driveways, sidewalks or roads
Helpful Florida-Friendly Landscaping Tips
Creating a Florida-friendly landscape is another effective way to reduce outdoor water use over time by relying on low-maintenance, drought-tolerant plants. A well-designed, Florida-friendly yard will thrive with minimal irrigation and help protect natural resources.
- Follow the nine science-based principles of Florida-Friendly Landscaping™
- Choose native, drought-tolerant plants matching the conditions of your yard
- Plan your landscape from the ground up to reduce long-term watering needs
Easy Ways to Save Water Indoors
Although outdoor water use accounts for a large portion of household consumption, indoor habits still play an important role in conservation. Simple actions can help prevent unnecessary waste and make conservation a part of your routine.
- Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth, scrubbing dishes or waiting for the shower to warm up
- Only run the dishwasher and laundry with full loads
- Be mindful of moments when unused water flows down the drain
What to Look For: Water-Efficient Fixtures and Appliances
Along with implementing simple conservation habits, upgrading indoor fixtures and appliances can provide automatic, long-lasting water savings. Designed to operate at maximum efficiency without reducing performance, these models perform effectively while using less water.
- Choose WaterSense® labeled showerheads, faucets and toilets
- Pick ENERGY STAR® dishwashers and washing machines
Every water-saving choice, whether big or small, is a positive step toward sustaining the natural resources we depend on. For more educational resources, tips and tools to conserve water at home, visit WaterMatters.org/Water101.