Floridians are blessed with natural water resources all around. Centuries ago, half of Florida was covered in wetlands, before the start of settlement. From natural springs, lakes and rivers to marshes, wetlands and underground aquifers there was abundance of water everywhere.
Water is important, especially to Floridians.
Household chores, irrigation, splashing around in swimming pools, and numerous industries require a quality water supply. Not to mention, of course, the beautiful wildlife.
But will our water resources continue to grow? Why is conserving water important?
Living life without water is unthinkable, but with the depletion of natural water resources, it may not be long before fresh water is considered a luxury. Despite the fact that Florida receives about 53 inches of rainfall every year, some regions of the state have water shortages. Not just that, even the water quality has come into question, as many natural water reservoirs suffer from pollution.
Conserving water is no longer a choice but a must if we want to continue to enjoy the state we love so much. Treating polluted water is often expensive and challenging while saving water is much more cost effective.
It’s time for Floridians to do their part in water conservation and pollution prevention.
Here are 12 Key Ways You Can Be Part of the Change:
The average household in the US uses about 400 gallons of water every day.
1. Water your landscape with care
The Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering showed the average Florida house has 79% turf grass and used about three quarters of their water supply for irrigation. Needless to say, this is a lot of water for lawn care and landscape design.
Follow these tips to save not just water, but also your money and enjoy a perfect lawn.
- When you notice your lawn is wilting, irrigate with ½ – ¾ inches of water, according to the
- Skip a week of watering when possible to save the public water supply for other events or activities, like your local farmer’s market or .
- Choose landscapes that thrive primarily on rainwater, where additional watering is required only when there is a drought-like situation. Use Florida-friendly landscaping for best results.
2. Turn Off the Tap When Brushing Your Teeth
Make sure that your kids turn off the tap while they brush their teeth and wash their hands. If you leave it on, a lot of water is wasted. Studies show this simple act save up to 8 gallons of water every day. You don’t just conserve water, you also save your hard-earned money.
3. Use low-flush toilets
Toilets waste a lot of water. Luckily, you can do you your part to reduce the impact. The law requires you to use toilets that consume 1.6 gallons or less per flush. Homes built before 1994 have toilets that use 3.6 gallons or more per flush! Failing to upgrade your toilets leads to an increase in unnecessary water consumption.
When you get your pre-1994 toilet replaced with the low-flush toilets it can save up to 14,000 gallons of water per year for a family of four. Better still, you can opt for high efficiency toilets which uses 1.28 gallons per flush.
Alternatively, you can adjust the float valve of your flush, if replacing isn’t an immediate option. With less water in the tank, you reduce the amount of water wasted. Contact a professional to analyze your current plumbing, if you suspect there may be an issue.
4. Purchase Water Efficient Fixtures
Reduce water consumption by purchasing ‘Watersense’ approved products. A partnership program between The South Florida Water Management District and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), WaterSense is a national program that provides homeowners with the opportunity to choose products and appliances that consume less water. WaterSense helps you save water, money, and the environment.
5.Get an Aerator for Your Faucets
An aerator can reduce your water consumption up to 50%. Of course, select WaterSense faucet aerators which help you conserve more water. An aerator reduces the flow of water from the faucet and you end up more water with minimal effort.
6. Find New Ways to Wash Your Car
A hose can waste up to six gallons of water per minute. Imagine how much water you waste when you wash your car or your bike. Instead, use a bucket and sponge to clean your car. This would not just save a lot of water, it will also clean your car more efficiently.
You can alternatively take your car or bike to a car wash center where the water gets recycled.
7. Choose Low-Flow Showerheads
A low-flow shower head releases about 2 – 2.5 gallons of water per minute, whereas regular showerheads dispense upwards of 5 gallons per minute. Changing all the showerheads in your home can again save you plenty of water.
8. Avoid using Bathtubs
Take a shower and make it a short one. You would consume only 10 – 25 gallons of water. If you reduce your shower time from 8.2 to 5 minutes, you can save 8.2% of the water you use indoors. Filling bathtubs requires as much as 70 gallons of water. What a waste!
9. Save Water While Washing Your Clothes
Choose an energy efficient washing machine. Look for the Energy Star certification, to save water and Always load your machine completely. Also, think twice about using a dryer every time you wash your clothes, as they consume a lot of power. Consider using a clothes line or a drying stand/ rack instead.
10. Save Water While Doing Your Dishes
Again, an Energy Star certified dishwasher will save more water than washing dishes by hand. However, if you choose to wash your dishes by your hand, remember what you told the kids about brushing their teeth– turn the water off!
11. Consider Reusing Rainwater
Florida may be the Sunshine State, but it receives plenty of rainfall. Consider collecting and reusing rainwater, especially for outdoor purposes. People have used this as a way to conserve water for centuries. Harvest rainwater from the rooftop using rain barrels near the gutters of your house.
12. ABOVE ALL, Plug the Leaks
Don’t be surprised if your leaking toilet wastes over 200 gallons of water every day. Also, you should not be shocked to know that a leaking sink, which seems to you like a drop of water, wastes more than 20 gallons. You can have a leaking system anywhere in the house, inside or outside it. Check for swimming pool leaks, if you suspect a problem.
You first need to find out if you have a leak in the house. Turn off all the faucets in your house and then check the water meter. If the white triangle keeps moving even after you close all the faucets then there is a leak in your house, and you need to call in the leak experts – get in touch with Certified Leak Detection now.
From toilets and kitchen sink to swimming pool maintenance, finding a leak and fixing it is a job best left to the professionals – call Certified Leak Detection for leak repair. Save the environment and your wallet, through water conservation.