FSAWWA Speaking Out—Emilie Moore

FSAWWA SPEAKING OUT Oh Where, Oh Where Has My Water Gone?

Emilie Moore, P.E., PMP, ENV SP

Chair, FSAWWA

April is here and Water Conservation Month is upon us. It’s a good time to consider what we can do at home and at work to efficiently use water.

Water Conservation at Home

Water conservation opportunities at home can include identifying and repairing leaks, and reducing water use. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), household leaks can waste almost 900 billion gallons of water annually in the United States, which is equal to the annual household water use of nearly 11 million homes. Additionally, approximately 5 to 10 percent of U.S. homes have leaks of 90 gallons a day or more.

Take a Look Inside

For indoor water use reduction, in addition to water use best practices, using WaterSense® products can help consumers more efficiently use potable water. WaterSense is a voluntary partnership program sponsored by EPA; it’s a label for water-efficient products and a resource for helping consumers save water.

Residential Outdoor Water Use

Residential outdoor water use in the U.S. accounts for almost 8 billion gallons of water daily, mainly for landscape irrigation (EPA). For Floridians who irrigate their lawns, this irrigation water volume is approximately 50 percent of the total water use (St. Johns River Water Management District). For plants, such as St. Augustine grass, the recommended irrigation rate is one-half to three-quarters inch of water per application (Publication #ENH5, University of Florida IFAS, 2021) and water application frequency is based on the season.

In-ground irrigation systems affect lawnwatering behaviors of residential homeowners and the rise in the prevalence of in-ground sprinkler systems has led to increased irrigation application rates. Lawn irrigation rates, therefore, may approach one inch of water per application, equating to 0.62 gallons of water per application per square foot of lawn. Homes with in-ground irrigation systems were six times more likely to water their landscapes at least once per week during the warm season when residential outdoor water use is at its peak. Homes with no grass in the landscape were 71 percent less likely to water on a weekly basis (Morera, Maria C.; Monaghan, Paul F.; Dukes, Micheal D.; “Determinants of Landscape Irrigation Water Use in Florida-Friendly Yards.” Dec. 11, 2019).

Opportunities for Landscape Water Conservation

In support of conserving water, the Florida Legislature enacted the Florida-friendly landscaping statute, F.S. 373.185, in 2001, which limits the ability of homeowners associations (HOAs) to prohibit homeowners from adopting landscaping practices that conserve water or are otherwise environmentally sustainable.

Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ (FFL) is the state’s extension program that promotes sustainable alternatives to conventional landscaping, and provides guidance on low-impact, environmentally friendly, science-based landscape practices that use less water and reduce pollutant loading to Florida waters. The FFL is a partnership of the University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension and Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP).

The most-recent program addition to FFL is the Florida-Friendly Communities (FFC) Program (added in 2019), which collaborates with local governments, builders and developers, HOAs, and community/property managers to integrate FFL landscaping and promote FFL’s nine principals: S Right plant, right place S Water efficiently S Fertilize appropriately S Mulch S Attract wildlife S Manage yard pests responsibly S Recycle yard waste S Reduce stormwater runoff S Protect the waterfront

Landscape with native Florida plants. (photo: Archbold Biological Station, Highlands County, Fla.)

An example of efforts to reduce outdoor water use is seen in the Alachua County Comprehensive Plan: 2019-2040 (adopted in 2019). One of the 15 elements in the plan is the potable water and sanitary sewer element. Objective 8.1 of this element is “to promote the increased conservation and reuse of water” and Policy 8.1.3 states: “Development plans shall be reviewed for inclusion of native vegetation and other low-water-demand landscape material in order to reduce outdoor water consumption.”

Additionally, Policy 8.1.8 states: “The county shall discourage the use of permanent landscape irrigation in new construction and in existing development through regulatory and/or voluntary measures. Strategies may include encouraging or requiring permeable hardscapes, limiting the amount of irrigated areas, and the use of organic matter to improve soil conditions.”

Support for planting Florida native plants in the landscape can be found in the conservation element of the City of Coral Springs Comprehensive Plan (Adopted Oct. 6, 2021). Objective 1.4.0 states: “At least 50 percent of all new plants planted during development throughout the city shall continue to be native species.” In addition, Objective 1.5.0, Policy 1.5.3 states: “The city shall promote the planting of native plant species that have been proven to be reliable during hurricanes.”

Conserving Water by Reducing Water System Leaks

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) 2021 Infrastructure Report Card reports that about 6 billion gallons of treated water are lost daily in the U.S. due to leaking pipes, and that there is a water main break every two minutes. Technologies to identify water system leaks and reduce water loss are advancing each year and include such technologies as satellite imagery, fiber optics, acoustical monitoring with fixed networks, personal in-home leak detection, leak detection pigs, and mass balancing.

The California Energy Commission’s report, “Demonstrating Innovative Water Leakage Reduction Strategies” (California Energy Commission, CEC-500-2021-036, June 2021), studied water leak detection technologies, such as correlating continuous acoustical monitoring (CCAM), satellite imagery leak detection (SILD), flow-sensitive pressure reducing valves (FSPRVs), and district-metered areas (DMAs).

As we know, water treatment and pumping are energy-intensive, and therefore, reducing water loss correlates directly with reducing energy loss. The report identified an energy savings of up to 419,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) based on finding up to 170 million gallons of leaks with the CCAM and SILD technologies. These advanced technologies are very promising in achieving more-rapid identification of water system leaks, allowing utilities to reduce system water loss and reduce energy costs at a faster rate.

FSAWWA Water Conservation Awards for Excellence

The FSAWWA recognizes utilities’ achievements in water use efficiency and conservation. At the 2021 FSAWWA Fall Conference, two utilities received Water Conservation Awards for Excellence: S Orange County Utilities Water Division -

“Water Watch Enforcement Program in a

Pandemic” S Pasco County/FGUA - “The Water Awareness

Poster Contest”

Orange County’s Water Watch Program enforces mandatory watering restrictions in unincorporated Orange County. The goal of the Pasco County/FGUA Water Awareness Poster Contest is to educate elementary school students about the importance of the limited supply of fresh water and the role of a water utility in their community.

Congratulations to these water conservation award winners!

Thank you for doing what you do to conserve Florida’s water. Your doctor may tell you to drink at least half of your body weight in ounces of water, so go grab a glass of the water that you just conserved! S

Home Water Conservation Tips

• Turn off the tap to save 8 gallons per day while brushing your teeth and 10 gallons per shave. • Running the faucet for five minutes while washing dishes can use 10 gallons and use enough energy to power a 60-watt light bulb for 18 hours. • Outdoor water use accounts for at least 30 percent of total household water use, on average, and can be as high as 60 percent in arid areas. • If the average-sized U.S. lawn is watered for 20 minutes every day for seven days, it’s the same water volume as a shower running constantly for four days or showering 800 times. (source: U.S. EPA)