Water Conservation in Florida: A Utility/Customer Partnership

Water conservation is the most important action to take to sustain Florida’s water supplies, meet future needs, and reduce demands on the state’s water-dependent ecosystems, such as springs, rivers, lakes, and wetlands.

Utilities can implement water conservation activities by utilizing cost-share programs of the water management districts and through regulations, such as landscape irrigation restrictions. Most importantly, however, water conservation can be implemented by your water customers.

Here, the focus is on residential customers.

Water Conservation Works

Water conservation measures, adoption of year-round landscape irrigation restrictions, increased use of reclaimed water, and the use of Florida-Friendly landscaping techniques have all resulted in significant lowering of the per capita water use rates. For example, in 1995, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated the statewide public supply per capita at 170.2 gallons per capita day (gpcd) and the public supply residential per capita at 103 gpcd. By 2010, the public supply gross per capita average dropped to 134 gpcd, a 21 percent reduction, and the public supply residential per capita dropped to 84 gpcd, a reduction of 18 percent. During 2022, the median residential use was 41 gpcd.

In addition to customers saving money on their utility bills, water conservation helps prevent water pollution in nearby lakes, rivers, and local watersheds. Conserving water also prevents greenhouse gas emissions associated with treating and distributing water.

Conserving water can also extend the life of a septic system by reducing soil saturation and pollution due to leaks. Overloading municipal sewer systems can also cause untreated sewage to flow to lakes and rivers; the smaller the amount of water flowing through these systems, the lower the likelihood of pollution. In some communities, costly sewage system expansion has been avoided by communitywide water conservation.

Here are some water-saving ideas you can share with your customers. Many of them are already aware of these, but the many people who are moving to the state every year may not be aware of the importance of water conservation—

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Indoors

Laundry

S Run full loads of laundry.

S When purchasing a new washing machine, buy a water-saving model that can be adjusted to the load size.

In the Kitchen

S When cooking, peel and clean vegetables in a large bowl of water instead of under running water.

S Fill the sink or basin when washing and rinsing dishes.

S Only run the dishwasher when it’s full. Opt for the dishwasher over handwashing.

S When buying a dishwasher, select one with a “light-wash” option.

S Only use the garbage disposal when necessary (composting is a great alternative).

S Install faucet aerators.

S Keep a bottle of drinking water in the refrigerator.

In the Bathroom

S Take short showers instead of baths. Turn off the water to soap up, then rinse. Better yet, install a low-flow showerhead.

S Turn off the water while brushing teeth.

S Fill the sink to shave instead of rinsing the razor in running water.

S Repair leaky toilets. Add 12 drops of food coloring into the tank, and if color appears in the bowl one hour later, the toilet is leaking.

S Install a toilet dam.

S Don’t use the toilet as an ashtray or wastebasket.

Outdoors

Lawn and Plantings

S Maximize the use of natural vegetation and establish smaller lawns. For portions of a lot where a lawn and landscaping are desired, ask the local nursery for tips about plants and grasses with low water demand. Consider planting more trees, shrubs, and groundcovers, and less grass. Shrubs and groundcovers provide greenery for much of the year and usually demand less water.

S Use native plants in flower beds. Native plants have adapted to rainfall conditions and often provide good wildlife habitat. Cluster plants that require extra care together to minimize time and save water.

S When mowing the lawn, set the mower blades to 2 to 3 inches high. Longer grass shades the soil, improves moisture retention, and has more leaf surface to take in sunlight, allowing it to grow thicker and develop a deeper root system. This helps grass survive drought, tolerate insect damage, and fend off disease.

S Apply mulch around shrubs and flower beds to reduce evaporation, promote plant growth, and control weeds.

S Add compost or an organic matter to soil as necessary to improve soil conditions and water retention.

Water Use

S Only water the lawn when necessary, usually once a week if rainfall isn’t sufficient. Avoid watering on windy and hot days. Water the lawn and garden in the morning or late in the evening to maximize the amount of water that reaches the plant roots (otherwise most of the water will evaporate).

S Use soaker hoses to water gardens and flower beds. If sprinklers are used, take care to be sure they don’t water walkways and buildings. When watering, put down no more than 1 inch each week (set out small, shallow empty cans to determine how long it takes to water to that depth). This watering pattern will encourage healthier and deeper grass roots.

S Overwatering is wasteful, encourages fungal growth and disease, and results in the growth of shallow, compacted root systems that are more susceptible to drought and foot traffic.

S If an automatic lawn irrigation system is used, be sure it has been properly installed, is programmed to deliver the appropriate amount and rate of water, and has rain shutoff capability.

S Collect rainfall for irrigation in a screened container (to prevent mosquito larvae growth).

S Harvest rain to water flower beds, herb gardens, and potted plants. Rain is free, and it’s beneficial for plants because rain doesn’t contain hard minerals.

S Check hose and sprinkler connections for leaks. A drop wasted each second can add up to a couple of gallons each day.

S On slopes, plant native species that will retain water and help reduce runoff.

S Irrigate lawns with reclaimed water.

S When washing a car, use a hose with a shutoff nozzle. Wet the car quickly, then use a bucket of water and a sponge or rag to wash the car. Turn on the hose for the final rinse.

S Always use a broom to clean walkways, driveways, decks, and porches, rather than hosing off these areas.