Water Conservation
Conserving Florida's water resources has become a critical responsibility that requires everyone's participation to succeed. Using too much groundwater can dry out wetlands, lower lake levels, reduce spring flows and impair water quality due to saltwater intrusion.

Easy Tips to Save Water Indoors

• Turn off the water when you are shaving and brushing your teeth
• Take short showers (five minutes or less)
• Fix All Leaks
  Fixing leaks immediately could save thousands of gallons of water every year. Find out if you have a leak by looking at the dial on your water meter. Make sure that no water is being used and look at the dial again. If it is moving, you have a leak. Find out how to detect if you have a leak
• Defrost Food in Advance
  Do not use running water to thaw meat or other frozen foods. Defrost food overnight in the refrigerator or use the "Defrost" setting on your microwave.
• Reuse Water
  Do not waste water waiting for it to get hot; capture this water for other uses, such plant watering. You can also place a bucket in the shower to catch excess water and use it to water plants.

  Easy Tips to Save Water Outdoors

• Use Florida Friendly Landscaping Techniques
  These techniques are a great way to design, install and maintain both your plants and irrigation system. These techniques will save time, money and water. Examples of Florida Friendly Landscaping techniques include planting native and/or drought-tolerant grasses, shrubs and trees; minimizing the amount of sod in your yard and replacing it with groundcover such as Asiatic Jasmine; and using micro/drip irrigation or soaker hoses in plant beds.
• Use a Broom or Blower to Clean Your Driveway or Sidewalk Use a broom or blower instead of a hose to clean leaves and other debris from your driveway or sidewalk.
• Monitor Hoses and Sprinklers Do not leave sprinklers or hoses unattended. A garden hose can pour out 600 gallons or more of water in only a few hours. To remind yourself to turn off the hose or sprinkler, use a bell timer. To conserve water while washing your vehicle, use a nozzle at the end of your hose.
• Water Your Lawn During the Right Time of Day You should never water your lawn or landscaping between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. This is the hottest part of the day, and the majority of the water will evaporate. Remember to check your irrigation system regularly to ensure it is working efficiently and that water is not being distributed on paved surfaces. You should check that your rain sensor is also functioning appropriately, and be sure to insert a fresh battery in your irrigation timer when necessary. During the rainy season, turn off your sprinkler system; your lawn will continue to look lush and green.