Saving Water Outside
The easiest way to conserve the most water outside your home is by simply shutting off your sprinklers. Outdoor irrigation accounts for approximately 50 percent of home water use in South Florida. According to the SFWMD, lawns only need from an inch to an inch and a half of water every 5-7 days from November to March.
Other ways you can save water outdoors include:
- Water lawns no more than once a week. Lawns only need to be watered when they show signs of wilting or stress and when it hasn’t rained.
- Water lawns between the hours of 4 a.m. to 8 a.m. when evaporation is less likely to occur.
- Install water efficient sprinklers and a rain sensor that automatically shuts off your sprinkler system when it rains.
- If your sprinkler system does not have an automatic timer, set a kitchen timer to remind you to turn them off.
- Turn sprinklers off before, during and after it rains.
- Call the Broward Mobile Irrigation Laboratory at 954-584-1306 or 954-873-7594 for an irrigation system assessment to ensure it’s working efficiently. It’s free to Broward County residents whose property is less than 10 acres.
- Implement Xeriscape landscape principles by using native, drought resistant plants, grasses and trees. Group plants together based on water needs. Use mulch to help retain moisture.
- Set your lawn mower to the highest setting so grass roots will grow deeper and retain moisture longer.
- Apply slow-release fertilizers sparingly and use fertilizers with water-insoluble forms of nitrogen.
- Install an automatic shut off nozzle on your hose.
Automatic Lawn Sprinkler Systems
According to Florida Statute 373.62, any person who purchases and installs an automatic lawn sprinkler system after May 1, 1991, shall install, and must maintain and operate, a rain sensor device or switch that will override the irrigation cycle of the sprinkler system when adequate rainfall has occurred.
Learn More About Water Conservation
For more information about the Water Shortage Warning or for additional water conservation tips, please call the SFWMD Water Conservation Hotline at 800-662-8876 or the City of Fort Lauderdale 24-hour Customer Service Center at 954-828-8000.
Information may also be found on the web at www.sfwmd.gov/conserve. |
