Practicing Water Conservation
Remember the quote from ‘The Rime of the Ancient Mariner’ by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, “Water, water everywhere, nor any a drop to drink?” The ancient mariner was stuck in the middle of the ocean, so all the water around him was salty and not fit for consumption.
With more than 700 freshwater springs, 1,350 miles of coastline and 50,000 miles of rivers and streams, water is just about everywhere in Florida. Two months ago, however, Florida experienced the worst case of wildfires since 1998 while the period from November 2005 to March 2007 ranked as the third driest period in recorded history. With drought conditions occurring throughout much of the state, it is important that each of us do our part to conserve water.
How much difference can an individual make when it comes to conserving water? With predictions of water use in Florida increasing from 7,551 million gallons a day (mgd) in 2005 to more than 9,200 mgd in 2025, every little bit saved can help. Although, it really isn’t just a little bit when it’s all added up.
Based on a family of two adults and one child, practicing water conservation can save:
- 20 gallons per day -- for every leaky faucet that is repaired.
- 500 to 800 gallons per month -- installing water-saving shower heads or flow restrictors.
- 700 gallons per month -- shortening shower time by just one or two minutes.
- 200 to 300 gallons a month -- catching the water that runs while heating a shower in a container for other uses.
- Three gallons a day -- turning off the water while shaving.
- 200 to 300 gallons a month -- keeping a bottle of drinking water in the refrigerator instead of letting water run cool from the tap, and
- 500 to 1,500 gallons each month -- setting lawn mower blades one notch higher to produce less evaporation.
Other simple ways to save water around our homes include:
- Landscaping with native and drought resistant plants.
- Watering lawns during early morning or evening hours when temperatures are lowest.
- Avoiding over fertilizing which increases the need for water, and
- Using mulch to retain moisture in the soil.
By making just minor changes in our day-to-day routines, we can all help conserve the water that defines our quality of life.
For more water conservation tips, visit
www.dep.state.fl.us/drought/tips.htm.
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