A lack of rainfall this summer in Florida is prompting a recommendation by city officials to conserve water as we enter the typically drier fall and winter months. As of the Oct. 10 Drought Monitor posted by the National Weather Service, east Hillsborough County is under “abnormally dry conditions.” As of Oct. 6, year-to-date rainfall totaled 35.63 inches, well below the normal range of 40.09 to 48.83 inches.
“Regionally, water conservation is always a concern but taking a drier-than-average rainfall total into our drier months requires all of us to be more aware of the need for water conservation and take action to reduce the amount of water we use on a daily basis,” said assistant city manager Jack Holland.
Every day, residents use water for drinking, cooking, bathing, agriculture and recreation. According to Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD), when we each take simple actions to save water, it can make a big difference.
As outdoor water use, including landscape irrigation, consumes about half of the water used by Florida households, Plant City follows the water conservation restrictions put in place by the SWFWMD. Lawn irrigation, to those not using reclaimed water, is restricted to twice a week before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m. with the following schedule:
Property Address – Days
Even Numbered – Thursday and/or Sunday
Odd Numbered – Wednesday and/or Saturday
It’s also important to check for irrigation system leaks. “We also offer irrigation system evaluations for residential customers,” said Mark Woodward, the city’s water conservation coordinator.
Indoors, residents can turn off the faucet when scrubbing dishes, brushing your teeth or washing your hands, take shorter showers (challenge family members to wash their bodies in less than five minutes), flush less and check for leaks (a leaky toilet can waste up to 200 gallons of water a day) and install water-saving fixtures.
“Our customers do a great job using water wisely every day,” said Woodward. “We’re just asking them to do a little more in the coming months.”
For more information about ways to conserve water, contact SWFWMD at 1-800-423-1476 or visit its website at WaterMatters.org.