Water…Conserve & Protect

Water is one of our most precious resources. Plants, animals and humans all need it to survive. With 70% of the earth’s surface being water, it would seem logical to think there is plenty for everyone. But there isn’t….97% makes up the ocean, 2% is frozen in glaciers or ice caps…that leaves 1% for use in everyday life.  Therefore it’s crucial that we not only conserve what Mother Nature provides but it’s important to keep it clean, as well.

Water conservation is the most cost-effective and environmentally sound way to reduce our demand for water.  In addition to saving money on the utility bill, water conservation helps prevent water pollution in our nearby streams, creeks, rivers, lakes and ultimately the bay and ocean.

Top 10 Water Conservation Tips at Home

1. Check for leaks in faucets, toilets, pipes, hoses, etc.
   Toilet Tip: Add a little food coloring to the tank—if you see the color in the bowl 30 minutes later, you know your toilet is leaking.
2. Take short showers instead of baths and replace your showerhead with an ultra-low flow model.
3. Install new water-saving fixtures, i.e. low-volume toilets, low-flow showerheads or aerators on faucets.
4. Keep bottled tap water in the refrigerator (running tap water to cool it off for drinking water is wasteful).
5. Car washes can be more efficient than home washing.
6. No matter if it’s an inside faucet or outside hose—never leave your water running while not in use.
7. Position sprinklers so water ends up on the lawn or garden, not paved areas and avoid watering on windy days.
8. Put a layer of mulch around trees and plants (this slows evaporation of moisture while discouraging weed growth).
9. Plant native, low maintenance plants and grasses (reduces the amount of chemicals and water needed)
10. Install a cistern or rain barrel on your property (rain barrel details below)!

Rain Barrels are storage containers that collect rain water from downspouts. Downspouts lead the rain water from the roof to the ground or stormwater system. Rain barrels usually consist of a plastic storage container with a lid, a system that diverts water into the barrel, an overflow that diverts water away from the house, a screen to keep out debris, and a water spigot to which a hose can attach.

Uses for Rain Water

• Lawn and gardening watering
• Cleaning patio furniture or windows
• Vehicle washing
• Replenishing water features

Sarasota County will be providing Rain Barrels for just $37 at their upcoming fall 2014 workshops:

Water Pollution Prevention
Help protect our water resources. No matter where people live, we’re all interconnected through the system of tributaries that link our yards to the nearest stream, creek, river, lake and ultimately the bay or ocean.  Some of the water from the land reaches the various water resources through the ground, but most of it is carried by creeks and streams via stormwater runoff. Stormwater runoff is water from rain or melting snow (for our northern friends) that “runs off” across the land instead of seeping into the ground.

10 Ways to Prevent Stormwater Runoff Pollution at Home

1. Educate your friends and family about stormwater pollution….only rain belongs in the drain.
2. Pick up after your pet and dispose of waste properly and do not use litter to clean up oil spills.
3. Compost your yard waste. 
4. Use fertilizers/pesticides sparingly and sweep the extra fertilizer, grass clippings, ect. back onto your lawn.
5. Complete regular vehicle maintenance and inspect for leaks frequently. If found, repair immediately. 
6. If you wash your vehicle at home, do so on the lawn rather than on pavement. 
7. Never drain your pool water into a storm drain system, ditch, lake, river, creek, stream or wetland.
8. Never dump or pour any motor oil, vehicle fluids, chemicals, pet waste, trash, dirty or soapy water, pool water, leaves, grass clippings, yard waste, fertilizers, pesticides or anything else down a storm drain or in a drainage ditch.
9. Minimize runoff by not over-watering your lawn and garden (keep sprinklers on a timer to avoid pooling water).
10. Replace impervious surfaces with bricks, gravel, or permeable pavers instead of asphalt or concrete when possible.

Thank you to Rob Wright, Neighborhood Environmental Stewardship Team Coordinator with Sarasota County and Sara Kane, Public Outreach Manager with Sarasota Bay Estuary Program for assisting in the information contained in this blog.