Water conservation, save water, save water and money, conservation, ways to save water, conserving water, watering wisely, Florida landscape, lawn watering, lawn irrigation, irrigation , irrigation rule , irrigation schedule, irrigation hours, drought-tolerant lawns, irrigation systems , irrigation system design, irrigation system maintenance, rain sensors, irrigation system timers, lawn maintenance, fertilizing, Florida-friendly landscaping, waterwise landscaping, rain barrels, leak detection, water leak detection, low-flow showerheads, low-flow toilets, faucet aerators, water-saving tips, water use, water conservation tips, Florida landscaping, lawn watering tips, water restrictions, lawn watering schedule, lawn watering hours, water-saving fixtures, water saving appliances, water-efficient appliances. Do Your Part To Save Water and Money. Water is a resource shared by all, and as Florida’s population increases, so does the need for all of Florida’s residents to conserve. Water conservation may seem unnecessary in a state surrounded by water, but not all of that water is readily available for drinking or irrigation. This Web site offers many tips that can save water — and money — inside and outside your home. It’s easy to see that water conservation is necessary when considering that each average adult needs only 2.5 quarts of water each day to maintain a healthy body, yet on average each person in our area uses about 160 gallons of water in typical daily activities. Conserving water is not only good for the environment, but can help you save money on utility bills, spend less time on home maintenance, and worry less about mold and mildew damage caused by leaking water. More than 90 percent of the water we use comes from groundwater, water drawn from underground aquifers. Florida usually receives about 50 inches of rain each year, but only about 13 inches of water seeps into the ground to replenish underground aquifers. Using too much groundwater can result in drying out wetlands, lowering lake levels, reducing spring flows and impairing water quality from saltwater intrusion. These unacceptable impacts will not be allowed to occur. Even with conservation, all future water supply needs within the St. Johns River Water Management District will not be able to be met from groundwater alone. Alternative water sources will need to be developed and alternative management strategies will need to be implemented. One of the most important ways to help meet our water supply needs for today and in the future is through conservation, which is the efficient and effective use of water. Conservation will help sustain our groundwater supplies for as long as possible. Check to see if your toilet is a low-flow model. Since the mid-1990s, toilets have been redesigned to conserve water. Low-flow models use 1.6 gallons per flush and new, high-efficiency toilets use 1.0 to 1.28 gallons per flush. Older models use 4 gallons per flush. You may want to consider purchasing a newer model. Toilet leaks are often silent, allowing loss of water to go undetected for long periods of time. Some toilets may produce a running water sound that is easy to hear. Some leaks are visible as a small trickle running from the rim to the water in the bowl. The average leaky toilet can waste about 200 gallons of water per day. To detect silent leaks, remove the lid from the toilet tank, remove any colored cleaning agents, flush to clear water in the bowl, then add dye tablets, leak detector fluid or a few drops of food coloring to the tank. If the tank is leaking, color will appear in the bowl within 30 minutes. Flush as soon as the test is complete. Check the tank water level. The correct water level is about one-half inch below the top of the overflow tube in the middle of the tank. The overflow tube drains directly into your sewer system. To lower the water level, use the screwdriver to adjust the screw on the end of the ballcock float arm or bend the float arm down until the correct water level is achieved. If the water won’t shut off at all, replace both the flapper and the ballcock. If these simple procedures don’t stop the leak, you should call your plumber. Avoid flushing the toilet unnecessarily. Dispose of tissues, insects and other such waste in a trash can rather than in the toilet. To fix a leak yourself, you need a large adjustable wrench and a screwdriver. Jiggle the handle. If that makes the toilet stop running, the chain or guide wire attached to the handle may have been out of alignment. If the toilet flush handle frequently sticks in the flush position, letting water run constantly, replace or adjust it. Make sure the handle fits snugly against the tank. If it doesn’t, use the adjustable wrench to tighten the nut attached to the handle on the inside of the tank. Replacement kits with easy-to-follow instructions are available at most hardware and home stores. Install low-flow showerheads. The older the showerhead, the more water it uses. Most new showerheads deliver 2.5 gallons of water per minute. Some new models deliver less than 2.0 gallons per minute. Older fixtures can deliver as high as 8 gallons per minute. Pressures have been adjusted to the low-flow fixtures to deliver as good a shower as the higher flow showerheads. Check your showerhead for leaks. Make sure the showerhead is screwed tightly to the wall and check the washer for wear. To fix a leaky showerhead or to install a new showerhead, you need an adjustable wrench or pliers and joint sealer or tape. Shut off the water. Use the adjustable wrench to remove the old showerhead. Clean the threads to remove old joint sealer. Apply joint sealer or tape, using package instructions. Use the adjustable wrench to install the showerhead. Use a cloth between the showerhead and the jaws of the wrench to avoid scratching your fixture. Time your shower to less than five minutes. Turn the water on to get wet, turn off to lather up, then turn back on to rinse off. Use the minimum amount of water needed for a bath by closing the drain first, filling the tub only one-third full. The initial burst of cold water will be warmed by the hot water as the tub fills. When adjusting water temperatures, instead of turning the water flow up, try turning it down to balance the temperature. Water your lawn only when it needs it. The amount of rainfall your area receives should dictate how often you water your lawn and how much water you apply. A hearty rain eliminates the need for watering for as long as two weeks. Overwatering your lawn results in shallow root systems, which means your lawn is less drought- and stress-tolerant. Overwatering also promotes weed growth, disease and fungus. The most efficient way to irrigate your lawn is to irrigate when it shows signs of stress from lack of water. Signs of stress include the lawn turning a bluish-gray color and lingering tire tracks or footprints. Leaf blades folded in half lengthwise is another sign. The soil around the root zone may feel dry. The St. Johns River Water Management District rule allows watering no more than two days a week, with a few exceptions. Less water will be needed when it rains. In the fall and winter lawns only need water once every 7-14 days. Water users choose their own irrigation days unless their local government has adopted an ordinance incorporating the rule and specifying the days. For more information about the District's lawn and landscape irrigation rule, click here. More than half of residential water use occurs outdoors. Watering wisely outside the home saves water and promotes healthier lawns and landscapes. Watering wisely includes watering only when your landscape needs it, watering no more than two days a week and applying no more than three-quarters of an inch of water per application. A well-designed and properly maintained Florida landscape will stay beautiful with minimal care. Take a moment to learn how to save water and money by watering wisely outside your home. Saving water inside the home is simple. Fixing leaks and replacing old water-guzzling plumbing fixtures with water-saving ones could save you thousands of gallons of water each year. Here are some ways to save water and money inside your home. Saving Florida’s water is everyone’s responsibility. The St. Johns River Water Management District and its partners thank you for using water wisely. For more information on preserving and protecting water resources, visit the following Web sites. St. Johns River Water Management District. Aqua Utilities of Florida. Brevard County. City of Apopka. City of Atlantic Beach. City of Belleview. City of Casselberry. City of Cocoa. City of Eustis. City of Green Cove Springs. City of Groveland. City of Jacksonville Beach. City of Lake Mary. City of Melbourne. City of Mount Dora. City of Neptune Beach. City of Port Orange. City of Sanford. City of Titusville. JEA. Marion county. Nassau-Amelia Utilities. Orange County Utilities. OUC. Seminole County Government. St. Johns County Utilities. Town of Lady Lake. Town of Montverde. Town of Orange Park. Town of Penney Farms. The following publications are available from the St. Johns River Water Management District. These publications are free. However, due to the many requests we receive for publications, we must limit the number of publications that we make available each year without charge. We cannot provide free copies of publications to anyone outside Florida, USA. We must also limit the number that we can provide outside our 18-county District. The District copyrights all materials, regardless of format (print, video, broadcast, Web, etc.). The publications are intended for educational and informational purposes and may not be reproduced or altered without the expressed written permission of the District. Water Conservation coloring and activity book — preschool through 6th grade; through fun activities and coloring, shows the importance of water and how to conserve it inside and outside. Florida Water Star — provides information and incentives for making home water use more efficient. Lawn and landscape irrigation rule card — Gives an overview of the rule and exceptions to the rule. Florida's Aquifers: Our Most Precious Resource — Grade 9-Adult; take a look at the Floridan aquifer, the major groundwater source for north-central Florida, how water gets in and out of the aquifer, the many ways man uses the aquifer's water and threats to this drinking water supply. Inground irrigation systems — Gives tips on installing, using and properly maintaining inground irrigation systems so that they are water-efficient. Water Conservation Activity Book — Grades 1-5; introduces children to the story of where water comes from, how we use water and how we can all do things to save water. An engaging story with pages to color and math and critical-thinking activities, reviewed by elementary school teachers to ensure correlation to Sunshine State Standards with prompts to enhance students' skills for the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test. Using Reclaimed Water — Grade 9-Adult; explains what reuse water is, how it is already being used for irrigation in Florida and around the nation, and how this water use option can be more widely used for watering needs not requiring drinking-quality water. Guardians of Florida's Water: An Overview of the St. Johns River Water Management District — Adults; 28 pages; describes the organization and mission of the District and highlights progress on District water resource programs. Water Conservation Guide: How to do your part - All ages; 33-page guide provides tips for saving water inside and outdoors. Irrigation can be done in two basic ways — with a hose and sprinkler or with an inground irrigation system. When using a hose and sprinkler, place the sprinkler in the area that is driest. Allow the sprinkler to run the proper length of time to apply no more than three-quarters of an inch of water. When that area is complete, move the sprinkler to another dry area. Place the sprinkler so that its water spray will overlap the area previously watered. Position the sprinkler so that your water lands on the lawn and shrubs, not on paved areas. Inground irrigation systems can be automatic or manual, or a combination. The automatic system is set for a predetermined time of day and days of the week. Make sure it is set for before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m., set for no more than two days a week and only operates long enough to apply no more than three-quarters of an inch of water. Learn how to operate your system. Check timing devices regularly to make sure they are operating properly. Watch for broken or misdirected sprinklers. During extended periods of rainy weather, irrigation systems should be turned off. Automatic inground irrigation systems have become a common method for watering our lawns. Unfortunately, many of these irrigation systems are inefficient. Sometimes as much as half of the water delivered through the systems doesn’t benefit the intended plants. We can have a tremendous impact on the amount of water we use outdoors by using well-designed irrigation systems and performing regular maintenance to keep them functioning properly. Inground irrigation systems can be automatic or manual, or a combination. The automatic system is set for a predetermined time of day and days of the week. Make sure it is set for before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m., set for no more than two days a week and only operates long enough to apply no more than three-quarters of an inch of water. Learn how to operate your system. Check timing devices regularly to make sure they are operating properly. Reset the system to water once every 7-14 days in the fall and winter. During extended periods of rainy weather, irrigation systems should be turned off. Install sprinklers that are the most water efficient for each use. Rotors and spray heads are good for turf areas, but don’t use both in the same zone. For even distribution, flow rates must be consistent throughout the zone. In planting beds, use micro-irrigation, which includes drip and soaker hoses. Also, use spray heads designed for planting beds. Position the sprinkler so that you water only the lawn and shrubs, not paved areas. Maintain your irrigation system. Watch for broken or misdirected sprinklers. Check for leaks and clogged spray heads. Soft, wet spots around the sprinkler could indicate a leak is being absorbed into the ground. Florida law requires that all automatic irrigation systems installed after May 1991 have a functioning rain sensor shut-off switch. This switch overrides the automatic irrigation system’s cycle when a preset amount of rain has fallen. The switch can be adjusted for different amounts of rainfall and should be set for one-quarter of an inch. To ensure proper functioning, the sensor should not be installed in an area that is blocked by roof overhangs, bushes or trees. Check regularly to make sure the system is working properly. Backflow prevention devices are also necessary to prevent water from flowing back into the water main, which can contaminate drinking water. With Florida’s irrigation laws continually being updated, you should consult with or hire a certified professional to design and install an irrigation system. Certified professionals can be found by contacting such organizations as the Irrigation Association and the Florida Irrigation Society. A landscape and an irrigation system should be designed so that they work well together. This means putting your plants in “irrigation zones,” allowing for a system design that will deliver the appropriate amount of water to individual planting beds or turf areas. Keep non-turf plants confined to planting beds. Group together plants that have similar moisture needs. Irrigation zones — For efficient irrigation, zones are critical. Each irrigation zone should be composed of the same kind of emitters throughout, be it rotors, spray heads or micro-irrigation. The rate at which different heads deliver water varies, so for even coverage, head types should not be mixed. Also, heads from different manufacturers vary in coverage, so all heads should be the same brand to ensure even coverage. The term “head-to-head coverage” is used to describe proper placement of sprinkler heads to ensure even water coverage. Essentially, the water from one head should reach the closest neighboring heads. If one type of head in a zone delivers one inch of water in one hour and another type only delivers one-quarter inch, then you may be overwatering one area or underwatering the other. For example, use rotors or pop-up spray heads for turf areas, but don’t use both in the same zone. Use gear-driven rotors to water large turf areas. Use spray heads to water medium- to small-sized turf areas. Use micro-irrigation to water planting beds. Because it is a low-volume irrigation technique, micro-irrigation uses less water than rotors and spray heads. Micro-irrigation systems include trickle or drip, micro-sprays (also known as micro-jets) and bubblers. Use drip and trickle irrigation on shrubbery and in planting beds. Use micro-sprays and micro-jets for shrubbery or ground covers. Use bubblers to establish trees or large shrubs. Head placement — Spray head placement is just as important as the type of head used in the various zones of your irrigation system. Spray heads should have sufficiently large bodies so that they are above the normal turf level when spraying water. For example, six-inch spray heads are required to adequately clear properly mowed St. Augustine turf. Without proper maintenance, spray heads can become too low to the ground to be effective. Use six-inch pop-up riser extensions and periodically raise spray heads above grass beds. Heads should be adjusted to prevent water from spraying onto roads and driveways and to prevent water from spraying onto houses or other obstructions. Pressures and piping — Adequate pressure must be factored through the entire system, from the water source to the last head on the line. Increases in pressure can occur by improper design, such as by using pipe that is too small. Too much pressure in pipes can cause leaks by wearing down pipes and fittings. Generally, pressure differences within any irrigation zone should be no more than 20 percent. For example, if pressure at the source is 60 pounds per square inch, or 60 psi, pressure throughout the system should not fall below 48 psi. Low pressure is apparent when heads emit large droplets, which can cause erosion and runoff. Too much pressure can result in heads misting, allowing water to drift away. For correct pressure, pipe size is fundamental. Pipes that are too small will account for large differences in pressure, resulting in uneven water application. Controls and switches — Most irrigation system timers, also known as controllers, allow a great level of control over watering schedules. Familiarize yourself with your timer’s functions using the instruction manual it came with. Often, controllers also have directions on the inside of the cover panel. The following describes the programming controls in the photograph, which represents a typical controller: LCD display — During normal operations, this displays the time of day; during programming, it shows the results of your commands; during watering, it shows the station that is running and the minutes remaining in its run time. Arrow on/off buttons — These set times and days to water, and make program changes. A/B program button — This selects watering program A or B. or manually advances watering from one station to the next. Manual start/advance button — This starts the irrigation program manually or manually advances watering from one station to the next. Programming dial — This turns the controller on and off, and is used for or manually advances watering from one station to the next. Schedule slide switch — This selects one of the fixed-interval watering schedules for a custom watering schedule. Program elements — Timers generally have three criteria that need to be set: watering days, start time and watering duration. What days the system waters will need to be changed seasonally. Lawns need water no more than two days a week in the spring and summer, less if it rains and less in the fall and winter. “Start times” refer to the time of day the first zone will begin watering, followed by the other zones in sequence. Remember to set your system to operate before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m. Watering duration — the number of minutes that each zone runs — depends on the type of head used in each zone. Three-quarters of an inch of water is enough to replenish the grass. Moderate amounts of water can create a healthy, drought-and stress-tolerant lawn. Applying no more than three-quarters of an inch of water is enough to replenish the grass. Rotor zones set between 45 and 60 minutes apply about three-quarters to an inch of water. Zones with spray heads set at 20 to 35 minutes generally apply the same amount. For newly installed planting beds, set micro-irrigation zones for 60 minutes twice a week for 30 days. Then cut back to once a week until plants are established, which will take no more than another month or two, depending on weather conditions. Then water only as needed. Other considerations — The following factors should also be considered when scheduling irrigation systems: During extended periods of rainy weather, irrigation systems should be turned off. Irrigation controllers have default programs that take over if a set program is lost due to a power outage. On some controllers if the schedule switch is in the “Custom” mode, it will default to watering every day. Reset program after a power outage. For an irrigation system to function efficiently, regular maintenance is required. Just as you routinely rotate the tires and change the oil of your car, you must also inspect and adjust your irrigation system for it to work properly. You should: Turn the system on occasionally during daylight hours to observe the heads during irrigation and to check for broken or misdirected spray heads. Periodically raise rotors and spray heads above grass beds because foot and mower traffic tend to push them into the soil. Buy and install riser extensions as ground covers grow or grass thickens at the base. These keep spray heads above grass beds. Replace or clean micro-spray heads if they are clogged. Adjust heads so they cover the target area and don’t waste water on tree trunks or sidewalks. Clean micro-irrigation filters as needed. Filtration is necessary to prevent spray emitters from getting clogged. Use only replacement parts produced by the same manufacturer, as different brands often don’t match up correctly. Learning to read your water meter can pay off. It’s easy to do and it is a way to determine if you have a leak in your home. First, turn off all the water in your house. (Remember to wait for the hot water heater and ice-cube makers to refill, and for regeneration of water softeners.) Next, go to your water meter and jot down all the numbers you see. Also, look at the flow indicator gauge, which is a small red triangle or diamond. If it is not moving you do not have a serious leak. To check for slow leaks, read your water meter before and after a one-hour period when no water is being used. If the readings are different after the one-hour period, you have a leak. If you have a well, listen for the pump to kick on and off while the water is not in use. If it does, you have a leak. Some areas to check include toilets, faucets, malfunctioning water softners, swimming pools, water heaters and faulty irrigation valves. Other leaks can be harder to find such as underground leaks, foundation leaks and leaks behind walls. These may require the assistance of a plumber to locate. When fertilizing, using the correct amount of fertilizer can save water and money, reduce the amount of pollutants reaching waterways, and result in a healthier landscape. Overfertilizing will aggravate pest problems, stimulate excessive plant growth, and demand frequent irrigation. Fertilizers should be used only when specific nutrient deficiency symptoms are evident. These deficiencies can be determined by conducting a soil test or analysis. Florida-friendly lawns require only moderate amounts of supplemental fertilizer once they are established. Avoid overuse of fertilizers, especially near the water’s edge. Rain and lawn watering can wash excess fertilizer into water bodies, where excess nutrients cause algal blooms and weed growth. The amount of fertilizer to apply depends on a number of factors, such as grass species, soil type and permeability, and your location in the state. Apply fertilizers sparingly and follow the manufacturer’s directions on the bag, in terms of the amount per application. Know exactly the square footage of your lawn that the bag of fertilizer is intended to cover. Florida soil is naturally high in phosphorus, and a “no phosphate” fertilizer is fine for most mature lawns. Apply a phosphate fertilizer only if a soil test demonstrates the need. For information specific to your area, contact the local County Cooperative Extension Service. The best fertilizers for healthy landscapes and the environment are those that contain a high percentage of slow-release, water-insoluble nitrogen. Water-insoluble products are not washed away like liquid or fast-release fertilizers. Slow-release products stay in the soil to supply nutrients to plants over a longer period of time. The product label will identify organic, slow-release or controlled release, water-insoluble nitrogen, sulfur-coated, IBDU (15N-isobutylidene divrea), or resin-coated. Fertilize only during the growing season, which can vary depending on where you live in Florida. Allow a month between autumn application and the first freezing temperatures, which will make new growth less vulnerable to frost. Use pesticides, herbicides and fungicides only when needed, and apply them responsibly, following the label’s directions. Cut your grass at the highest recommended height for your turf species or the highest setting on your lawn mower. Cut no more than one-third of the grass length at one time to encourage grass roots to grow deeper. Keep mower blades sharp for a clean cut; dull blades tear grass, opening it to disease and increasing its need for water and fertilizer. Leave short grass clippings where they fall. The clippings reduce the lawn’s need for water and fertilizer. Remove thick patches of clippings so that the clippings will not kill the grass underneath. When you replace your clothes washer, consider a water-efficient model that uses an average of 18−25 gallons of water per load or a front loader that uses 15–25 gallons per load. Older and non-water efficient washing machines can use as much as 40 gallons of water per load. For washing machines with variable settings for water volume, select the minimum amount required per load. If load size cannot be set, operate the washer with full loads only. Use the shortest wash cycle for lightly soiled loads. Normal and permanent press wash cycles use more water. Check hoses regularly for leaks. Pretreat stains to avoid rewashing. When purchasing a standard-size dishwasher, consider a model that uses 6.5 gallons of water per cycle or less. Compact models should use 4.0 gallons per cycle. Older models can use 11 gallons per load. Operate the dishwasher only when you have a full load. When washing dishes by hand, fill one sink or basin with soapy water and fill the rinsing sink to one-third or one-half full. Avoid letting the water run continuously in the rinsing sink. Water lawns during the early morning or early evening hours — before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m. — when temperature and wind speed are lowest. This reduces losses from evaporation and wind that can occur during the middle of the day. This also allows the water to seep into the ground to the grass and plant roots, promoting healthier plants with deep root systems. The District rule allows watering only before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m., with a few exceptions. For more information about the District's lawn and landscape irrigation rule. California Urban Water Conservation Council. www.h2ouse.org. Florida Gardening. www.floridagardening.org. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. www.ifas.ufl.edu. Florida Irrigation Society. www.fisstate.org. Florida Native Plant Society. www.fnps.org. Florida Water Star. www.floridawaterstar.com. Florida Yards and Neighborhoods. cfyn.ifas.ufl.edu. Irrigation Association. www.irrigation.org. Waterwise Florida Landscapes. http://www.sjrwmd.com/waterwiselandscapes/index.html. Learn more about setting your timer from these major manufacturers of irrigation system timers. Learn more about rain sensors from these major manufacturers of rain sensors. Rain Bird. www.rainbird.com/landscape/literature/controllers.htm. Hunter. www.hunterindustries.com/Support/Installation_Adjustment/Controllers. Orbit. www.orbitonline.com/index.cfm?fa=manuals. Toro. www.toro.com/sprinklers/manuals.html. Nelson. www.nelsonturf.com/products/instructions.cfm. www.nelsonturf.com/products/model.cfm?MODEL=56. irriGuard. www.irriguard.com. Florida Water Star. Florida Water Star is a point-based, new home certification program similar to the federal Energy Star program. The program encourages water efficiency in irrigation systems, landscapes, household appliances and plumbing fixtures. Florida Water Star standards ensure water conservation and give homeowners an opportunity to save money on utility bills, as well as have confidence in knowing that quality is built into their new home. If you are building a new home, ask your builder for a certified Florida Water Star home. Enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing that you have minimized impacts on water resources with your new home construction. For more information about Florida Water Star. Turn off the water as you brush your teeth, wash your face or shave. Faucets left in the open running position waste from several hundred to several thousand gallons of water per day. A leak at the rate of one drop per second can waste up to 2,700 gallons per year. Check faucets regularly for leaks at the faucet head and seepage at the base and its connections. Leaky faucets are repaired by replacing washers and by tightening or repacking the faucet stem. Do-it-yourselfers can find a variety of repair kits in local plumbing supply stores, home improvement/hardware stores and discount stores. Most kits contain detailed instructions and a listing of necessary tools. If preferred, a plumber can make repairs. Check the amount of water flowing from each faucet. You can do this by opening the faucet and allowing the water to flow into a container for 10 seconds. Multiply the amount of water in the container by six to determine the per minute flow. If your existing faucet flows above 2.5 gallons per minute, install a low-flow aerator or replace the faucet with a model that uses less than 1.5 gallons per minute. For a bathroom faucet, a 1.5 gallons per minute flow will provide enough water for personal hygiene needs. For a kitchen faucet, you will want 2.2 gallons per minute of flow to make sure the flow of water is enough to wash and rinse dishes. Faucet aerators are circular screened disks, usually made of metal, that are screwed onto the head of the faucet to reduce flow. Aerators for kitchen faucets are available with a variety of spray patterns and flow-control features. You may want to use a low-flow aerator with an on/off flip handle that allows you to increase or reduce the flow as needed. Faucet aerators require periodic cleaning of grit and scale buildup that may inhibit flow. For more information, or to comment on this Web site, contact Malissa Dillon, Project Manager, St. Johns River Water Management District, (386) 329-4571. Apply moderate amounts of water to create a healthy, drought- and stress-tolerant lawn. For most Florida soils, applying no more than three-quarters of an inch of water per application is enough to revitalize the grass. Saturate the root zone, then let soil dry to encourage healthy, deep root growth. Overwatering promotes weed growth, disease and fungus. You can use the “catch” can method to determine how much water to apply and to see if you are watering uniformly across the landscaped area. Place five to seven wide-mouthed, flat-bottom cans (cans about the size of an average tuna can) throughout the zones to be irrigated. Irrigate each zone as you normally would. When you have finished irrigating a zone, measure the depth of water in each can. Average the measurements and use this number to determine how long you need to water to apply three-quarters of an inch of water in each irrigation zone. While testing your system using the “catch” can method is the most effective way to determine how much water you are applying, there are some general guidelines for inground systems. These guidelines are based on the type of head used in each irrigation zone. Rotor zones set between 45 and 60 minutes apply about three-quarters to an inch of water. Zones with spray heads set at 20 to 35 minutes generally apply the same amount. For newly installed planting beds, set micro-irrigation zones for 60 minutes twice a week for 30 days. Then cut back to once a week until plants are established, which will take no more than another month or two, depending on weather conditions. Then water only as needed. The following are additional ways to save water and money outside your home. Collect water in a rain barrel to use to water your plants. Rain water is free and is better for your plants because it doesn’t contain hard minerals. Planter beds, vegetables or flower gardens and potted plants can easily be irrigated with water from a rain barrel. Rain barrels are easy to construct following directions available from the Florida Yards and Neighborhoods Program. Pay attention to your hose. Left unattended, a garden hose can pour out hundreds of gallons of water in an hour. Check all hoses, connectors and spigots regularly to make sure they are in good working order. Use hose washers between spigots and water hoses to eliminate leaks. Replace or repair damaged or leaking hoses, nozzles, spigots and connectors. Use a broom to clean leaves and other debris from sidewalks and driveways rather than a hose. Using a hose to clean a driveway can waste hundreds of gallons of water. Outfit your hose with a spray nozzle that can be adjusted so water flows only as needed. When finished, turn it off at the faucet instead of at the nozzle to avoid leaks. Wash your car efficiently. Consider using a commercial car wash that recycles water. If you wash your own car, park on the grass and use a hose with a spray nozzle. If you install ornamental water features, such as fountains, make sure they are designed to recycle water. If you have a swimming pool, consider a new water-saving pool filter. Cover your spa or pool to reduce evaporation. The following are additional ways to save water and money inside your home. Do not use running water to thaw meat or other frozen foods. Defrost food overnight in the refrigerator or by using the defrost setting on your microwave. Install instant or on demand hot water in the kitchen so you don’t have to let the water run while it heats up. Insulate your water pipes. You’ll get hot water faster plus avoid wasting water while it heats up. Avoid installing a water-to-air heat pump or air-conditioning system. Newer air-to-air models are just as efficient and do not waste water. Install water-softening systems only when necessary. Save water and salt by only running the minimum amount of regenerations necessary to maintain water softness. Turn softeners off while on vacation. Also, consider installing a system capable of using potassium instead of sodium with demand-based regeneration. Never put water down the drain when there may be another use for it, such as watering a plant or cleaning. Replace leaky drain plugs in sinks and bathtubs. Store drinking water in the refrigerator instead of letting the tap run while you wait for cool water to flow. Plant drought-tolerant or Florida-friendly grasses, ground covers, shrubs and trees. Once established, they do not need to be watered as frequently, and they usually will survive a dry period with little or no watering. To establish and maintain a healthy landscape that conserves water, consider using the following Florida-friendly landscaping principles: Get a soil analysis — Collect soil samples from various areas of your yard and have them analyzed by your local County Cooperative Extension Service. This analysis will tell you the level of acidity or alkalinity in your soil. This information will help you decide which plants will work best in your yard and how much fertilizer to use. Plan your landscape — Evaluate the conditions in your yard, such as sunny and shady areas, how you will use sections of the yard and how large you want mature plants to be. Choose the proper plants — Determine each plant’s need for sun, shade, soil and water, and its tolerance for cold or salt. Match the plant’s needs to the appropriate spot in your landscape. Use grass wisely – Grass is often your yard’s biggest water user. Save grass for areas where children or pets will play. In other areas, consider mulch or ground cover. Irrigate efficiently – Group landscape plants that have similar moisture needs together in areas separate from grass. Use sprinklers that are the most water-efficient for each use. Zones of inground irrigation susyems should be separate for turf and non-turf areas. Use appropriate matching spray heads throughout the zone. Mulch – Using mulch helps retain soil moisture and moderates temperature. Mulching also helps to control weeds that compete with plants for water. Spread several inches of mulch, such as wood chips, pine straw or leaves, around shrubs, trees and flowerbeds. Maintain your yard – Mow, weed, prune and irrigate as needed. For more information on waterwise landscaping.
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