District proclaims April as Water Conservation Month

In partnership with the Florida Section of the American Water Works Association (FSAWWA) and other state and local entities, the St. Johns River Water Management District is recognizing April as Water Conservation Month, highlighting the importance of protecting Florida’s water resources through responsible water use.

The recognition comes as dry conditions persist across the state. As of last week, the entire state of Florida was classified at a minimum of moderate drought, with several counties of the District falling within that category and portions of northern and southern counties experiencing severe to extreme drought conditions, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. In response to declining groundwater levels and ongoing dry conditions, the District recently declared a Modified Phase II Severe Water Shortage for portions of northeast Florida.

April is typically one of the driest months of the year in Florida, when landscape irrigation demands are often highest. The annual observance encourages residents, businesses and communities to use water efficiently and adopt practices that help conserve the state’s water supplies.

“Water conservation plays an important role in protecting Florida’s water resources,” said St. Johns River Water Management District Executive Director Mike Register. “Simple actions, such as ensuring you only water on the allowed days of the week and performing annual maintenance on your irrigation system, can help reduce unnecessary water use.”

The District encourages residents and businesses to take steps to conserve water, including following local watering schedules, maintaining irrigation systems and checking rainfall shut-off devices to ensure they are working properly.

Water Conservation Month is recognized across Florida each April as part of a statewide effort to promote efficient water use and protect the natural resources that support Florida’s communities, economy and environment.

For more information on Water Conservation Month and water-saving tips, including signs of a stressed lawn, visit www.sjrwmd.com/wateringrestrictions or explore the Water Less campaign website at www.WaterLessFlorida.com.  

Join the water conservation conversation by following #sjrwmd #waterconservation #savewater on social media.