One Drop at a Time: How One Resident is Making a Difference

Daylight saving time has ended, and with it, the St. Johns River Water Management District’s watering restrictions have changed. Many residents, whether longtime Floridians or newcomers to the state, may not realize that year-round watering restrictions are in place across the District’s 18 counties.

During Eastern Standard Time, residents may water their lawns once a week. These guidelines are designed to protect one of our most precious natural resources: water. Following them not only keeps your lawn healthy but also conserves millions of gallons of water and saves money on your utility bill.

One person who truly understands the importance of responsible watering is City of Oviedo resident Keegan Ford. After noticing that his community’s landscaping company was overwatering the common areas, which was wasting water, money and damaging plants, Ford decided to take action.

He went to his Homeowners Association (HOA) Board and explained how inefficient irrigation was harming both the landscape and the community’s budget. Recognizing the issue, the board gave Ford control of the irrigation timers.

Now serving on the HOA Board himself, Ford’s leadership has paid off. His neighborhood is saving about $500 each month and conserving an estimated 3.5 million gallons of water every year.

Ford’s dedication is inspiring others, including City of Oviedo Mayor Megan Sladek, who praised his efforts to make a lasting difference in the community.

“It’s the residents that make up the city, so we’ve got to celebrate the little successes, and in Keegan’s particular case, a big success of getting his entire community to change the way they think about irrigating their landscape,” said Mayor Sladek.

Ford’s story is a reminder that small changes, like adjusting a sprinkler schedule, can make a big difference for Florida’s future.

Watch the video above to learn more about how Ford is helping protect Florida’s water resources—one drop at a time.

For more information about watering restrictions, visit www.sjrwmd.com/wateringrestrictions