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Save
it outside
More
than 50 percent of residential water consumption is used for irrigation.
Because of this, there is great potential to reduce the amount of water used
on landscapes.
Does
your landscape need water?
Water
requirements of plants vary with the plant, soil type, location, weather,
and time of year.
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Points
to consider:
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Group
plants by zones of similar water needs and focus on native species.
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Longboat
Key’s sandy soils hold little water. Adding organic matter, such as
compost, peat, top soil or yard waste to soil increases its ability to
hold moisture.
-
Water
early in the morning hours to minimize evaporation.
-
Without
rain, once-a-week irrigation during warm months is usually adequate for
most established trees and shrubs. Once every two weeks should suffice
December through February.
-
Change
to micro- jet or drip irrigation systems to apply water directly to the
root systems of plants, shrubs and trees.
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Water
running off your yard can carry pollutants such as soil, debris,
fertilizer and pesticides that can adversely impact water quality.
Reduction of this runoff will help prevent pollution.
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Create
momentum. Encourage your neighbor to be water wise.
Do
I need an automatic shut-off device?
Yes.
Rain shut-off devices are mandatory by State law and Longboat Key Ordinance
05-15 for all automatic lawn
sprinklers. This device stops the system from
operating when there has been adequate rain for irrigation purposes.
How
much water does my landscape need?
For
grass and most plants, apply ¾ inch of water when you irrigate.
How
much water does my automatic irrigation system apply?
Six
simple steps to calibrate your system:
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Place
straight-sided cans, like tuna cans, in scattered locations within the
irrigation zone.
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Run
the zone for exactly 15 minutes.
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Measure
the depth of water in each container.
-
Determine
the average amount captured by the containers. Then multiply by four to
determine the number of inches applied per hour for that zone.
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Repeat
for each irrigation zone.
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Set
each zone to run long enough to apply ¾ inch of water per irrigation
event.
When
should I water?
Use
water wisely and irrigate your landscape only during the times allowed and
only if your landscape needs it. Over-watering can cause root rot and
foliage fungal diseases in plants. Town of Longboat Key Resolution
01-12 mandates restricting irrigation to one day per week. Odd
addresses water on Sunday and even addresses on Tuesday. Times to
water on the allowed irrigation day are from midnight to 10 am or 4 pm to
midnight.
Landscape
water conservation tips from your County Cooperative Extension Service:
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Reduce
amount of existing grass.
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Calibrate
your irrigation system to water by amount (¾ inch per watering) instead
of estimating by time.
-
Make
sure you have a functioning rain shut-off device on all automatic lawn
irrigation systems.
-
Use
mulch liberally around plants to conserve moisture.
-
Inspect
irrigation systems to see that they are functioning properly.
System should spray from head to head - no further.
-
Convert
tree and shrub zones to low volume micro-irrigation.
-
Defer
installation of sod until the rainy season begins.
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Install
drought-tolerant plants such as oaks, palms, lantana, crape myrtle and
many perennials.
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Irrigate
shrub/tree beds separately from turf. They need water less often.
-
Group
plants with similar water requirements together.
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Check
system periodically to ensure it is functioning properly and there are
no breaks.
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Reset
the timer on irrigation system after power outages.
Save
it inside
Everyone
can conserve water indoors. Some of the following suggestions may
require a change in daily habits. Decide now to do at least one thing
to conserve indoors. Enlist other family members to do the same.
It’s easy. Start today.
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Turn
off the faucet! Don’t let the water run while doing dishes,
brushing teeth, or shaving.
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Check
to see if your plumbing has any hidden leaks. Read your water
meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being
used. If the meter does not read exactly the same, you have a
leak.
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Toilets
can have “silent” leaks. To find out if your toilet is
leaking, add a little food coloring to the water holding tank. If
you see the color in the bowl 30 minutes later,
your toilet is leaking. If you have a leak, replace the
toilet flapper.
-
Replace
a high-flow toilet with one using 1.6 gallons or less per flush.
Homeowners can save about 15 gallons of water per person per day.
Houses built before 1990 may have toilets using 3.5 or more gallons per
flush. In 1990, Sarasota County ordinance required all new houses
to have low-flow toilets and showerheads. Leaking toilets and
faucets can waste up to 10 gallons/day.
-
Take
short showers instead of baths. Showers use an average of 5 to 7 gallons
per minute, 1/3 the water used to take a bath.
-
Replace
your showerhead with an ultra-low flow model. This will cut water
use to less than 3 gallons per minute and still provide an invigorating
flow. Most homeowners have no trouble
replacing old, wasteful showerheads.
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Install
aerators on all household faucets. These inexpensive devices can reduce
water use up to 60 percent, while maintaining a strong flow.
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Don’t
use your toilet as an ashtray or wastebasket.
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Run
only full loads in the washing machine and dishwasher.
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If
you wash dishes by hand, don’t leave the water running for rinsing.
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Keep
a bottle of drinking water in the refrigerator. This beats the
wasteful habit of running tap water to cool it for drinking.
Where
can I find additional information?
Let
us help you conserve...
The
Town of Longboat Key can help review your landscaping and irrigation
needs. To schedule a landscape/irrigation audit, please call the Town
of Longboat Key Public Works Department at (941) 316-1958 ext. 226, or click
on the following e-mail address link kwebb@longboatkey.org.
Also, talk with your professional landscaper to see what you can do to
conserve.
Stop
by the Public Works Department and pick up a complementary Water
Conservation Kit.
For
irrigation, plant selection and care
Contact:
The
Town thanks Sarasota County Government for providing various elements of
this
water conservation information. |
