Rainfall cycles vary, but even during rainy periods only a very small amount of rain
goes to replenish our underground water supplies. Dry periods, combined with a
higher demand for water
, can put a strain on our water supplies.
The av
erage adult needs only 2
1
/2 quarts of water a day to maintain health, but
each person in Florida uses about 120 to 150 gallons of water per day. And with
thousands of people moving to our state each month, future demand on
freshwater supplies will continue to increase.
That's why it's important to use water wisely (whether there's a drought or
not) in our homes, schools and businesses. By conserving water today, we
can do our part to keep water pure and plentiful for future generations.
By following a few simple steps, a family of four can save more than
30,000 gallons of water each year.
You can score big by following this water-saving game plan:
Stuff it. In the wastebasket, that is.
Toss tissues, insects or anything else you
want to get rid of in the trash, not in
the toilet. (Each time you flush, that's
several gallons down the drain.)
Limit your dribbling. Check for leaks or
drips in faucets and toilets. Don't leave
the water running while you brush your
teeth or wash the dishes. When washing
the car
, watering y
our lawn, or ev
en
bathing your dog, use a hose with a
nozzle that automatically s
huts off.
Make a clean sweep. Use a broom or
leaf blower
, not a hose, to clean y
our
driv
eway or sidewalk.
Be a team play
er
.
When helping with
chor
es ar
ound the hou
se, remember to
water lawns and gardens when it is
cooler outdoors — in the early morning
before 10 a.m., in the late afternoon
after 4 p.m. or at night. Water no more
than two days a week and only when it has
not rained. When doing dishes or washing
clothes, use only full loads in automatic
machines. Use one dishpan for washing and
one for rinsing when doing dishes by hand.
Take time out…to remind your friends and
family to con
serv
e.
Take water breaks, but don't let the tap
water run. Instead, keep a bottle of drinking
water in the r
efriger
ator
.
Don't linger in the locker room. Take
s
horter s
hower
s or fill y
our bathtub only
partly full.
Water conservation saves water, energy and money.
Indoor water use in a
water-conserving home
3.4%
1.5%
22.2%
18%
Other
Dishwashers
Bath and
Shower
To i let
8.8%
Leaks
23.9%
Faucets
22.1%
Laundry
5/2004
