Seminole Tribe of Florida - Emergency Management Department

Be Water Smart

Saving Water Outdoors

• Don’t overwater your lawn – no more than once a week in the winter or twice a week in the summer.
• Plant it smart. Xeriscape landscaping is a great way to design, install and maintain both your plants and irrigation system.
• Water lawns during the early morning hours when temperatures and wind speed are the lowest.
• Position sprinklers so water lands on the lawn and shrubs and not on paved areas.
• Check sprinkler systems and timing devices regularly to be sure they operate properly. Florida law now requires that “anyone who purchases and installs an automatic lawn sprinkler system MUST install a rain sensor device or switch which will override the irrigation cycle when adequate rainfall has occurred.”
• Raise the lawn mower blade to at least three inches, or to its highest level.
• Avoid over fertilizing your lawn.
• Use mulch to retain moisture in the soil. (Help preserve native cypress forests by selecting other types of mulch such as treated melaleuca.)
• Plant native and/or drought-tolerant grasses, ground covers, shrubs and trees.
• Use a broom or blower instead of a hose to clean leaves and other debris from your driveway or sidewalk.
• Use a shut-off nozzle on your hose which can be adjusted down to a fine spray, so that water flows only as needed. When finished, turn it off at the faucet instead of at the nozzle, to avoid leaks.
• Do not leave sprinklers or hoses unattended.
• Avoid purchasing recreational water toys which require a constant stream of water.
• Consider using a commercial car wash that recycles water. If you wash your own car, park on the grass and use a hose with an automatic shut-off nozzle.
• Avoid installing ornamental water features (such as fountains) unless they use recycled water.
• If you have a swimming pool, consider a new water-saving pool filter.

In Your Home

• Never pour water down the drain when there may be another use for it. Use it to water your indoor plants or garden.
• Make sure your home is leak-free.
• Repair dripping faucets by replacing washers.
• Retrofit all household faucets by installing aerators with flow restrictors.
• Check for toilet leaks by adding food coloring to the tank.
• If the toilet handle frequently sticks in the flush position, letting water run constantly, replace or adjust it.
• Take shorter showers.
• In the shower, turn water on to get wet; turn off to lather up; then turn the water back on to rinse off. Repeat when washing your hair.
• Operate automatic dishwashers and clothes washers only when they are fully loaded or set the water level for the size of load you are using.
• Store drinking water in the refrigerator. Don’t let the tap run while you are waiting for water to cool.
• Do not use running water to thaw meat or other frozen foods. Defrost food overnight in the refrigerator, or use the defrost setting on your microwave.
• Do not waste water waiting for it to get hot. Capture it for other uses such as plant watering or heat it on the stove or in a microwave.
• Don’t let water run while brushing your teeth, washing your face or shaving.
• Install water softening systems only when necessary. Turn softeners off while on vacation.

General Water Saving Tips

• Follow water conservation guidelines in your community.
• Conserve water because it is the right thing to do – even when someone else is footing the bill, such as when you are staying at a hotel.
• Try to do one thing each day that will result in saving water. Every drop counts!