St. Johns River Water Management District

News Release

nr09-020

April is Water Conservation Month

PALATKA, Fla., March 10, 2009 - The St. Johns River Water Management District's Governing Board approved a proclamation today designating April as Water Conservation Month to encourage awareness about the importance of water conservation.

"Water conservation is the foundation of Florida's water sustainability and is a critical strategy in meeting the current and future water supply needs of our state," said Susan Hughes, chairman of the District's Governing Board. "The District's support of Water Conservation Month for the past 11 years has helped to heighten awareness of conservation and to encourage water users to take appropriate actions to conserve. We are calling upon each person and business to help protect our water resources by practicing water conservation measures and becoming more aware of the need to conserve water."

The District has numerous programs and projects to encourage and require water conservation, including its Florida Water StarSM new home certification program. More than 60 homes in northeast and east-central Florida have earned Florida Water StarSM certification since the program was initiated in 2006. These water-conserving homes save water through water-efficient household fixtures and appliances, waterwise landscaping and efficient irrigation.

In addition, when daylight saving time began on March 8, 2009, new restrictions specifying the days of the week for landscape irrigation became effective. Irrigation is limited to no more than two days a week during daylight saving time and to one day a week during Eastern Standard Time, which will resume on Nov. 1 this year.

During daylight saving time, specified days of the week for irrigation are Wednesday and Saturday for residential landscape irrigation at odd numbered addresses or no address, Thursday and Sunday for residential landscape irrigation at even numbered addresses, and Tuesday and Friday for nonresidential landscape irrigation. No irrigation is allowed between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

For additional details about the watering restrictions and for tips on how to conserve water, visit floridaswater.com.

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