PALATKA, Fla., March 9, 2010 -- The St. Johns River Water Management District's Governing Board today approved a proclamation designating April as Water Conservation Month to encourage awareness about the importance of water conservation.
"Water conservation is a critical strategy in meeting the current and future water supply needs of our state," said Susan Hughes, chairwoman of the District's Governing Board. "The District has been committed to water conservation for many years and the District's support of Water Conservation Month for the past 12 years has helped bring awareness to the importance of conservation."
In March 2009, the District expanded watering restrictions to help ensure that water used for irrigation is used efficiently. The restrictions include limiting irrigation to one day a week during Eastern Standard Time and two days per week during daylight saving time. On March 8, the Governing Board held its third workshop to discuss concepts to improve public supply water conservation by making changes to agency rules.
Other District conservation initiatives include:
- Permit conditions that require all permit holders to use water efficiently
- The development of water use efficiency goals for public water supply, commercial/industrial/institutional self-supply, and agricultural processes
- Water conservation rule changes to make permitting and other District programs more effective at reducing water demand
- District education programs such as The Great Water OdysseySM, which teaches the importance of efficient water use to adults and children, and Florida Water StarSM, which outlines criteria for making existing and new homes and commercial buildings water-efficient inside and out
- An annual water conservation public awareness campaign
- Partnering in the Conserve Florida Project, a statewide effort to assist public water supply utilities in the development of water conservation plans and programs
- Cost-share funding with local governments, water supply utilities and other entities on innovative water conservation projects
Visit floridaswater.com/waterconservation for additional details about irrigation rules or for tips on how to conserve water.