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May 1, 2008
Shelley Szafraniec, APR
Community Information Specialist

VOLUSIA COUNTY OFFERS MAY WATER CONSERVATION TIPS

Water conservation takes on an even greater importance as we enter into what is typically the driest period of the year.

April was a transition month due to the ceasing of cold weather fronts that typically bring rain during autumn and winter, according to Tom Carey, pollution control manager with Volusia County Environmental Management. In addition, the typical daily afternoon thunderstorms have not begun because the weather is not hot enough. These afternoon rains typically begin in the middle of May.

Volusia County continues to maintain mandatory watering restrictions. Residents may water their lawns from 4 - 8 a.m. on certain days, depending on their address. The restrictions are:

• Residents with odd numbered addresses may water their lawns Wednesdays and Saturdays.
• Residents with even numbered addresses may water their lawns Thursdays and Sundays.

Homeowners without an automatic timer can water their lawns from 5 - 9 p.m. on their designated days. According to Carey, hand watering is permitted anytime. However, avoidance of hours with high evaporation (8 a.m. - 5 p.m.) is encouraged.

For a recording on the water restrictions, please call Volusia County at (386) 736-5998.

For more information or to report a violation, please call (386) 248-8115, ext. 5925, in Daytona Beach, (386) 736-5925 in West Volusia, or (386) 424-6815, ext. 5925, in New Smyrna Beach, or e-mail bdonofrio@co.volusia.fl.us

In addition to following the water restrictions, residents always are encouraged to implement water conservation in their daily activities and can include:

• Take shorter showers
A typical shower uses five to 10 gallons of water a minute. Limit showers to the time it takes to soap up, wash down and rise off.

• Install water-saving shower heads or flow restrictors
Hardware or plumbing supply stores stock inexpensive shower heads or flow restrictors that will cut shower flow to about three-gallons-a-minute instead of five to 10. They are easy to install, and showers still will be cleansing and refreshing.

• Take baths
A partially filled tub uses less water than all but the shortest showers.

• Turn off the water when brushing teeth
Before brushing, wet the brush and fill a glass of water for rinsing.

• Turn off the water while shaving
Fill the bottom of the sink with a few inches of warm water to rinse the razor.

• Check faucets and pipes for leaks
Even a small drip can waste 50 or more gallons of water a day.

• Use the automatic dishwasher for full loads only
Dishwashers use about 25 gallons of water each time the run through a cycle.

• Use the automatic washing machine only for full loads only
Automatic washers use about 30 to 35 gallons per cycle.

• Don't let the faucet run while cleaning vegetables
Rinse vegetables instead in a bowl or sink full of clean water.

• Keep a bottle of drinking water in the refrigerator
This puts a stop to the wasteful practice of running tap water to cool it for drinking.

• When washing dishes by hand, don't leave the water running for rinsing
For two sinks, fill one with rinse water. For one sink, gather all washed dishes in a dish rack, then rinse them quickly with a spray device or a pan of water.

• Check faucets and pipes for leaks
Leaks waste water 24 hours a day, seven days a week. An inexpensive washer usually is enough to stop them.

For more information on water conservation, please visit www.volusia.org/water

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