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From Volusia County Water Resources and Utilities

November/December 2002

The office of Volusia County Water  Resources & Utilities extends to you and yours a joyous holiday season and New Year filled with peace, health, happiness and prosperity.

Stormwater Improvement Project: 
Daytona Highridge Estates

The stormwater utility is currently constructing drainage improvements to Daytona Highridge Estates. The project is located on U.S. 92, south of Indian Lake Rd. It consists of the construction of a 2 acre landscaped retention pond, swales, new pipes/inlets, and re-grading of existing street ditch lines. The new infrastructure replaces the old, undersized stormwater system, which will result in improved drainage efficiency and water quality improvements (pollution removal). The project is supported by a grant from the St. Johns River Water Management District. It is located in the Tomoka River Watershed.

Plant of the Month

Evergreen tree
 Ilex vomitoria (EYE-lex vom-ee-TORE-ee-ah)
Location: sun to shade
Height: 20'   Spread: 20'

The tree produces small white flowers in the spring and red berries in the fall and winter on the female plants. The plant is bushy unless trimmed into tree form. Its bark is light in color and has interesting branching. It is easy to grow in all soils and is drought tolerant. A native plant to Florida, it’s definitely a plant to be considered for your yard.

Toilet Rebate Program

Because an estimated 40% of water used indoors in a typical home is flushed down the toilet, Volusia County Utilities instituted a toilet rebate program.  In May and June this year, over 1200 letters were mailed to water customers in King’s Lake, Lake Marie Estates, Breezewood Park and Terra Alta advising them of an opportunity to participate in a toilet rebate pilot program.  The program allowed for a $50.00 credit to be applied to the customer’s water bill if their existing toilet was replaced with an ultra low flow toilet.  Ultra low flow toilets use only 1.6 gallons per flush as opposed to 3.5 to 7 gallons for the older models. Several water customers participated in the program.  Toilets had to be purchased after the letters were received. Rebates were not available to customers who made prior toilet conversions.  We are now happy to open the program up to the rest of our water customers.  If your household toilet is over 10 years old and your water account is in good standing, you are eligible for the $50.00 rebate when you remove your old toilet and install one of the ultra low flow models.  If you are interested, please contact Becky Adkins at 943-7027 ext. 2611 for details.

Fats, Oils and Greases aren’t just bad for arteries and waistlines; they’re bad for sewers too.

Sewer overflows and backups can cause health hazards, damage home interiors and threaten the environment.  An increasingly common cause of overflows is sewer pipes blocked by grease.  Grease gets into the sewer from household drains as well as from poorly maintained grease traps in restaurants and other businesses.

So you ask: “ What can I do to help?”

  • Never pour grease down sink drains or into toilets.
  • Scrape grease and food scraps into the trash for disposal.
  • Place a basket/strainer in the sink drain to catch food scraps and other solids and dispose of properly.

Waterwise Tip

 To help increase our groundwater, homeowners can reduce property rainwater runoff.  Simply landscape the front and back yards with gentle hills and valleys.  When it rains, more water will be retained in the lower depressions, thus reducing the amount of “good” rainwater that goes down the corner storm drain.  After the rain has stopped, it takes only a few extra minutes for the retained rainwater to finish penetrating the soil and begin its long journey down to the underground aquifer.

Choose a picture which best matches the tips below! 


Shower uses 2-5 gallons a minute


Bathroom faucet uses 2-5 gallons a minute


Toilet uses 3-7 gallons
a flush


Dishwasher uses 25
gallons a load


Kitchen sink uses 2-5
gallons a minute


Washing machine uses 30 gallons a load

A. Turn this off while you brush your teeth. 
B. Don't use this as a wastebasket. 
C. Keep water in the refrigerator instead of letting it run.  
D. If your clothes are still clean, wear them again. 
E. Make sure its full before you run it. 
F. Take a short one of these. 

What steps are being taken to ensure my drinking water is safe?
Water utilities test the water regularly to make sure it is free from contamination.  In addition, most cities, counties and private utilities disinfect the water primarily with chlorine.  This provides an added protection from harmful organisms.  Water utilities take their mission of delivering safe water very seriously and have had emergency preparedness and response plans in place for many years.  The events of September 11, 2001 have resulted in water utilities revisiting those plans to ensure that all contingencies have been addressed. 

Local Children Using Water Conservation as Theme for Science Projects.

Some area 4-H members and school children are creating  science projects with a focus on water conservation. 
WAY TO GO!  THANKS FOR MAKING OTHERS MORE AWARE!!

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Volusia County, Florida.