Water Conservation

Simple Steps to Save Water Outdoors and Indoors

Outdoor Tips

  • During cooler months, water your lawn every other week. Yards do not need watering as much during this time.
  • Water your lawn wisely. Irrigation systems account for about half of all residential water use.
  • Maintain your irrigation system. Be sure to fix broken heads or lines & readjust misdirected sprinkler heads.
  • Water your lawn during the early morning (before 10 AM) or early evening hours (after 4 PM). When temperatures are the lowest, it reduces evaporation which in turn saves water.
  • Use the “Catch Can” method. This can help to determine how much water to apply to your yard, & to see if you are watering uniformly across the landscape area.
    • Catch Can Method: Place five to seven wide-mouthed, flat bottom cans (e.g. a tuna can) throughout the areas to be watered. Irrigate each area as you normally would. When you have finished irrigating an area, measure the depth of water in each can. Average the measurements & use this number to determine how long you need to water to apply three-quarters of an inch in each irrigation zone.
  • Be sure you're following the City's watering restrictions.

Indoor Tips

  • Turn off the water when brushing your teeth.
  • Wait until the dishwasher and washing machine is full before turning it on.
  • Install a water aerator on your kitchen faucet. An aerator allows the water pressure to remain the same but can help to reduce water use by as much as one full gallon every minute.
  • Check for leaks regularly. Check under all sinks and crawl spaces. A leaky toilet or faucet can waste thousands of gallons of water each month.
  • Install low flow toilets and showerheads. This can dramatically reduce your indoor water use.
    • Free Water Saving Device: Have a free water-saving showerhead and toilet flapper delivered to your residence, contact Utility Billing at 407-327-5996. These devices can reduce the water used for showering and at the sink by 50% while still providing excellent pressure.
  • Take shorter showers. Try shortening your time in the shower by two minutes.
  • Fill your bath up halfway. Once in the tub, the water should rise to a comfortable level.
  • When purchasing appliances that use water, consider high-efficiency machines.

Free Water Audit

We want to help you reduce your water usage and lower your water bill by offering a free water audit. Request an audit by contacting Winter Springs Utility Billing at 407-327-5996.

cypress
Why Conserve Water?

Water conservation is a well-discussed topic among government agencies today as well as among citizens. Water conservation is an especially relevant topic in Florida. Perhaps you would not expect a state that is surrounded by water and filled with rivers, lakes, and marshes to have a problem with water shortage. Florida is the 4th most populated state in the U.S., but only the 26th largest. More groundwater is used in Florida than in any other state east of the Mississippi.

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Proper disposal of household hazardous waste is critical. These types of waste can leach harmful contaminants into our ground and surface water, thereby contaminating the water we drink and harming aquatic wildlife.

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How Can I Conserve Water?

Some may think conserving water is inconvenient, expensive, or will ruin their lawn. The City of Winter Springs would like to show you that you can conserve water, save money, help the environment, and still have a fabulous lawn!

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Frequently Asked Questions

How can a rain sensor benefit you in a typical Florida summer?

According to the Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.)40C-2.042(5), a rain sensor device is required on all sprinkler systems installed after May 1, 1991. Aside from being a requirement, a rain sensor is a smart and easy way to conserve water and save money, especially during a typical Florida summer. Central Florida receives an average annual rainfall of approximately 55 inches, with the majority occurring from June to September. A rain sensor will automatically shut off sprinkler systems during and after rain showers. They allow the irrigation system to return to its regular schedule of watering once the sensor dries out. Rain sensor prices vary, but popular models can be purchased for around $20 at a home improvement store or your local irrigation supply store.

Category: Water Conservation
How can I conserve hot water?

If the hot water takes a long time to reach the faucet, consider installing a hot water recirculator system that will give hot water much faster. If that is not within your budget, keep a bucket under the sink that you can catch the cold water in while you are waiting. You can use this to water plants, give to pets, etc.

Category: Water Conservation
How can I conserve water in my bathroom?

Installing low flow faucet aerators is an inexpensive and simple way to conserve water. A faucet aerator is a device that screws onto the end of the faucet and mixes air into the water, so it reduces the flow of water while providing pressure. Aerators can reduce circulation to as low as 0.5 gallons per minute (GPM). Most standard faucets are equipped with an aerator that flows at 2.2 GPM or higher. Regardless of what type of aerator you have, you should always turn off the water while lathering hands for washing, brushing teeth, shaving, etc.

A low flow showerhead can use as little as 1.25 gallons per minute (GPM) depending on the model. Standard showerheads typically use 2.5 GPM. Installing a low flow showerhead and reducing the amount of time you spend in the shower can significantly reduce water usage. Taking a short shower will use less water than a bath. A typical bathtub requires 70 gallons of water to fill, while a 5-minute shower using a low flow showerhead can use as little as 6.5 gallons.

The toilet is one of the largest users of water in the household. Replacing your old toilet with a new low flow model can save thousands of gallons per year. Low flow toilets require as little as 0.8 gallons of water per flush while older model toilets use approximately 4 gallons per flush. If you do not want to replace your existing toilet, you can make it more efficient by installing a low flow toilet flapper that reduces the amount of water you use per flush. You can also place an object such as a plastic water bottle filled with sand or gravel into the tank to displace water and reduce the amount of water needed to fill the tank.

Category: Water Conservation
How can I conserve water in my yard?

Depending on the size of your yard, the majority of your water use could go to irrigation. Being able to program your irrigation clock is essential. New homeowners may never change the settings that were established when they moved in, and since many systems spray in the late night or early morning hours, it is likely that residents don't know how many days a week their irrigation is running or how long each zone runs. Irrigation timers may not have a backup battery installed so if the power goes out, the timer will be reset and will need to be reprogrammed. Most irrigation timers have a manual available for download online if the original has been misplaced.

Check to make sure all of the sprinkler heads are in proper working order by turning on your irrigation system. It's advised that the same brand of heads be used throughout the irrigation system for optimal performance regarding pressure and coverage.

Consider using micro-irrigation whenever possible. Micro-irrigation consists of sprayers, drip hoses, bubblers, misters, etc. that apply water directly to the root zone of the plant rather than broadcasting water over a wide area. Micro-irrigation is ideal for planted beds, shrubs, and newly planted trees.

Consider reducing the amount of grass in your yard by installing Florida friendly/native plants. Planted beds of this type are attractive, require little to no water once established, and can attract a variety of wildlife. If you go to a home improvement store's garden center, the label will typically tell you the water requirements of the plant. If you would like to have a native garden, you may want to go to a local native plant nursery. The Department of Environmental Protection defines a Florida native plant as "a species that occurred in Florida at the time of European contact or 1500s". Florida natives are adapted to the conditions in Florida and are less likely to require irrigation, pesticides, and fertilizers. You could also consider replacing your current grass with a more drought tolerant species such as Bahia. Species that are drought tolerant will tend to look healthier for longer during periods of drought with less irrigation.

Category: Water Conservation
When can I water my lawn?

Rule 40C-2.042(2), of the Florida Administrative Code, has been adopted as part of the irrigation ordinance of the City of Winter Springs. The rule puts into effect mandatory watering restrictions as follows:

Time of the Year Odd Numbered Address or No Address Even Numbered Address Nonresidential Properties
Daylight Saving Time Wednesday/Saturday Thursday/Sunday Tuesday/Friday
Eastern Standard Time Saturday Sunday Tuesday

  • Daylight saving time: Second Sunday in March until the first Sunday in November

  • Eastern Standard Time: First Sunday in November until the second Sunday in March

  • Water only when needed and not between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

  • Water for no more than one hour per zone.

  • Restrictions apply to private wells and pumps, ground or surface water, and water from public and private utilities.

  • Some exceptions apply.

These rules apply if you are using potable water or a private well for irrigation. If you have reclaimed water for irrigation, then you may water two days per week year round.

We are committed to lowering excessive water usage. If you observe a resident or business watering on an incorrect day, watering between 10 am and 4 pm, a busted irrigation line or sprinkler head, or other violations of the current watering restrictions, please contact Winter Springs Utility Billing at 407-327-5996 or ubcs@winterspringsfl.org.

Category: Water Conservation
Why is my water bill much higher than usual?

If you notice a sudden, large increase in your monthly water consumption, it could be caused by one of the following:

For a possible leak: Turn all of the water off in your house. Go outside and locate your water meter. It is underground with a plastic cover, typically at the front edge of your property near the sidewalk. The meter may be covered by a couple inches of dirt. Once you have located the meter, look to see if the meter is moving by noting the flow indicator, which could be a small, red or white dial, triangle or wheel. If it is moving, then water is running somewhere. There could be a leak in the house or in the water line from the meter to the house. To test this, locate the shutoff valve that shuts the flow of water off from the main supply to your house. It is usually located on the outside of the house or in the garage and looks similar to a hose bib. If you turn it off and the meter is still running, then the leak is between the meter and the house. The leak should be located and repaired as soon as possible.

For a possible irrigation malfunction: It is common for irrigation timers to reset after a power outage. This can cause the irrigation to run more than intended. Most irrigation timers have more than one program, such as programs (a), (b), (c), etc. Check all programs to ensure only one program has an active start time. Broken sprinkler heads and/or broken pipes typically don't lead to a dramatic increase in water use because the broken area draws pressure away from the rest of the zone and the overall water use does not increase. If you do not have a leak, an error within the irrigation system is often the cause of increased water use.

You may contact Winter Springs Utility Billing at 407-327-5996 or ubcs@winterspringsfl.org to request a water audit to help you determine the cause of your increased water use, adjust your irrigation timer, discuss ways to increase water efficiency, and more.

Category: Water Conservation
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