Water Conservation, Citrus County, FL, March 2023
Irrigation
Spring arrives March 20th. If you haven't already done, adjust the irrigation schedule to water once per week. If you have a Water Sense labeled irrigation controller, there is no need to make adjustments because the controller will automatically increase runtimes to meet spring water needs. But, like all irrigation systems, do verify the irrigation is running on its scheduled day. If your system irrigates while you are asleep, place a rain gauge or tuna can in the landscape. It will capture irrigation as proof of the system running.
March through November: One scheduled irrigation of 1/2” to 3/4” each week. 1/2” of irrigation is about 30 minutes per rotor head zone and 15 minutes per spray head zone.
Per restrictions, allowable watering is limited to one day per week, either before 10:00 a.m. or after 4:00 p.m. (not both), as follows:
0 or 1 -- Monday
2 or 3 -- Tuesday
4 or 5 -- Wednesday
6 or 7 -- Thursday
8 or 9 and locations with a mix of addresses or no address -- Friday
March 20-26, 2023 is EPS Water Sense Fix a Leak Week
Minor water leaks account for nearly 1 trillion gallons of water wasted in U.S. homes annually according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. To raise awareness, EPA WaterSense® promotes Fix a Leak Week the third week of March. The week is an annual reminder to Americans to check household plumbing fixtures and irrigation systems for leaks. Ten percent of homes have leaks that waste 90 gallons or more per day. The County’s water meter is a great tool to determine if you have a leak. Begin by turning off all water-using fixtures inside and outside the house. Don’t forget the icemaker and auto-pool filler. Now, write down the numbers from your water meter. The meter is typically near the road. Next, wait 15 minutes and write the numbers again. If the numbers increased, there is a leak. If you know where the home’s indoor water shut off is (NOT the County’s in the box), turn it off and perform the test again. If the numbers stay the same, then the leak is inside. If the numbers increase again, the issue is outside. Toilets and irrigation systems are the most common leak culprits. See 'Get a handle on leaks' below for toilet testing instructions.
In addition to using the meter to check for leaks, here are some more opportunities to get involved Fix A Leak Week:
Saturday, March 18, 2023: 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
Shrimpapalooza Festival
Homosassa Civic Club, 5530 S. Mason Creek Rd., Homosassa, FL
Stop by our booth at the festival to pick up leak detection tablets, Mardi Gras masks for the kids, and get Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ advice. Visit www.shrimpapalooza.com.
Thursday, March 23, 2023: 12:00 - 2:30 pm
Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ and Water Conservation Expo
Sugarmill Woods Country Club, 1 Douglas St., Homosassa, FL
Booth-style event. Experts on hand to answer your questions. Plant raffle and giveaways.
Schedule an irrigation checkup and leak detection training: Call (352) 527-7669
Would you like to schedule a water expo or irrigation system 101 training for your club, business, or homeowner owner association? Send an email to Debra.Burden@citrusbocc.com.
Get a Handle on Leaks
Does your toilet have a silent leak? Drop a dye tablet (or 10 drops of food coloring) into your toilet’s tank and wait 10 minutes. If the color appears in the bowl, you have a leak that can probably be fixed by replacing a worn toilet flapper. Don’t forget to flush afterwards to remove any leftover dye. Dye tablets are available at the Lecanto Government Building, located at 3600 W. Sovereign Path, Lecanto, FL.
Want an Easy Fix to Save Water? Flip Your Flapper (SEE DIAGRAM)
Do you know what a toilet flapper is? This simple rubber device holds water in the tank, then releases water into the bowl when you flush. It needs to be replaced about every 5 years or your toilet could leak. Pro Tip: Before shopping for a new flapper, remove the old one and take it with you. This will ensure you get the right replacement. Some flappers have a foam float on the chain that needs replacing too.
March Planting
Annuals/Bedding Plants: Replace declining winter annuals with varieties such as angelonia, gazania, and salvia that will provide color now and into the summer months. See Annuals: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_annual_landscape_plants.
Azaleas: Prune azaleas just after plants finish blooming to shape or produce a fuller plant. See Azalea: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_azalea.
Vegetables: Warm-season crops, such as beans, peppers, squash, and others can be planted now. See Vegetable Gardening in Florida: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_vegetable_gardening.
Shrubs and trees: Prune when the dormant season ends and new growth begins. See Pruning Landscape Trees and Shrubs: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_tree_pruning.
For more details on these topics and more, visit: https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/lawn-and-garden/florida-gardening-calendar/.
Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Program
Join a FREE workshop available for in-person or online participation. Upcoming topics include 9 Florida-Friendly Landscaping Principles, Lawns in Central Florida, and Drought Tolerant plants.
For details and to register, go to: https://ccufflprogram.eventbrite.com.
Need some Florida-Friendly Landscaping advice? Call FFL Coordinator Steven Davis at 352-527-5708.
Rebates Available for poroducts with EPA Water Sense logo
Rain Sensor Replacement — $50
Water Sense labeled Toilet — up to $100 (pre-approval required) Replace up to two pre-1995 toilets per household.
Water Sense labeled Irrigation Controller — $100 (auto-adjusting controller)
Questions? Call (352) 527-7669. For details and application click here:
www.citrusbocc.com/departments/water_resources/water_conservation/programs/water_savers_rebate_program.php.