September water conservation tips, Citrus County, Florida
Citrus County Utilities
Water-wise News
Water-wise News
Citrus County Utilities
Water Conservation
Schedule irrigation for one day per week, according to the schedule below. If you need training on your irrigation system or to learn how to adjust the irrigation controller, call (352) 527-7669.
September through November: One scheduled irrigation of 1/2 inch to 3/4” inch each week. 3/4 inch of irrigation is about 45 minutes per rotor head zone and 20 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. (but not both), as follows:
Addresses Ending in:
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
EASY $100 Account Credit
Like so many technologies that have evolved, irrigation controllers have come a long way in recent years. Today’s weather-based controllers simplify irrigation while maintaining a beautiful landscape, saving water and saving money. This smart technology automatically reduces irrigation after heavy rainfall and during cooler months when grass doesn’t need as much water.
Citrus County Utilities is taking advantage of smart technology. One program focused on 434 of the County’s highest water users has saved customers nearly $300,000 on water bills and 100 million gallons of water over a four-year period.
Citrus County Utilities offers its customers a $100 account credit for upgrading their irrigation controller to a Water Sense labeled model. These smart fixtures have been independently certified to save, and work as well or better than standard fixtures. If you have a Rain Bird or Hunter controller, upgrading may be as easy as plugging in a device or switching the rain sensor. See if you have one of the controller models below that can easily be upgraded with a Smart Add-On to qualify for a $100 account credit.
Rain Bird Models: ESP-ME, ESP-ME3, ESP-RZXe, ESP-TM2
Smart Add-On: LNK2 Wi-Fi module*
Cost: $110-$178
Account Credit: $100
Hunter Models: Pro-C, X-Core, I-Core, ACC, ACC2, ICC2, PCC
Smart Add-On: Solar Sync sensor (mini weather station)
Fixture Cost: $106-$178
Account Credit: $100
Rain Bird LNK2. *Compatible with listed models manufactured after Nov. 2, 2016. Functioning rain sensor required.
Hunter Solar Sync sensor. This mini-weather station takes the place of existing rain sensor.
We are Here to Help
Schedule a free one-time irrigation checkup, rain sensor test & training. Call (352) 527-7669 for an appointment.
28th Annual Save Our Waters Week: September 16 - 23, 2023
Tour the newly updated Southwest Regional Water Reclamation facility in Sugarmill Woods on Thursday, September 21, 2023 ar 9:00 am. Sign up for a tour of Citrus County’s reclamation facility to learn how it will use advanced water treatment to reduce future groundwater withdrawals. Call (352) 527-7684 or email Debra.Burden@citrusbocc.com to register. Daily activities including free kayaking, boat tours and lectures during this 28th annual Save Our Waters Week event. For a complete list of events, click here: https://mailchi.mp/5d3f73379107/saveourwatersweek2023.
Rebates Available for products with a 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)
For details and an application, click here: https://www.citrusbocc.com/departments/water_resources/water_conservation/programs/water_savers_rebate_program.php.
For questions or to schedule a free one-time irrigation checkup, rain sensor test or controller training, call (352) 527-7669.
Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ (FFL) Program
Join a FREE workshop available for in-person or online. Upcoming topics include:
Right Plant, Right Place
Create a Florida-Friendly Landscape
Irrigation & Turf Management 101
For a complete list and to register, visit: https://ccufflprogram.eventbrite.com. Need some Florida-Friendly Landscaping advice? Call FFL Coordinator Steven Davis at 352-527-5708.
September Gardening
Annuals/Bedding Plants: If summer beds need refreshing, try ageratum, coleus, celosia, zinnia, and wax begonia for color into fall. See Annuals: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/MG319.
Vegetables: It is time to establish strawberry plants. Other veggies to plant now are broccoli, carrot, cabbage, collards, and many others. See Vegetable Gardening in Florida: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/VH021.
Herbs: Plant herbs that tolerate the warm temperatures of early fall, such as Mexican tarragon, mint, rosemary, and basil. See Herbs: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_herbs.
Perennials and bulbs: Get free plants from your yard by dividing and replanting those that have grown too large or need rejuvenation. See Creating New Plants Propagation: https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/care/planting/propagation.html.
Garden for hummingbirds: Plant firebush, firespike, russelia, and other plants to supply nectar for visiting hummingbirds. See Hummingbird Gardening: https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/design/types-of-gardens/hummingbird-gardens.html.
For more details on these topics and more, visit:
https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/lawn-and-garden/florida-gardening-calendar/
https://twitter.com/citrusbocc
https://www.facebook.com/CitrusCountyBOCC
Citrus County Department of Water Resources
3600 W Sovereign Path, Suite 202
Lecanto, Florida 34461-7726
Phone: (352) 527-7669
Email: Debra.Burden@Citrusbocc.com