Water-wise News, Citrus County Utilities: July is Smart Irrigation Month
IRRIGATION
Irrigation watering should be scheduled for once per week. If you need help with your irrigation controller, call Citrus County Utilities at 352-527-7669 to schedule a free one-time training.
A functioning rain sensor is required on all automatic irrigation systems in Florida, per Florida Statute. Rain sensors interrupt irrigation after receiving a set amount of rain, typically one-half to three-quarters of an inch. Sensors typically dry and allow normal irrigation after about 18 hours after a rain. Bypassing the sensor during this period to apply additional water is wasteful, as wetting an already wet lawn provides no additional benefit. Please verify that your sensor is NOT in bypass mode.
Rebates are available to replace rain sensors ($50) and irrigation controllers ($100) with WaterSense products. Here's a link to the rebate application: citruswater.wufoo.com/forms/z18olalc0an7h7v.
Information about rebates to purchase WaterSense toilets is also listed below (see "Rebate Information").
Irrigation, July-November: One scheduled irrigation of one-half to three-quarters on an inch per week, which is equal to about 30 to 45 minutes per rotor head zone and 15 to 20 minutes per spray head zone.
Per restrictions, watering is limited to one day per week, either before 10:00 a.m. or after 4:00 p.m. (not both), as follows; address numbers ending in:
0 or 1 - Water on Monday.
2 or 3 - Water on Tuesday.
4 or 5 - Water on Wednesday.
6 or 7 - Water on Thursday.
8 or 9 and locations with a mix of addresses or no address - Water on Friday.
July is Smart Irrigation Month
Does Your Irrigation Controller Adjust After Sufficient Rainfall? More than 28 million homes across the United States have in-ground sprinkler systems, and most of those systems schedule watering with some sort of clock-based device. As a result, many homeowners waste water by irrigating their landscapes when they may not need it. Experts estimate that as much as half the water we use outdoors may go to waste due to inefficient irrigation methods and systems. Take control of your controller with a WaterSense labeled weather-based or soil moisture-based model.
WaterSense labeled irrigation controllers can replace or upgrade clock-based controllers to better tailor watering schedules for landscapes. These smart technologies can reduce or override scheduled irrigation when sufficient moisture is available.
WaterSense labeled irrigation controllers tailor watering times based on local weather and landscape conditions, giving plants water when needed. With proper installation, programming, and maintenance, homeowners will reduce water waste outdoors and promote plant health.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that installing a WaterSense labeled irrigation controller can save an average home with an automatic landscape irrigation system up to 15,000 gallons of water annually. When you are ready to upgrade and save, look for the WaterSense label. $100 rebate available (see below). For more information, visit epa.gov/watersense.
REBATE INFORMATION
Rain Sensor Replacement — $50
Link to Rain Sensor replacement application: citruswater.wufoo.com/forms/z18olalc0an7h7v
Water Sense Labeled Irrigation Controller — $100 (auto-adjusting controller)
Link to Irrigation Controller replacement application: citruswater.wufoo.com/forms/z18olalc0an7h7v
Toilet Rebate (up to two toilets per household)
If you're hinking about replacing your old toilet, take photos of it while it is still installed, and submit a rebate application for an account credit with Citrus County Utilities. The photos should show the date stam or gallons per fluch. Homes built in 1995 or later must show GPF to qualify. The old toilet must use 1.6 gallons per flush (GPF) or more to qualify.
If replacing a toilet that flushes more than 1.6 gallon per flush with 1.28 gpf or less: $100 for the first toilet and $75 for the second toilet. If replacing a 1.6 gallon per flush with 1.28 gpf or less: $25 per toilet.
If you have a question about a rebate please call (352) 527-7669. Visit this link for a Toilet Rebate Application: citruswater.wufoo.com/forms/w1q2e5ah1lhbrb4.
GARDENING
Florida-Friendly Landscaping (FFL) program.
Join a FREE workshop available at the Extension Services office in Lecanto. Upcoming workshops include the following topics:
• Palms in Central Florida
• Optimizing Irrigation Systems
• Protecting Local Waterways
• Managing Pests Wisely
For a complete list and to register, visit: ccufflprogram.eventbrite.com. If you need Florida-Friendly Landscaping advice, call FFL Coordinator Steven Davis at 352-527-5708.
What to do in the Landscape and Garden during July, 2024
Annuals/Bedding Plants:
As the heat continues, water annuals and perennials by hand or micro-irrigation when needed. If using irrigation heads via automatic system, additional watering may only occur if NO grass is being irrigated. See Annuals at edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topics/annuals.
Azaleas:
Flower beds have formed. Prune no later than mid-July to protect next spring's bloom. See Azalea at edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_azalea.
Vegetable garden:
Use summer heat to solarize garden soil for fall planting. It takes 4–6 weeks to kill weeds, disease, and nematodes, so start now. See Soil Solarization at edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_soil_solarization.
Vegetables:
Start your tomato and Halloween pumpkin seeds! Cucumbers, peppers, and southern peas, can also be planted now. Watch for insects and disease symptoms. See Vegetable Gardening in Florida at edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_vegetable_gardening.
For more details on gardening topics and more, visit sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/lawn-and-garden/florida-gardening-calendar.
If you're planning or adding to the landscape, the Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Guide to Plant Selection and Landscape Design offers color images, zones hardiness, drought tolerance, light requirement and more can be viewed at https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/resources/publications/.
Contact Citrus County Utilities
Phone:
(352) 527-7669
Business Office Location:
Citrus County Department of Water Resources
3600 W Sovereign Path Ste 202
Lecanto, FL 34461-7726
Website:
https://www.citrusbocc.com/departments/water_resources/utility_customer_service___billing/index.php