Water-wise News, Citrus County, Florida
Citrus County Utilities - Water Conservation
About Irrigation
Irrigation watering should be scheduled once per week. If help is needed to operate your irrigation controller, call 352-527-7669 to schedule a free one-time training.
Rain sensors interrupt irrigation after receiving a set amount of rain, typically one-half to three-quarters of an inch. A functioning rain sensor is required on all automatic irrigation systems in Florida, per Statute. Sensors typically dry and allow normal irrigation after about 18 hours. Bypassing the sensor during this period to apply additional water is wasteful, as wetting an already damp soil 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. The rebate application is available at citruswater.wufoo.com/forms/z18olalc0an7h7v.
During September-November, one scheduled irrigation of one-half to three-quarters of an inch each week is sufficient. That's 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:
Addresses 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
REBATE INFORMATION
Rain Sensor Replacement — $50, link to rebate application: citruswater.wufoo.com/forms/z18olalc0an7h7v.
Water Sense Labeled Irrigation Controller — $100 (automatic-adjusting controller); link to rebate application: citruswater.wufoo.com/forms/z18olalc0an7h7v.
Toilet Rebate (up to two toilets per household); link to rebate application: citruswater.wufoo.com/forms/w1q2e5ah1lhbrb4.
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.
Want to add new plants to the landscape?
The Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Guide to Plant Selection and Landscape Design offers color images, zones hardiness, drought tolerance, light requirements and more: https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/.
Florida-Friendly Landscaping program.
Join a FREE workshop available at the UF/IFAS Extension Services office, located at 3650 W. Sovereign Path in Lecanto, Florida. Upcoming topics include:
Vegetable Gardens in Central FL, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, 2:00 - 4:00 pm
Right Plant, Right Place, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, 2:00 - 4:00 pm
Irrigation & Turf Management 101, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, 12:00 - 3:00 pm
For a complete list of workshops and to register, visit: https://ccufflprogram.eventbrite.com.
Need some Florida-Friendly Landscaping advice? Call FFL Coordinator Steven Davis at 352-527-5708.
What to do in the Landscape and Garden in September
Annuals/Bedding Plants: Try ageratum, celosia, zinnia, and wax begonia for color into fall. See Annuals: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topics/annuals.
Vegetable: 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/topic_vegetable_gardening.
Perennials and bulbs: Divide and replant those that have grown too large or need rejuvenation. Add organic matter to new planting areas and monitor water needs during establishment. See Seeds and Propagation (Lawn and Garden): https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topics/plant_propagation.
Bulbs: Add color, texture, and pattern to the garden with the many varieties of calla, narcissus, and zephyr lily. See Bulbs for Florida: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_bulbous_flowers.
Herbs: Plant Mexican tarragon, mint, rosemary, and basil. See Herbs: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_herbs
Vegetable garden: Prepare the fall vegetable garden if not done in August. Using transplants from your local garden center will get the garden off to a fast start, but seeds offer more varieties to choose from. For a list of Florida-proven performers, See Vegetable Gardening in Florida:
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_vegetable_gardening.
For more details on these topics and more, visit:
https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/lawn-and-garden/florida-gardening-calendar/.