DELAND -- Water conservation, though always a priority, takes on an even greater importance today as forecasters are predicting Volusia County will continue to see below-average rainfall in the coming months, said Shelley Szafraniec, a county spokeswoman
Volusia County received less than a half an inch of rain in January and is forecasted to continue to see below-normal rainfall through February and March. Last year, Volusia County also had below-average rainfall, but ended with near-normal rain totals mainly due to rain brought by Tropical Storm Fay in August, according to Volusia County Pollution Control Manager Tom Carey. He said now is the time to be diligent in the use of this most valuable natural resource.
“It is very concerning we are experiencing dry conditions prior to going into the driest time of the year, which typically is April,” Carey said. “Not only are conditions forecasted to be dryer than normal, but also temperatures are forecasted to be higher than normal -- a combination that spells trouble for wildfire conditions and our surface water and groundwater resources.”
Volusia County has mandatory watering restrictions year round to help conserve water. Residents may water their lawns from 4 - 8 a.m. on certain days, depending on their address. The restrictions are:
● Residents with odd numbered addresses may water their lawns Wednesdays and Saturdays.
● Residents with even numbered addresses may water their lawns Thursdays and Sundays.
Homeowners without an automatic timer can water their lawns from 4 - 8 p.m. on their designated days. According to Carey, hand watering is permitted anytime. However, avoidance of hours with high evaporation (8 a.m. - 4 p.m.) is encouraged.
For a recording on the water restrictions, please call Volusia County at (386) 736-5998.
For more information or to report a violation, please call (386) 248-8115 ext. 5925 (Daytona Beach), (386) 736-5925 (West Volusia), (386) 424-6815 ext. 5925 (New Smyrna Beach) or email bdonofrio@co.volusia.fl.us.
In addition to following the water restrictions, residents always are encouraged to implement water conservation in their daily activities and can include:
● Take shorter showers -- A typical shower uses five to 10 gallons of water a minute. Limit showers to the time it takes to soap up, wash down
and rise off.
● Install water-saving shower heads or flow restrictors -- Hardware or plumbing supply stores stock inexpensive shower heads or flow restrictors that will cut shower flow to about three-gallons-a-minute
instead of five to 10. They are easy to install, and showers still will be cleansing and refreshing.
● Take baths -- A partially filled tub uses less water than all but the shortest showers.
● Turn off the water when brushing teeth -- Before brushing, wet the brush and fill a glass of water for rinsing.
● Turn off the water while shaving -- Fill the bottom of the sink with a few inches of warm water to rinse the razor.
● Check faucets and pipes for leaks -- Even a small drip can waste 50 or more gallons of water a day.
● Use the automatic dishwasher for full loads only -- Dishwashers useabout 25 gallons of water each time the run through a cycle.
● Use the automatic washing machine only for full loads only -- automatic washers use about 30 to 35 gallons per cycle.
● Don't let the faucet run while cleaning vegetables -- Rinse vegetables instead in a bowl or sink full of clean water.
● Keep a bottle of drinking water in the refrigerator -- This puts a stop to the wasteful practice of running tap water to cool it for drinking.
● When washing dishes by hand, don't leave the water running for rinsing -- For two sinks, fill one with rinse water. For one sink, gather all washed dishes in a dish rack, then rinse them quickly with a spray device or a pan of water.
● Check faucets and pipes for leaks -- Leaks waste water 24 hours a day, seven days a week. An inexpensive washer usually is enough to stop them.
For more information on water conservation, please visit www.volusia.org/water.