Monday, December 24, 2007

Drought & Dry Season

Florida, and the rest of the nation for that matter, faced its worst summer drought since the Dust Bowl years of the Great Depression. As a result, Lake Okeechobee, the "Liquid Heart" of South Florida, is approximately 5ft below its historical average for this time of year. To exacerbate the challenge, we just entered Dry Season (November to April).

But I am not here to preach 'doom and gloom'! I only want to call this to your attention. The question that you must ask yourself, however, is: "What can I do to make a difference?"

The answer to that question can take on many forms. Here are a few suggestions:

1. Do a Water Use Audit.
2. Use water-efficient landscaping and irrigation with native plants.
3. Use high-efficiency clothes washers & dishwashers.
4. Use ultra-low flush (ULF) toilets.
5. Use low-flow faucets (bathroom and kitchen sinks and shower heads).

There are rebate programs available for doing the aforementioned tasks. In fact, there are FREE low-flow shower head exchanges by various government entities. "Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department (WASD) will exchange your actual shower head for a more streamlined, cost-effective "High Efficiency" shower head as well as provide you with a conservation kit for your home."

Reducing your water usage can also decrease your hot water usage, thus lowering your electric bill. But remember, it’s not just about saving money; it’s about saving resources (people, time, money, etc).

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Again some more really great tips. I particularly find the home audit helpful thanks for keeping me in the loop.