Conserving Water Becomes An Even More Pressing Need (Polk County)

Published Friday, October 28, 2005

By MICHAEL W. FREEMAN
The Reporter Editor

POINCIANA -- At a time when even President Bush is urging Americans to conserve energy and consider driving less, the issue of conservation of natural resources may be more prominent today than at any time in decades.

In Polk County, though, conservation has been an issue for years, although the focus hasn't been on rising gasoline prices, or natural gas or oil costs.

The issue has been water conservation, which became a serious problem for Polk County commissioners three years ago when rapid development in Northeast Polk led to overpumping in the Four Corners area.

Polk County commissioners responded by instituting a series of conservation measures, but they're not alone in urging residents to conserve as much water as possible. The Florida Governmental Utilities Association has begun doing the same thing.

Dieudonne Thomas, the community service representative for the FGUA, recently made a presentation before a local business group, the Poinciana Area Council. The council held its monthly luncheon meeting at Solivita.

Thomas said her goal wasn't to offer quick answers on specific water bills, but to educate residents on what they could do to keep water usage down -- and, by extension, lower their own bills.

"One of the main goals of the FGUA is to stress water conservation, including use of reclaimed water," she said, adding that using reclaimed water for landscaping can be very cost effective.

"The Solivita golf course uses 100 percent reclaimed water," Thomas said.

FGUA operates four utility services in Florida, including one main system in Poinciana. Another part of their mission, Thomas said, is "protecting our natural resources and educating residents."

Conserving water in the home isn't all that difficult, she said. While most new homes have water-efficient plumbing fixtures and toilets, refitting these fixtures in older homes can also decrease a utility bill by reducing the amount of water people use each day.

Besides changing plumbing hardware, other tips are:


Fixing leaky faucets because one slow drip can waste 15 to 20 gallons of water a day.


Fixing leaky toilets, which can save more than 30,000 gallons a year with each repair.


Planning lawn and garden watering around local watering regulations, which can reduce water consumption by up to 50 percent.


Choosing native plants naturally adapted to the Florida environment for gardens because these plants can have their water needs provided by natural rainfall patterns.


Limiting garden hose use by considering a "drip irrigation" system or "micro-sprinkler" for shrubs and flower beds that need watering;


Limiting shower time to five minutes.


Washing dishes and laundry only in full loads.

Conservation measures, Thomas said, can help people realize a savings over time on their utility bills.

"We're here to let you know how practicing good habits can help preserve one of our most natural resources," she said.

FGUA can be reached by calling 877-552-3482.

In 2002, the Southwest Florida Water Management District threatened to impose a fine of more than $500,000 if Polk didn't reduce water consumption in fast-growing Four Corners.

The fine was waived in October 2003 after Polk commissioners instituted a series of water conservation measures.

Michael Freeman is the editor of The Reporter. He can be reached at michael.freeman@the ledger.com or 863-421-5577