Save water and money — watch the weather, wait to water this summer

Summer afternoon showers and tropical rainfall mean that Mother Nature may be able to handle much of your lawn sprinkling over the next few months, saving water and money. That’s why the St. Johns River Water Management District’s summertime water conservation message is “Watch the weather. Wait to water.”

Florida’s rainy season extends from May through October, typically accounting for up to 70% of our annual rainfall totals. The period from June to September includes the wettest months, with most rainfall monitoring stations in the District typically receiving 5 to 7 inches of rain during each of these months, compared to 2 to 3.5 inches in the winter and spring.

It is important to note that in most years, there is a slight difference between inland stations — for instance, Orlando and Gainesville — where the wettest month occurs early in the season, in either June or July. At coastal stations, such as Daytona Beach and Vero Beach, the wettest month usually comes later in September or October, when the impact of heavy rains from tropical activity is more frequent.

Since these are average patterns, it is best to pay attention to your local conditions — watch the weather, wait to water.

Here are some tips for taking advantage of Florida’s summer rains:

• Check your forecast to see if rain is on the way. A weather app is an easy and convenient way to stay up to date.
• Use a rain gauge to determine how much rain your yard has gotten. During June through September, yards need no more than ½ to ¾ inch of water every two to three days.
• If you use an irrigation system, know your watering days. District watering restrictions allow enough water to maintain healthy landscapes year-round. The mandatory restrictions specify the hours when watering may occur, the amount of water that may be applied, and the days when watering may occur for residential and nonresidential locations. Visit www.sjrwmd.com/wateringrestrictions to learn your days.
• You can use the “catch can” method to determine how much water to apply to your landscape and to see if you are watering uniformly. Watch a video here.
• Make sure your gutter downspouts are directed into landscaped areas or lawns. Consider installing a rain barrel to capture excess rainwater.
• Decrease watering time during cool or humid conditions and skip a scheduled watering after moderate rainfall.
• Check to see if your rain sensor is working and if the controller is not in bypass mode — that way. Your system won’t run if there has been recent rain. Many people aren’t aware that rain sensors are required on all automatic irrigation systems.

For more information, visit the Water Less campaign online at www.WaterLessFlorida.com. Join the conversation at #WaterLessFlorida #waterconservation #sjrwmd

About the St. Johns River Water Management District

St. Johns River Water Management District staff are committed to ensuring the sustainable use and protection of water resources for the benefit of the people of the District and the state of Florida. The St. Johns River Water Management District is one of five districts in Florida managing groundwater and surface water supplies in the state. The District encompasses all or part of 18 northeast and east-central Florida counties. District headquarters are in Palatka, and staff also are available to serve the public at service centers in Apopka, Jacksonville, and Palm Bay.

For more information about the District, please visit www.sjrwmd.com.