Photo © David R. Schrichte

By Dr. Katie Tripp,
Director of Science & Conservation,
and Artie Wong, Staff Biologist

If we are to protect manatees, we must start by protecting their habitat: the waters in which they swim and the vegetation on which they feed. Currently, this habitat is threatened by Florida’s water use. Manatee habitat consists of the very lakes, rivers, and coastal areas from which Florida’s growing population is withdrawing an ever-increasing volume of water. As a result, the future of the Florida manatee is inextricably linked to our own, through our mutual reliance on water. Neither species can survive without this resource, which is a truth that will become even more evident in the years to come.

Considering that 1.1 billion people worldwide do not have access to clean drinking water, we must not only feel grateful for the water we have, but also responsible for the wise use of this resource. No matter where you live, you can make a difference by implementing simple changes in your daily life. Each change will help protect our water supply and our aquatic habitats. Here are some suggestions and web resources for conserving water both inside and outside your home:

Immediate changes in your home:

• Turn off the faucet. Approximately 8 gallons of water can be saved daily by shutting off the water when brushing your teeth twice a day.



• Use the dishwasher. Washing a full load of dishes by hand uses approximately 20 gallons of water. A typical dishwasher uses approximately 6 gallons of water and a high efficiency dishwasher uses approximately 4 gallons of water.



• Take a low flow shower. A low flow shower head will cut your water use to between 1/3 and 1/5 of what is required for a bath.

Long term changes in your home:

• Fix leaky faucets. A faucet dripping 1 drop per second will waste more than 8 gallons of water daily and 3,154 gallons yearly.



• Replace old toilets. Toilets built before 1980 can use 5 to 7 gallons per flush, becoming the highest daily household water consumer. Toilets built since 1992 have smaller tanks and use less than 2 gallons of water.



• Use a high efficiency (HE) washer. The washing machine is the second highest consumer of water in the house. HE washers use approximately 40% less water than a traditional washer, and could save an estimated $820 in water charges over the expected 14 year lifetime of your washer.

• Reduce pollution. Fertilizers and pesticides washing into storm drains can wreak havoc on nearby rivers or coastal waters. Use non-toxic pesticides. Many pesticides can be made using household items such as vegetable oils, chili peppers, garlic, and dish soap. If you live near a body of water, keep a 10 to 30 foot buffer zone free of fertilizers and pesticides to reduce runoff.



• Reduce outdoor water use. For the traditional lawn, watering 1/2”-3/4” early in the morning, and only when needed, is a good rule of thumb. Rainwater collected in barrels can also be used to water plants and shrubs.

Long-term changes in your yard:

• Install a drip irrigation system. Drip irrigation has 90% efficiency by providing water directly to the roots of plants. Micro-irrigation sprinkler systems are 75-80% efficient, and good for plants that need more humidity.



• Install a soil sensor. A soil sensor hooked up to your sprinkler system can detect if the soil is dry and will activate the sprinklers. Water savings of 69% to 92% can be achieved with these sensors.



• Invest in an automatic irrigation system. A University of Florida study showed that properly calibrated automatic irrigation systems reduced water consumption by 30%, saving 13,000 gallons of water.
  


• Xeriscape™ your yard. Xeriscaping generally uses native plants that require no additional watering due to their adaptation to the local environment. Using native plants will reduce your water bill, attract native wildlife, and reduce the need for yard maintenance.

Get More Info!

For more information regarding household water saving tips, visit:

H2O House: www.h2ouse.org/index.cfm
Energy Star: www.energystar.gov
Consumer Energy Center: www.consumerenergycenter.org
Water Footprint: www.waterfootprint.org

For information about recycling old appliances:

http://housewares.about.com/od/majorappliances/a/appliancedonate.htm

For information on efficient watering practices, visit The University of Florida:

http://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/water
http://news.ufl.edu/2007/11/13/saving-water

For information on Xeriscaping, visit the South Florida Water Management District online at:

www.stormwater.ucf.edu/toolkit/vol1/Contents/pdfs/
Lawn%20and%20Garden/Xeriscape-SevenSteps.pdf (pdf)

Save Three Sisters Springs! Three Sisters Springs, located near Crystal River, Florida, constitute one of the most important natural warm-water refuges for endangered manatees. Donations are currently being accepted to match state grants in order to purchase the Three Sisters property and save it from development. Please help save these oases of clear and pristine water for future generations! Get More Info >>

Kayakers travel through the entrance to Three Sisters Springs. (Photo courtesy Matt Clemons.)