15,000 Gallons: The Annual Savings From One Smart Controller
Southwest Florida residents are advised to check for leaks and adjust irrigation settings before holiday travel.
By Sarah Montgomery ·
A WaterSense-labeled smart irrigation controller can save an average home up to 15,000 gallons of water per year. That figure is the top of the savings potential cited by the Southwest Florida Water Management District. The district remains under a Modified Phase III Water Shortage as residents prepare for the holiday season.
The district has been in this shortage phase for several years. Water use restrictions have become a standard part of life in the region. Katherine Squitieri, the lead conservation education coordinator for the district, released new guidance on November 3. She outlined specific steps for households to reduce consumption during the peak holiday period.
The advice covers cooking, cleaning, and travel preparations. For meal preparation, Squitieri recommends defrosting frozen foods in a refrigerator or microwave. This avoids running hot water, which can consume approximately two gallons per minute. She also suggests rinsing produce in a filled sink rather than under a running tap. The water from the sink can then be reused for houseplants.
When washing dishes by hand, the guidance specifies filling one basin with soapy water and another one-third to one-half full for rinsing. Homeowners should avoid letting water run continuously in the rinsing basin. For automatic dishwashers, running the machine only with a full load is essential. A standard dishwasher uses five gallons or more per cycle.
Cooking methods also affect water usage. Using pans that match the amount of food being prepared reduces the need for excess boiling water. Food scraps should be scraped into a garbage can or compost bin. Rinsing scraps down a garbage disposal uses about two gallons of water per minute.
Before traveling for the holidays, homeowners should inspect their properties for indoor and outdoor leaks. If a home has a permanent in-ground irrigation system, the controller should be set to follow local restrictions. Alternatively, the system should be turned off if the landscape does not require extra water. Upgrading to a smart controller allows the system to adjust automatically to the lawn needs while the owners are away.
The district encourages residents to look for WaterSense or ENERGY STAR labels on holiday gifts. These products can help friends and family lower utility bills. More detailed information is available at WaterMatters.org/Water101.
