Water Conservation Information

Request High-Efficiency Washing Machine Rebate

Request Weather-Based Irrigation Controller Rebate

Request High-Efficiency Toilet Retrofit Rebate

• Tip 1:
  When washing dishes by hand, fill one sink or basin with soapy water.
  Quickly rinse under a slow-moving stream from the faucet.
• Tip 2:
  Run your washing machine and dishwasher only when they are full
  and you could save 1000 gallons of water a month.
• Tip 3:
  Consider composting instead of running the garbage disposal.
• Tip 4:
  Keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator instead of running the tap for cold water so every drop goes in you and not in the drain.
• Tip 5:
  Wash your produce in the sink or a pan that is partially filled with water instead of running water from the tap.
• Tip 6:
  Consider replacing your old washing machine with an EPA Water Sense and Energy Star listed high efficiency model.
  Visit the rebates tab on this page for details on a rebate.
• Tip 7:
  If your shower can fill a one gallon bucket in 20 seconds, consider replacing it with a water-efficient shower head.
• Tip 8:
  Keep your shower to 5 minutes or less and you’ll save 1000 gallons of water per month.
• Tip 9:
  Plug the bathtub before turning the water on; then adjust the temperature as the tub fills up.
• Tip 10:
  Grab a wrench and fix that leaky faucet, it’s simple, inexpensive and can save 140 gallons of water a week.
• Tip 11:
  Turn the water off while you brush your teeth and save 4 gallons of water a minute. That’s 200 gallons of water a week for a family of four.
• Tip 12:
  Consider installing an instant water heater on your kitchen sink so you don’t have to let the water run while it heats up.
• Tip 13:
  Don’t use running water to thaw food.
• Tip 14:
  Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your driveway or sidewalk and save 80 gallons of water every time.
• Tip 15:
  Install a high efficiency toilet and get a rebate, visit the rebates tab on this page for more information.
• Tip 16:
  Listen for toilet leaks or toilets that flush themselves. You can save 500 gallons of water a month by making simple repairs.
• Tip 17:
  Check your sprinkler system frequently and adjust sprinklers so only your lawn is watered and no the house, sidewalk or street. Contact the City of Winter Park for “Free Irrigation Help”.
• Tip 18:
  Adjust your lawn mower to a higher setting. Longer grass shades root systems and holds soil moisture better than a closely clipped lawn.
• Tip 19:
  Install a rain sensor or a shut off device on your automatic irrigation system to eliminate unnecessary watering.
• Tip 20:
  Avoid watering on windy days.
• Tip 21:
  Consider a drip irrigation system which allows water to penetrate deeper into the soil.
• Tip 22:
  Group plants with the same watering needs together to get the most out of your watering time.
• Tip 23:
  Remember to check your irrigation controller after a power outage for the correct time and day. Readjust the time for Daylight savings time and Eastern Standard time.
• Tip 24:
  Use a hose nozzle and turn the water off while you wash your car and save more than 100 gallons of water.
• Tip 25:
  Consider installing a rain barrel to capture rain water to use for plants and garden plants.
• Tip 26:
  Direct your downspouts and other runoff towards shrubs and trees, or collect to use for other plants.
• Tip 27:
  Use porous materials for walkways and patios to keep water in your yard and prevent wasteful runoff.
• Tip 28:
  Water your lawn only when needed and no more than one hour per zone per irrigation cycle.
• Tip 29:
  Avoid installing ornamental water features and fountains that spray water into the air. Trickling or cascading fountains lose less water to evaporation.
• Tip 30:
  Use a layer of organic mulch around plants to reduce evaporation and save hundreds of gallons of water a year.
• Tip 31:
  When applying fertilizer on your lawn, make sure to water it in to reduce run off and waste.
• Tip 32:
  Support projects that use reclaimed wastewater for irrigation and other uses.
• Tip 33:
  Landscape with Xeriscape plants and ground covers.
• Tip 34:
  Delay regular lawn watering during the early weeks of spring to encourage deeper rooting of your grass. This will make for a healthier lawn the remainder of the summer.
• Tip 35:
  Consider installing a smart irrigation controller which is linked to a local weather station. This will adjust your irrigation according to current weather conditions.
• Tip 36:
  Remember to follow the irrigation schedule and do not irrigate between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Tip 37:
  Remember to check your irrigation system valves periodically for leaks and keep the heads in good shape and adjusted properly.
• Tip 38:
  Calibrate your irrigation system for proper coverage by using 5 or 6 flat bottomed cans a zone to test and irrigate for 30 minutes, then measure the amount of water to determine how long you need to apply 3/4 inches of water.
• Tip 39:
  Check faucets for leaks and remember to check the outside hose bibs for leaks.
• Tip 40:
  Designate one glass for your drinking water each day. This will cut down on the number of times you run your dishwasher.
• Tip 41:
  Soak your pots and pans instead of letting water run while you scrape them clean.
• Tip 42:
  Make sure there are low flow aerators on all of your faucets.
• Tip 43:
  Turn off the water while you shave and you can save more than 100 gallons of water a week.
• Tip 44:
  Bathe your pets outside on the lawn in an area in need of water.
• Tip 45:
  Collect the water you use for rinsing produce and reuse it to water house plants.
• Tip 46:
  To check if you have a leak in your toilet, put food coloring in the tank, wait 30 minutes, if the food coloring seeps into the bowl, you have a leak. Make sure to flush immediately after the test to avoid staining.
• Tip 47:
  If your toilet was install prior to 1980, place a toilet dam or bottle filled with water in your toilet tank to reduce the amount of water used for each flush. Make sure the device does not interfere with the operating parts.
• Tip 48:
  Periodically check your swimming pool for leaks. You should not lose more than ¼ inches per day.
• Tip 49:
  Do one thing each day to help conserve water.
• Tip 50:
  Make sure your swimming pool, fountain and ponds are equipped with recirculating pumps.
• Tip 51:
  Refrain from pouring water down the drain when there may be another use for it, such as water a plant, cleaning or water in the garden.
• Tip 52:
  Check your water bill and track your water savings.