JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Residents in portions of North Florida, including Duval County, are being asked to conserve water after the St. Johns River Water Management District issued a Phase II water-shortage declaration.
The order cites continued dry conditions, below-average rainfall and declining groundwater levels.
Some community members talked about what conservation means to them.
“It’s just being mindful about how much water we’re using,” Conan Hayton said. “I know we kind of talked about, you know, the reservoirs are getting kind of low so not only saving money on water but also thinking about the community.”
Under the Phase II declaration, customers of the local utility are limited to watering lawns one day per week. The restriction applies to potable, reuse and reclaimed-water customers alike.
JEA offered these tips for outdoor and indoor conservation:
Outdoor conservation
Water only on your designated day and only when necessary.
Install a WaterSense-labeled smart irrigation controller.
Ensure rain and moisture sensors are working properly.
Inspect and repair sprinkler heads; one broken head can waste up to 25,000 gallons in six months.
Aim sprinklers at landscaping — not sidewalks or driveways.
Choose Florida-friendly, drought-tolerant landscaping.
Use a shutoff nozzle when watering by hose.
Indoor conservation
Use cold water, run full loads of laundry, and select the small load setting when appropriate.
Only run the dishwasher when full and use the air-dry option.
Fix running toilets — the leading cause of high-water use.
Repair leaky faucets promptly.
Install high-efficiency showerheads and faucet aerators.
Turn off water while brushing teeth or shaving.
Take shorter showers instead of baths.
Residents can request a free water-conservation kit that typically includes high-efficiency showerheads and faucet aerators by contacting the program administrator by email or phone. To request a kit, email jeawaterkit@franklinenergy.com or call (888) 893-8218.
The utility also offers free irrigation assessments where specialists evaluate residential systems, identify leaks or misaligned sprinkler heads and recommend ways to improve efficiency and reduce outdoor water use.
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