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Why is My Water Usage So High?

The two most common reasons for high water consumption are leaks and irrigation, in fact approximately 50% of the water used by a household is used outside (check out the rebates and incentives page for irrigation help). Once water passes through the water meter, the homeowner becomes responsible for the water usage. The City has no way of knowing specifically how that water was consumed, whether in your home or outside in your yard. Other potential sources of high consumption include: pressure washer cleaning, filling a pool, washing vehicles, laundry loads, long showers, new sod or plants. Check out the "Conservation Tips" section for ways to save water. 

 


Congratulations City of Lakeland Water Utilities!

At the 2023 Florida Section American Water Works Association Fall Conference, the City of Lakeland received a first-place Best in Class for the Water Conservation Award of Excellence. In fiscal year 2023, the City saved approximately 110,649 gallons per day through active conservation implementations!


 

  • Why is saving water important for Lakeland?

    Water Conservation

    Water conservation is necessary for Lakeland to meet its future water needs. Water conservation may only come to mind during a drought, but using water efficiently year-round, even during wet times, means there will be more water available during those dry spells.

    Water Conservation Benefits:

    • More can share a limited water supply
    • Far less expensive than treating lake or sea water (keeps water rates down)
    • Saves money for anyone who puts it into practice

    What about the lake water?

    We have abundant water in the lakes here in Lakeland, but our lake water supports important ecological resources and natural beauty that we don’t want to impact or lose. The amount of lake water available is unreliable since it depends on the climate. 

    Lake water is also much more expensive to treat than groundwater because of its vulnerability to pollution and evaporation.


    Water Shortages

    Lakeland gets its water from the Upper Floridan Aquifer, which is a body of very clean water deep underground. This groundwater is replaced by the rain at a very slow rate. Projections show that at the current rate of use, the aquifer will not meet our water needs through 2035, so it is very important that we do as much as possible to cut back on the water that we use. Because of this water shortage, the Southwest Florida Water Management District created year-round lawn watering restrictions of only two days per week (see 'Ways You Can Help Our Water Supply' for details). These restrictions are designed to help make our water supply last.

    Over-pumping the aquifer can lead to:

    • Declining water availability for general health and fire protection
    • Saltwater contaminating the freshwater aquifer
    • Sinkholes

    Ways You Can Help Conserve Our Water Supply

    • Please observe the mandatory year-round watering schedule:
      • Even Addresses: Thursday and Sunday only - Before 10am or after 4pm (but not both)
      • Odd Addresses: Wednesdays and  Saturdays only - Before 10am or after 4pm (but not both)
    • Water in the morning or evening to minimize evaporation and disease
    • Remember disease and yellowing occur when applying too much water to grass
    • Check irrigation times and rain sensors every 6 months
    • Replace grass with drought-resistant ground cover, shrubs, and trees- these plants require little to no watering or maintenance (See Florida Friendly Landscaping)
    • Hand water grass and plants only when needed, instead of using an irrigation system
    • Replace toilets manufactured before 1994- New toilet models use significantly less water (Check out the current rebate program for up to a $100 rebate)
    • Check for leaks under the sink or other water-flow areas
  • Conserve water & potentially save money!

    The City of Lakeland, along with other member governments within the Polk Regional Water Cooperative (PRWC) area, has partnered with the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) to offer customers several water saving programs and rebates. We know how important of a role the groundwater supply plays in our everyday lives and understand that it is not an unlimited resource. By helping our customers save water, we can potentially reduce our impacts on the regional water supply as well as protect Lakeland's beautiful ecosystems we all love. Please check out the Rebates and Incentives tab for more information on these programs. 

The WISE program is a funding incentive through the Southwest Florida Water Management District. For further information about this program click the WISE graphic below.


Click the Water Footprint Calculator logo below to find out what your water footprint is!


 

Important Reminders:


 

DID YOU KNOW- On average, 50% of the water used by residential households is used outside, specifically through irrigation.  

 

The District’s year-round water conservation measures are in effect except where stricter measures have been imposed by local governments. See watermatters.org for more info.

Below you'll find the City of Lakeland's Year-Round irrigation schedule along with tips on how to program an irrigation timer.

 


Always Call Before You Dig

Call 811 from anywhere in Florida two full business days before digging, and your call will be routed to us.  Tell the operator where you're planning to dig, what type of work you will be doing and your affected local utility companies will be notified about your intent to dig.  In a couple days, they'll send a locator to  mark the approximate location of underground lines, pipes and cables in your yard, so you'll know what's below - and be able to dig safely.

Click Here for more Information from Sunshine811.