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City Takes Conservation Message To The Street

Carl Orth/SUNCOAST

sign flashes a message about conserving water during the drought to drivers along Grand Boulevard in New Port Richey.

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By Carl  Orth | The Suncoast News

Published: January 9, 2009

Updated:

NEW PORT RICHEY - Have you seen the light?

A portable, LED sign has been flashing a message to local drivers, "Drought Conditions, Please Conserve Water."

New Port Richey officials wanted to do their part toward conservation during a drought that has lasted more than three years, said Sherman Applegate, city public works director.

The sign had been parked in the median of U.S. 19 north of Main Street for more than a week, Applegate confirmed, before the sign was moved to Grand Boulevard in the downtown area several days ago.

Southwest Florida Water Management District had sounded the alarm in recent months over perilously low water supplies and scant rainfall, Applegate recalled.

That inspired city officials to spread the word to motorists. So the Public Works Department borrowed the portable sign whenever the Police Department isn't using it.

The city also gives out free water conservation kits, Applegate said. The kit contains low-flow shower heads and aerators for sink faucets.

New Port Richey utility customers can pick up the devices at the billings and collections office in City Hall at 5919 Main St.

In the meantime, an emergency order from Brooksville-based SWFWMD remains in effect for Pasco County through June.

SWFWMD officials are also encouraging residents who irrigate lawns to "skip a week" during the cooler months of January and February, spokeswoman Robyn Felix reports.

According to research by University of Florida scientists, grass doesn't need to be watered as often during the cooler months. In fact, three-quarters of an inch of water every 10 - 14 days is sufficient, they say.

Watering grass too much actually is counterproductive, experts say, creating conditions suitable for diseases and pests.

"The cooler months are a good time to train lawns to need less water," Sylvia Durell, Florida-friendly landscaping project manager, said in a press release. "Using less water will encourage deeper grass and plant roots, which makes them more drought-tolerant."

Heading into Florida's dry season during winter months, all 16 counties within the District are under one-day-per-week lawn watering restrictions through Feb. 27, Felix emphasizes.

In addition, tightened restrictions are currently in affect for all of Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties through June 30.

For more information on water conservation, drought conditions and water restrictions, go online to http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/drought/.

Carl Orth can be reached at 727-815-1068 or corth@suncoastnews.com.

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