Here are a few ways that you can reduce your impact.
At Home
There's a lot you can do at home to conserve groundwater.
Tips for reducing water consumption at home:
Switch to energy-efficient appliances that use water more efficiently.
Turn off the water when you brush your teeth, hand wash dishes, and are soaping up in the shower. You can save gallons of water by turning off the faucet when you're not actively using it!
Re-use water! Catch water in your sinks and showers and use it later for flushing your toilet or watering plants.
Take shorter showers. Showering uses about 2 gallons of water per minute. If you shorten your shower by even 2 minutes, you're saving 4 gallons of water each time you shower!
Limit your garbage disposal use. Putting scraps in the trash or composting them are great alternatives.
Only wash full loads in your washing machine and dishwasher.
Residential yards can add up to have a big impact on the aquifer.
Tips for a Florida Spring Friendly Yard:
1.
Don’t use fertilizer
2.
Plant native or drought tolerant plants
3.
Only water when you’re establishing a plant
4.
Use a rain barrel for additional watering
1.
Don’t use fertilizer
1.
Don’t use fertilizer
2.
Plant native or drought tolerant plants
3.
Only water when you’re establishing a plant
4.
Use a rain barrel for additional watering
The Florida Springs Institute is developing a comprehensive Springs Friendly yard program, so keep an eye out for announcements!
In Your Community
There are many opportunities for becoming a springs advocate in your area.
Ways to become active in your community:
1.
Become a member of a springs-focused conservation group
2.
Attend meetings of organizations like water management districts and county commissions
3.
Join an environmental advisory board at the local or state level
4.
Contact your local officials
Interested in hands-on volunteer work?
These programs are a great way to get out in nature, help the springs, and learn more about Florida's water resources.
Many of the largest impacts to the aquifer come from industry and agriculture. An important way to make your voice heard on these issues is to be an informed, active voter.
Organizations with helpful information for voters include:
"The Florida Springs Council is the only statewide advocacy group dedicated solely to the restoration, preservation and protection of Florida’s springs.
Our singular focus means that we will never compromise on springs protection because of competing priorities."
Ryan Smart
Florida Springs Council
STAY UPDATED!
Over the next few months, we'll be adding more region-specific information about ways to reduce your impact on the aquifer. To be alerted when we update this page, join our update list!