Alachua County teamed up with local governments across the state to declare April Water Conservation Month.
The event includes education opportunities, reminders to use irrigation systems properly and an initiative to get county employees to conserve water and energy, said Stacie Greco, water conservation coordinator in the Alachua County Environmental Protection Department.
“We all use water, and we all need water,” she said. “I think everybody is part of the problem, so we’re all part of the solution.”
In Florida, April combines dry weather with grass greening and flowers blooming, Greco said.
“People get really tempted to ramp up their irrigation,” she said.
Activities for Water Conservation Month began in March with radio ads reminding residents to maintain their irrigation systems.
The ad campaign, which is set to run through April 21, also promotes a rebate for properly maintained in-ground irrigation systems offered by Gainesville Regional Utilities, Greco said. The rebate covers $50 for maintenance and $25 for a rain sensor per system.
The county will also visit local schools, churches and homeowners associations.
“Basically, if anyone want to learn more about water, we’ll come talk to them,” Greco said.
Greco said UF students can help conserve water by taking shorter showers or turning off the faucet when brushing their teeth.
Nicholas Papaianni, a 23-year-old UF aerospace and mechanical engineering senior, said he feels water conservation is very important.
“Water is a finite resource,” he said. “It’s better to make do with less now than to go without later.”
