Think of the future...save water today!
Water is our most precious resource, without it life as we know it would not exist. Although it may seem apparent that water is an unlimited resource, unfortunately it is not. Growing populations, increased demands for water, less surface area for recharge, and increased pollution all contribute to the fact that we need to conserve this crucial resource. Using water conservation practices is the simplest and least expensive way to ensure that our water resource will be available for current and future needs. If everyone develops habits to save a little water now, we will all save a lot of water for the future.
Why should I conserve water?
Many of us take for granted how important of a resource water is to us. It is a resource that is sometimes over looked because we are able to simply turn on the faucet, flush the toilet, and set a timer for landscape irrigation. We often don’t think of where the water is coming from or if there is enough to last in the future. Florida’s population is growing rapidly and an increasing demand is being put on our freshwater supply. Much of the increase in water use is attributed to outdoor landscape irrigation. Using water conservation practices is the simplest and least expensive way to ensure that our water resource is protected.
The City of Apopka’s source of drinking water is the Floridan Aquifer, one of the most productive aquifers in the world. It is fed by rainwater that filters through hundreds of feet of sand and rock. Apopka typically receives about 50 - 60 inches of rain annually, only a small portion of this water filters through the ground to replenish the aquifer. The increased demand has accounted for more water being drawn out of the aquifer than what nature is able to put back into the system. Also, as more natural lands are being developed, the less pervious surfaces are left to allow natural rainfall to percolate into the ground. Using too much groundwater can result in drying out wetlands, lowering lake levels, reducing spring flows, increased sink hole formation, and impairing water quality. Learning to use water wisely today will slow the impacts that are being put on our freshwater supply and ensure that this precious resource will be available now and in the future.
(Courtesy of the St. Johns River Water Management District)