Tuesday, May 22, 2012

FLORIDA CELEBRATES WATER REUSE WEEK MAY 20-26 – Roll out the (Rain) Barrel! Next workshop.

I bet most of you did not know that this is Florida Water Reuse Week (May 20-26, 2012), designed to bring awareness of the importance of water reuse to meeting Florida's future water supply needs. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) urges Florida's residents and businesses to celebrate Water Reuse Week to learn more about how easy it is to reuse water on a daily basis.

The DEP states that Florida leads the nation in water reuse, reusing more than 660 million gallons of reclaimed water each day to conserve freshwater supplies and replenish rivers, streams, lakes and the aquifers.

Where is your rain barrel?

The recent rains demonstrate that the problem is not the yearly average rainfall, but what you are doing to protect and reuse that rainwater.

Barbara McAdam, Program Assistant, University of Florida/IFAS/Florida Yards & Neighborhoods Program, has provided information on the next local rain barrel workshop.  Miami-Dade Cooperative Extension does not sell rain barrels. Rain barrels are made available only to individuals who attend educational workshops. You may also complete the online presentation and answer 2 simple questions and schedule a time to pick up a rain barrel at our Extension Office. 

The next workshop in the South Dade area will be held

Saturday, June 16, 2012, at the Fruit & Spice Park, 24801 S.W. 187th Ave., Homestead, FL 33031, 10A.M. - 12P.M. CLICK HERE for Registration form. CLICK HERE to view information on the next rain barrel workshop in your area. 

During Water Reuse Week and throughout the year, DEP also encourages residents to undertake water reuse and conservation practices to help to ensure safe, clean, and sustainable water resources:
-Collect rain water in buckets during storms which can be reused for irrigating yards, cleaning driveways and toilet flushing.
-Before emptying a pet’s drinking bowl, use the unfinished or old water to water plants.
-Plant a rain garden that will capture excess stormwater runoff, limit topsoil erosion, reduce flooding, and enhance yard beauty.
-Take excess water from a bath or from washing dishes and put into the toilet for flushing.
-Wash fruits and vegetables in a pan, not under a running faucet, and reuse that water for gardening.
-Use a commercial car wash that recycles water.
For more water reuse tips, such as how to plant a rain garden or build a rain barrel please visit http://www.protectingourwater.org/.

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