To the residents of Florida, summer does bring change, but not necessarily kind of climate change that people in the northern parts of the country experience.
For someone up in New York or Ohio, summer is a big adjustment, with longer days, hotter temperatures, and the retreat of cold, inhospitable weather. Of course, in Florida, it’s warm and sunny for the majority of the year, so summer’s arrival isn’t so dramatic.
There are, however, some other changes. With July and August, kids are out of school and spending time at home. It can also mean that the rain comes less frequently, and if you have plants at home, like an extensive lawn, or garden, that lack of rain means you have to use the water from your home to keep your vegetation healthy. But there are ways you can control just how much extra water you end up paying for, and we’ve got some tips for a lower water bill.
KEEP THE SWIMMING POOL COVERED
A lot of people in Florida just decide not to cover their pool at all, if they’re fortunate enough to have one in the backyard. It’s easy to understand this line of reasoning; it’s always nice in Florida, and if the pool is uncovered, hopping in when the mood takes you is a lot easier to do.
But covering your pool when not in use saves you both water and maintenance. A covered pool does not evaporate as much water into the air. More importantly, a covered pool doesn’t get as dirty, since leaves no longer fall in, and contaminants like bird droppings don’t keep your chemicals and filters busy.
SCHEDULE YOUR PLANT WATERING STRATEGICALLY
If you want to keep your lawn green and your plants healthy, you’ll need to either break out a hose, attach a sprinkler, or turn on your sprinkler network while your kids run through it in the yard. However, the time you choose to do this has a huge impact on water efficiency.
If you water your plants in the middle of the day, the heat of the sun often makes that water evaporate much faster, before your plants can make full use of it. However, if you schedule your plants to be watered in the morning or evening, cooler temperatures mean you can use less water, or water less frequently, as the water remains accessible to plants for a much longer period of time.
BUILD A WATER WALL FOR THE LITTLE ONES
If you’re looking for a unique, water-based activity outside that doesn’t use a lot of water, a “water wall” is a unique project. Just take funnels, pipes, and other containers that allow water flow, and attach them to a board, or other structure that can stand vertically. Then put a container of water at the bottom.
The kids can now take plastic cups or glasses, and use them to pour water through the pipes and containers back down to the bottom. It’s a stimulating learning experience for children that can keep them occupied for a long time without needing constant, running water.