CONTACT INFORMATION:
14 South Fort Harrison Avenue
Clearwater, Fl 33756
Customer Service (727) 464-4000
E-mail: custsrv@pinellascounty.org

October 27, 2006

Per capita water usage in Pinellas County has reached a new low of 89 gallons per person, per day for fiscal year 2005-2006. From a high of 153 gallons per person daily during 1989-1990, the rate has steadily declined as a result of education and outreach encouraging customers to implement water saving measures in and around the home.

Education targeting potable water use has played a major role in reducing the consumption of water in Pinellas County over the past sixteen years. Programs such as the Alternate Water Sources Rebate and the Ultra Low Flow Toilet Rebate, in conjunction with various public awareness campaigns have been key contributors. From brochures on maintaining a healthy lawn to the use of reclaimed water for irrigation where available, conservation minded businesses and residents have proven that a difference can be made.

Businesses in the county have also played a significant role in water conservation. The water C.H.A.M.P., Conservation Hotel and Motel Program, emphasizes the importance of water conservation in the lodging industry and provides practical water saving tips. The program conducts water audits, distributes education materials for owners, managers, and visitors to hotels and motels in the Pinellas Anclote Basin, and recognizes participants for their water savings.

Utilities has introduced customers countywide to the world of water-saving devices with free indoor plumbing retrofit kits. Since the inception of the award-winning program in the 1990’s, over 300,000 kits have been distributed. Pinellas County is a national leader in water conservation thanks to citizens who are environmentally aware and receptive to reducing water use. According to the American Water Works Association and 2005 data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the reduction of per capita use to 89 gallons per day (gpd) is significantly lower than the national average of 134 gpd.

Reaching out to the children of our community with age-appropriate materials that are both fun and stimulating is an important way to ensure continued successes in water savings. Through activity and coloring books and customized lesson plans for teachers, Utilities hopes to lay a solid foundation for the future leaders and consumers of Pinellas County. Each year, Utilities sponsors the Drop Savers Water Conservation T-Shirt design contest for the County’s students in grades K-12.

Pinellas County Utilities participates in numerous national, state, and local events where employees are available to explain the goals of Utilities’ programs, and to pass on the message of conservation and recycling. According to Utilities Director Pick Talley, “Due to successful conservation efforts, water usage per person has declined more than 40 percent over the past decade and a half. The reductions in per capita use speak for the success of our programs and may be a national record for community water savings.”

Per Capita Water Usage

Source: www.pinellascounty.org/utilities

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