Outdoor watering typically accounts for half the total water use throughout the state of Florida. And of all that water used to irrigate lawns and landscaping outside, half of it winds up evaporating or dribbling away.

That much lawn watering is unnecessary, particularly during the rainy season we're experiencing this year. Miami-Dade County has experienced near-daily deluges, so more often than not lawn watering isn't needed even on the days when residential water restrictions don't apply.

Still, Smart Irrigation Month is a great time to schedule maintenance on your home and commercial irrigation systems, assess your watering habits and evaluate potential technology upgrades. Miami-Dade County offers landscape evaluations to homeowners, as well as condo and homeowner associations, and provides free soil moisture sensors that help control outdoor water use.

As part of Miami-Dade County's Water Use Efficiency Plan, steps are being taken to reduce water consumption. New landscape irrigation regulations that affect new construction must now follow Florida Friendly Principles and abide by stricter water-efficiency guidelines for all private property and public rights-of-way.

Now's a great time to save...rainwater! Miami-Dade County hosts workshops that teach residents how to build a rain barrel to capture rainwater and save it for later use to water yards and landscaping. The next workshop is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 17 from 10 a.m. to noon. The cost is $45 for the rain barrel and materials, and $10 for the workshop only. Sign up by Oct. 14!

A Florida-Friendly yard is one that incorporates nine principles, including watering efficiently, attracting wildlife and fertilizing appropriately. Think your yard has what it takes? One Homestead resident had her yard certified to create a Yard of the Future.