Water – “The Source and the Steward”
Water – The Alternatives
Water Conservation Involves Teamwork    

Water – “The Source and the Steward”    

Currently, the water we use in Miami-Dade County comes from the Biscayne Aquifer, a large underground freshwater source made out of porous rock. It is fed by rain and freshwater from the Everglades and Lake Okeechobee.

The extraction of water from the Aquifer marks the first phase of the essential work being done by the steward of this water - the Miami-Dade Water & Sewer Department.  With more than 2,700 employees and an operating budget of $500 million, it is not only one of the biggest departments in our County but, it is the 5th largest public utility in the US in terms of population served.

The Department provides direct service to more than 420,000 accounts, wholesale water and wastewater service to 18 municipalities, as well as to areas of unincorporated Miami-Dade County. In total this represents an estimated 2.2 million customers.

TOP  

Water – The Alternatives   

Contrary to what many believe, the water that is available to us is not limitless which is why using water efficiently is so important. Besides conserving the water that we do have, finding alternative sources is also key.

One of the alternative water sources involves treating the water that goes down the drain. It’s called water reuse and plays an important role in reducing our demands on ground water, which is used for drinking water.

Reclaimed water can be used for many purposes including:

• The irrigation of golf courses, parks, and other landscaped areas
• Urban uses such as toilet flushing and car washing
• Agricultural uses including irrigation of crops and nursery plants
• Wetlands creation, restoration, and enhancement

Besides all the uses mentioned, treated wastewater can also be disposed into our canals to help recharge them. It’s about finding innovative ways to reduce our demand for water by reusing it.

Another alternative water supply is called reverse osmosis. The idea is to use a membrane that acts like an extremely fine filter to create drinkable water from salty (or otherwise contaminated) water.

Reuse, recharge and reverse osmosis – all these technologies have the same goal – to secure our water supply and ensure the Miami-Dade Water & Sewer Department is able to keep up with the water needs of our community. Because these new systems are state of the art and implement the latest technology, they can often be costly. However, this is the direction in which the Department must go in order to be able to respond to future demands.

TOP  

Water Conservation Involves Teamwork   

As precious a resource as water is, it’s clear that using water efficiently is a necessity which is why Miami-Dade County has taken the lead and enacted ordinances that help curb the amount of water we end up wasting.

One ordinance requires the installation of ultra low-volume toilets, faucets and showerheads as part of any new construction. And, another ordinance targets landscape practices by encouraging the use of Xeriscape landscape techniques which include using drought tolerant species, grouping plants by water requirements, and restricting amount of irrigated turf areas.

Another way the County helps promote water conservation is with the help of the County-wide lawn irrigation restrictions which prohibits lawn watering during daytime hours from 9AM to 5PM.  By following the lawn irrigation restrictions you help curb water usage during the hottest part of the day which is when the majority of water is lost to evaporation. This of course helps neither your plants nor your wallet.

• Other water conservation tips that will help save you money…
• Don’t let the water run while your brush your teeth or shave
• Don’t take excessively long showers
• Install a water efficient showerhead
  (The Water & Sewer Department actually has a showerhead exchange program. Bring your old shower head in and they’ll exchange it for a new water efficient model. Call 786-552-8955 for more information)
• Reduce the amount of water used while washing dishes by turning if off when not rinsing.
• Only run your dishwasher and washing machine when full. Half loads waste water.
• Fix any leaks around your house.
• Don’t over water your lawn

Remember that every effort, no matter how small can make a world of a difference. It’s simply a matter of understanding what a precious resource water is and doing whatever you can to help preserve it…

TOP