There are no “tricks,” Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department offers year-round “treats” with free landscape irrigation evaluations
New Permanent Costume – Staff from the University of Florida Miami-Dade Cooperative Extension Office's Urban Conservation Unit drive this newly decorated truck when they conduct free landscape irrigation evaluations for homeowners, businesses and homeowner associations.
(MIAMI, October 30, 2014) We know that South Floridians love their “boo-tiful” lush, green yards, but outdoor irrigation accounts for up to 50 percent of water use in Florida and up to 50 percent of the water applied to lawns is lost to evaporation - some households may lose up to 70 gallons of water each day.
That’s a scary amount of wasted water. So that’s why the Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department (WASD) and its partner, the University of Florida Miami-Dade Cooperative Extension Service, provide free assessments of in-ground irrigation systems and offer financial incentives in order to reduce the amount of water used for irrigation. Individual homeowners, businesses as well as homeowner and condominium associations, can have their irrigation system and landscapes evaluated in order to improve water efficiency.
The audits include an evaluation of current and past water use, on-site inspection of irrigation systems, testing for sprinkler uniformity, training of landscape personnel in the principles of efficient irrigation, and water use efficiency recommendations.
Homeowners who implement the recommendations and provide verification of the retrofits will qualify for up to $500 in rebates for qualifying retrofits, per fiscal year for up to five years. Homeowners do not need to implement all recommendations at once to be eligible for rebates. They can implement the retrofits for what works best for their system and their budget.
Multifamily properties and businesses that participate in the evaluation and implement qualifying water efficiency recommendations may receive up to $2,850 in rebates, and will receive a smart irrigation controller.
For more information on the free landscape irrigation evaluations, go to www.miamidade.gov/waterconservation/landscape-evaluations.asp.
It is the priority of the Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department to provide safe, reliable service to its customers. For additional information about Department services and programs, visit www.miamidade.gov/water.