Florida receives more than 55 inches of water per year and we lead the nation in per capita water use. The Everglades need the water more than we do, so here are some ideas for changes that will result in reducing your water consumption.
Probably the most important thing to change. Look at the concept as a challenge, not as a hardship. Many little changes add up. You may think using a bucket in the shower is out of the question, but try it, it will easily become part of your daily routine. Figure out how you can use as little water as possible. Your bills will go down and so will your cost to the environment!!
By using biodegradable cleaners available at health food stores (these are better for the environment and your health anyway) you can use water saved from dish washing, laundry, and showering to water your plants. Call & ask the companies making the products to verify they truly are safe for plants.
Contrary to popular belief, a person being careful (not letting the water run the whole time) can use much less water than a dishwasher. Use a plastic tub (I usually see these at thrift stores, garage sales, and sometimes on bulk trash night) to collect the water from the process. We keep a bucket in our kitchen & pour the dish water in there. When it’s full, we take it outside and pour it on trees, bushes, houseplants. It’s probably not OK to use this on food plants.
Although it’s not strictly legal, if a washing machine is outside or near an outside wall, one can use laundry water to water plants. Run a hose from the out flow and move the end from place to place. Do not leave it in the same place as fluff from the laundry can clog the soil & harm the plants. If you move the hose around, this gives the fluff time to biodegrade. Again, this should be used on ornamentals. When your washing machine no longer can be repaired, after recycling it, buy a front loader. These use far less water and also have a more efficient spin cycle so that line drying time is reduced.
Get a low flow shower head, the type with an integral off switch that lets you interrupt the flow without turning of the faucets. Obtain a bucket to put under the tap. We bought (couldn't find used...) a bucket with a flat back and it sits easily under the tap. It stays in the tub so that when the water runs to get hot, that water is collected in the bucket. We also close the drain when showering & then scoop the water into the bucket when finished. We use the water to flush the toilet and to water the plants.
We bought galvanized garbage cans for collecting rainwater that falls from our eaves. To prevent mosquito infestation, add a piece of Mosquito Dunk www.summitchemical.com to kill the larvae. We use this water for plants when there’s no rain, for cleaning the floors, and for pouring into the washing machine.
Compost so that your soil will hold more water. Plant natives, xeriscape, use mulch to keep moisture in. There are lots of sites on this topic, so I won’t go into it here.