Citrus County Utility (CCU) customers eagerly participated in irrigation system trainings, swapped outdated toilets for water-efficient models, installed smart irrigation controllers, replaced non-functioning rain sensors, participated in classes and more, as part of the utility’s conservation efforts.  The results show these customers collectively reduced their water use by over 100 million gallons of water in 2018.  That’s enough water to serve the entire Sugarmill Woods community for two months. 

Citrus County Utility Customers Save Over 100 Million Gallons of Water in 2018

So, how did they save?  Well, the 363 customers that participated in the ‘schedule a specialist’ program in 2017 saw the greatest savings.  The personalized training each customer received at their home focused on the irrigation system, understanding the controller, and identifying leaky sprinkler heads.  Participants saved over 19 million gallons of water in 2018, a 25% average reduction.  

Ninety-four customers received a rebate for replacing a non-functioning rain sensor in 2017.  In 2018, those customers who had replaced their rain sensors saved 3,310,000 gallons of water, a 19% decrease.  An additional 238 customers received rebates for replacing water guzzling pre-1995 toilets with EPA WaterSense labeled models in 2017. These customers saved over four million gallons of water in 2018. 

Water Sense labeled irrigation controllers contributed to the second greatest percent reduction in water use.  These controllers allow watering schedules to better match landscape water needs while still saving water.  Forty-three owners installed labeled controllers in 2017 and reduced water use by 21% in 2018, saving 2,268,000 gallons of water.

CCU once again joined the Southwest Florida Water Management District and Withlacoochee Regional Water Supply Authority to offer grant-funded irrigation evaluations to its customers.  Participants from multiple years jointly saved over 20 million gallons of water in 2018. 

Lastly, with a constant influx of new customers, the utility sent nearly 1,500 notices asking recipients to correct their day/time of irrigation in 2017. Customers that received the notifications reduced water use by 20% the following year, saving over 50 million gallons of water.

All water use calculations are based on utility customers’ twelve-month pre and post water use.  Conservation programs are funded through the Department of Water Resources enterprise fund, aka Citrus County Utilities.  If you would like further details, or are a CCU water customer interested in participating in conservation programming, please call (352) 527-7669.

WaterSense, a partnership program sponsored by EPA, seeks to protect the future of our nation’s water supply by offering people a simple way to use less water with water-efficient products, new homes, and services. Since the program’s inception in 2006, WaterSense has helped consumers save more than 2 trillion gallons of water and billions in water and energy bills. For more information, visit www.epa.gov/watersense.