Water Conservation Support

Education and incentives can help residents build healthy water use habits. St. Petersburg’s Water Conservation Program assists customers with their conservation efforts by providing information, publications, incentive programs, presentations, and giveaway items to help residents understand and reduce their water consumption. Workshops will be added as they become available. Check this site or subscribe to the Water Wise eSplash below for updates. 

Sign up for the Water Wise eSplash

Virtual Workshops

RAINWATER GUARDIAN WORKSHOP

Collecting rainwater is an excellent way to save resources. With ½” of rainfall, you can collect 300 gallons of water from 1,000 square feet of roof. Attend a Rainwater Guardian Workshop to learn about:

• Reducing the use of potable (drinking) water for lawn and garden irrigation
• How rainwater harvesting helps protect local waterways and the environment
• Rain barrel setup, use, and maintenance
• Creating shallow rain gardens that are attractive and functional

Workshops are free and pre-registration is required for attendance. Register for an upcoming workshop below to reserve a spot. Classes and events may be canceled at any time due to low registration or other circumstances. St. Petersburg utility customers may receive a free rain barrel at a later date upon completion of a Rainwater Guardian Workshop. 

UPCOMING RAINWATER GUARDIAN WORKSHOPS

Saturday, October 21, 2023, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Register Here: https://stpeterwg20231021.eventbrite.com/ 

Wednesday, November 1, 2023 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Register Here: https://stpeterwg20231101.eventbrite.com/

Saturday, December 9, 2023 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Register Here: https://stpeterwg20231209.eventbrite.com/

Tuesday, January 9, 2024, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Register Here: https://stpeterwg20240109_lunch.eventbrite.com/

WATER WISE LIVING - DO'S, DON'TS, AND HOW TO'S

Tuesday, September 26, 2023 from 12 to 12:45 p.m.
Register Here: https://stpetewaterwiseliving20230926.eventbrite.com/

Wednesday, December 20, 2023 from 12 to 12:45 p.m.
Register Here: https://stpetewaterwiselivingdos-dontsWebinar20231220.eventbrite.com

Is your family ready to replace water-wasting habits with more water-wise ones? Are you sure that there isn’t more that can be done to save water and protect our environment? For example, what simple practice could help you prevent wasting up to 6,000 gallons of water each month?

Join fellow citizens to learn some important water-wise practices you may not know about. Class includes instructions for employing water saving habits and technologies into your family’s everyday life.

Additional workshops will be added as they become available. Check this site for updates. 

Getting to Know Your Sprinkler System

Wednesday, October 11, 2023 from 6 to 8 p.m. 
Register Here: https://StPeteSprinklerSystemWebinar20231011.eventbrite.com

Did you move into a home with a sprinkler system, but have no idea how well it works? You are not alone. Join us to learn about the basics.

If you have "inherited" a sprinkler system but aren't sure how to operate and maintain it properly, this is your class! Learn the different components of sprinkler systems and how they work together.

Are all areas of your lawn and landscape being watered uniformly? Is the timer set to run according to existing mandatory watering restrictions? Discover ways to make sure your sprinkler system is running correctly and applying water efficiently.

How to be a Smart Irrigator

Tuesday, October 24, 2023 from 12 to 1 p.m. 
Register Here: https://StPeteSmartIrrigator20231024.eventbrite.com

Do you know how much water you use each time you run your sprinkler system? Did you know that if you still use drinking water for your sprinkler system, up to 40% of your monthly utility bill is for watering plants and turfgrass? Which actions will help you save water and money?

Attain a better understanding of the use of soil moisture sensors and evapotranspiration controllers. These types of smart irrigation technology allow watering only when the plants and lawn need it, when they are installed, calibrated, and operated properly. Find out how to receive a free installation of these technologies by applying for the Tampa Bay Water Wise Program.

Intro to Micro-irrigation

Tuesday, November 14, 2023 from 12 to 1 p.m.
Register Here: https://stpeteintrotomicrowebinar20231114.eventbrite.com

What is micro irrigation? Is it the same as drip irrigation? Learn the difference and how to start changing your existing sprinkler system to save up to 60% on your water use.

Benefits of using micro irrigation for landscape bed watering:

• Water savings compared to using traditional sprinklers
• Highly adaptable
• Can be used as a temporarily watering system for new plants, sod and seeds
• Minimizes soil erosion and weed seed sprouting by directing rain runoff to plant roots – where we want it to go
• Decreases the amount of pollutants running off a property and entering local water bodies
• Lessens a property’s impact on the community’s stormwater system and environment

Join fellow citizens to learn micro irrigation basics and obtain resources to continue your educational journey. A future in-person workshop will provide more planning detail, instructions and hands-on activities. Visit www.stpete.org/WaterWorkshops regularly to find newly scheduled classes.

Landscape Design Basics

Saturday, January 27, 2024 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Register Here: https://StPeteLandcapeDesignBasics20240127.eventbrite.com

Are you looking to change an area of your landscape or fix a problem while improving the look of your yard? Is it time to reduce the amount of work you put into lawn and landscape maintenance?

This interactive class by St. Petersburg’s water conservation coordinator is designed to inspire you to make positive changes in your yard. It will introduce and demonstrate concepts for creating a water efficient, low maintenance and attractive landscape that meets your family's needs. Learn some landscaping tips and available resources while moving through the planning process.

Water-Saving Tips

Find indoor and outdoor water-saving tips in the Good Neighbor Guide to Water Conservation below.

Good Neighbor Guide to Water Conservation 

Indoor Water Conservation Kits

The St. Petersburg Water Resources Department is providing indoor conservation kits to water customers. Each kit includes a low-flow showerhead, toilet leak-detection dye tabs, and faucet aerators for the kitchen and bathroom. To receive a free kit, St. Petersburg water customers should bring a utility bill to the Water Resources Department at 1650 3rd Ave. N., Monday through Friday between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Partners in Water Conservation 

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) is responsible for water resource management in west-central Florida and Tampa Bay Water is the region's drinking water supply. 

Residents with a water bill that comes from Pinellas County can find information on available publications and rebate and giveaway programs by visiting Pinellas County Utilities or by calling 727-464-4000. 

Personal Water Use Calculator

Understanding how much water each of us uses and where it is used is the first step in beginning to conserve this precious resource. A simple household water checklist will allow residents to understand their consumption, both indoors and outdoors. After calculating personal water use patterns, residents can begin to conserve in ways that work best for their lifestyle.

Speakers for Programs 

Specialists are available to speak with community associations and groups on topics that include indoor and outdoor water conservation, leak detection, reclaimed water use, micro-irrigation, sprinkler system self-checkups, and Florida-Friendly Landscaping™. To schedule a presentation, call 727-892-5688 or email WaterDept@stpete.org.

Water Watch Info Line: 727-892-5300

This is an automated phone line with information on current watering restrictions. Residents who wish to report a suspected violation of the current watering restrictions may leave an address and detailed information.