New online tool calculates home water use

New online tool calculates home water use

Homeowners can calculate how much water they use indoors and outdoors with a new interactive Web tool developed by the St. Johns River Water Management District.

The online home water use survey features an animated 3D image of a home showing typical appliances, landscaping and other areas where water is used. Visitors to the page can click on the home’s features, defined by flashing dots, to receive a water conservation tip or to reach a new window in which to type personal water use information. Using the information provided by the user, the tool calculates water use and provides totals for indoor and outdoor water usage, as well as a grand total, and issues a report at its completion.

"Many people don’t realize just how much water we use in our homes every day," says Jeff Cole, director of the District’s Office of Communications and Governmental Affairs. "The home water use Web tool can help you attain a reasonable estimate of your own water usage and learn ways to save water at home, which also can save you money and, in many cases, effort."

Conserving water is good for the environment, but also can help homeowners save money on utility bills, spend less time on home maintenance, and worry less about mold and mildew damage caused by leaking water.

Cole points out that the Web tool can also be a fun and creative math exercise for children to undertake with their parents.

The District has long taken a leadership role in implementing numerous water conservation strategies and programs that include water use regulation and enforcement; assisting in the development of local government ordinances and policies to promote water savings, water-efficient residential and commercial building practices; and providing education to adults and children.

The home water use survey may be found online at http://www.sjrwmd.com/floridaswater/conservation/survey.html.