Thanks go to OSFR board member Cindy Noel for sending the following information which is pertinent to all residents of Alachua County.
Alachua County is to be commended for its pro-environment actions, and also the SJRWMD for making this program possible. Alachua County is an outstanding leader in environmental issues.
Comments by OSFR historian Jim Tatum.
-A river is like a life: once taken, it cannot be brought back-
ALACHUA COUNTY, FL – Alachua County’s Environmental Protection Department (EPD) has received $300,000 in funding from the St. Johns River Water Management District to reduce water use by replacing irrigated turf with Florida Friendly Landscaping. A 50 percent rebate, up to $2,000 is available to property owners that meet program criteria while funds are available. The program is open to homeowners, commercial properties, and Homeowner Associations within Alachua County, including the municipalities.
Participants are encouraged to call EPD staff at 352-264-6800 to make sure they fully understand the program requirements before making changes in their landscapes. Work must be conducted by qualified “SWAP Shops” and must include at least partial removal of traditional irrigation.
“Newer homes with irrigation systems use over 350 gallons per day on average,” said EPD Water Conservation Coordinator Stacie Greco. She continued, “The goal of the Turf SWAP program is to help property owners replace part of their high water use landscapes with those that use less water and fertilizer.”
Learn more about the Turf Swap program on their website.
Learn more about conserving water, visit the County’s My Yard Our Water website.
For more information, contact Stacie Greco at 352-264-6829 or sgreco@alachuacounty.us.
