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When I got a BSc in Environmental Science in 1989, jobs in Ireland were scarce. I had a green card to work in the United States, so I thought I would try to build my resume. I had plans to return after a few years.
I have been working for the water management district of St Johns River in Florida for 27 years. So much for this short stay in the United States. I fell in love with the diverse nature of Florida – especially its herpetological diversity, with its lizards, snakes, salamanders and alligators.
About 90% of the water comes from the Floridan Aquifer, a prolific freshwater source found in limestone. under Florida and parts of the southeastern United States. With a population of more than 20 million and growing every day, conservation is essential to ensure an adequate water supply for all. We have longer, warmer summers and about 130 cm of rain a year, compared to 200 cm in Ireland.
I love helping the public and small water services to better conserve water
In the last 10 years, we have put in place an irrigation restriction rule that limits the watering of lawns and landscapes to two days in summer and one day in winter for all users residential and commercial. Watering restrictions are designed to ensure efficient use of water for landscape irrigation, but also help maintain healthy water throughout the year.
These mandatory restrictions specify the time and day of watering and the amount of water can be applied. It is this comprehensive approach to water conservation that allows the Florida economy to continue to grow while protecting natural resources.
I have specialized in water conservation for 12 years. The St. Johns River Water Management District is a regional water management organization. My average work day can involve anything to help an irrigation design professional, attending meetings on quantification of water conservation. I help the public and small water services to better conserve water.
I've heard about water shortages in Ireland and it keeps on surprising how fast Ireland can be in drought conditions. I remember many summer droughts as I grew up in Co Meath, and our efforts to reuse water for plants after indoor use. We had a cistern in the attic to save a well, and only in the last few years, I realized how creative and forward-thinking my father was to build this water feature in our home in Dunshaughlin . The tank is very useful in dry summers
The average person in the area where I live uses 340 liters a day, almost three times the amount that a person uses in Ireland. During the dry season, from March to June, this quantity can increase considerably. People consume more water in Florida than the Irish mainly because of outdoor residential irrigation. Almost all new homes are built with a buried irrigation system, which almost doubles the use by homeowners.
From what I've seen, Ireland is in many ways ahead of Florida in terms of water conservation. Most new homes are built with high efficiency plumbing fixtures and no outside irrigation system. High-efficiency washing machines have been the norm for decades, but they are relatively new in the United States.
Water conservation in Ireland is likely to depend on behavior, and since drought is usually short-lived, it can be modified. Daily use. An unusual tip that I've heard recently from Levi jeans makers is that it's best to wash the jeans only after the fifth wear, so the re-clothing clothes in general is a good idea. Other tips are to take shorter showers (not baths), hand dishwashing (dishwashers are usually more efficient) and reuse the water to water the plants.
Water is essential to the life and economy of Florida. essential for the survival of plants, animals and humans. We do not just keep our water during periods of drought. Water conservation is a way of life in Florida.
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