New Courses Available
Free, self-paced UF/IFAS Extension Online Learning courses are now available. Click on the course name below to register through Canvas. Participants who successfully complete the course will earn a certificate.
- Water Conservation in Sarasota County
- Healthy Yards Irrigation Program: Irrigation Basics
- Healthy Yards Irrigation Program: DIY Irrigation
Take Action
You can do your part by creating habits of water conservation and efficiency. Consider the true value of water each time you turn on the tap, and figure out ways to cut your water use. You can estimate your water use at home with this calculator from SWFWMD. To get started saving, try picking out a couple areas where you can reduce your weekly water consumption.
Looking for more passive ways to conserve water? This chart shows how much water you could save by switching from standard to water-efficient devices, like low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators.
Common Household Devices | Water Use | Water Savings with Efficient Device | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Standard device | Efficient device | Daily / Per Use | Annual | |
Showerhead | ≥ 2.5 gal/min | 1.5 gal/min | 8.0 gal/day | 2,920 gal |
Faucet, bathroom | 2.2 gal/min | 1.0 gal/min | 3.3 gal/day | 1,205 gal |
Toilet | ≥ 1.6 gal/flush | 1.3 gal/flush | 0.3 gal/flush | 548 gal |
Faucet, kitchen | ≥ 2.5 gal/min | 1.5 gal/min | 5.0 gal/day | 1,825 gal |
Dishwasher | ≥ 11 gal/use | 5.8 gal/use | 5.2 gal/use | 664 gal |
Washing machine | ≥ 43 gal/use | 13 gal/use | 30 gal/use | 2,190 gal |
TOTAL ANNUAL WATER SAVINGS: 11,542 gal |
Water Conservation
Water is a key driver of our health, environment, and economy. Therefore, it is critical that we, as citizens of Sarasota County, continue to foster a growing ethic to conserve water during periods of water abundance and scarcity.
Drought — also a key characteristic of the Sarasota County climate — greatly affects local and regional water supplies. Though not easily defined, drought is generally considered to be a period of less-than-normal rainfall. Droughts are less predictable but just as much a part of our local climate as thunderstorms and hurricanes. Past droughts have led to strict water-use restrictions that disrupted everyday living.

Contribute to Sarasota County's growing water conservation ethic, essential to sustaining and protecting our water supply and preserving our quality of life. Have an irrigation system? Follow our 4-step approach for reducing your outdoor water consumption, and cutting your water bill in the process. Register for a live online class to learn more about using rain barrels to collect water, adopting Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ around your home or business, and others designed to help you conserve water.
Learn More
Make the Pledge
- Aerator pledge (PDF)
- Showerhead pledge (PDF)