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Community Water Wise Awards


In The Know For H2

Community Water Wise Award graphic Saving water isn't just good for the environment - it makes good "cents"! Homeowners and businesses across the Tampa Bay area are discovering that a few simple changes can help significantly lower water bills, and improve the health and beauty of their landscapes while helping to preserve Florida's natural environment. The Community Water Wise Awards were created to recognize those who have committed to conserving our water resources and protecting the environment by using attractive Florida-friendly landscaping.

 

Enter the 2012 Community Water-Wise Awards in early 2012


2011 Community Water Wise Award Winner

    Laura and Steve Barber  

The Barber's used Florida-Friendly LandscapingTM practices for their 1920s New Suburb Beautiful home to create great curb appeal. These include the planting of drought-tolerant trees and plants, self-mulching areas located under trees, plants appropriate for the site conditions and grouped by maintenance and water requirements, irrigation via low volume, multiple rain barrels for rainwater harvesting, organic mulch applied 2-3 inches in depth, and alternative organic mulch was used.

2011 Award Winning CWWA Yard     2011 CWWA Awarding Winning Yard near patio

2011 Community Water Wise Award winning property


2010 Community Water Wise Award Winner

    Nanette and Rick O'Hara   See a tour of the award winning yard on Tampa's YouTube Channel

The O'Hara's Seminole Heights landscape features many positive examples of Florida-Friendly LandscapingTM practices. These include drought-tolerant trees and plants, self-mulching areas under trees, pervious materials for paths and walkways, grouping of plants with similar water and maintenance needs, use of alternative mulches that are environmentally-friendly, downspouts directed into mulched or planted areas or into rain harvesting devices, and creation of landscape beds that serve to retain stormwater runoff on the property.

2010 Award Winning CWWA Yard front     2010 CWWA Award Winning Yard rain barrel

2010 CWWA Awarding Winning Yard back  2010 CWWA stepping stone

 

 


 

2008 Community Water Wise Award Commercial Property Winner

    Landmarc Realty

The design of Landmarc Realty's landscaping in the North Hyde Park neighborhood of Tampa creates a colorful oasis on a busy commercial roadway. The selection of plant materials are appropriate for the existing site conditions, reducing the need for excess fertilizers and pesticides that contribute to non-point source pollution. By using an alternative, organic mulch they contribute to efforts to preserve remaining cypress wetlands. Plant beds are watered with micro-irrigation, rather than a high-volume system and pathways are pervious, allowing for stormwater infiltration and reduced non-point source runoff pollution.

2008 Water Wise Award Winning Commercial Yard  2008 Water Wise Award Winning Commercial Yard  

2008 Water Wise Award Winning Commercial Yard  2008 Water Wise Award


2008 Community Water Wise Award Residential Property Winner

    Mike Eisenfeld

The design of the Eisenfeld's yard in the Historic Hyde Park neighborhood of Tampa combines traditional aesthetic principles with modern technology. The selection of plant materials are appropriate for the existing site conditions, reducing the need for excess fertilizers and pesticides that contribute to non-point source pollution. By using an alternative, organic mulch they contribute to efforts to preserve remaining cypress wetlands. Plant beds are watered with micro-irrigation, rather than a high-volume system and pathways are pervious, allowing for stormwater infiltration and reduced non-point source runoff pollution.

2008 Water Wise Award Winning Residential Yard  2008 Water Wise Award Winning Residential Yard  

2008 Water Wise Award Winning Residential Yard  2008 Water Wise Award

 


2007 Community Water Wise Award Winner

    Josephine Black

The design of Josephine Black's landscaping in the Bayside West neighborhood of Tampa is very inviting, with a diversity of colors and plant materials. Her selection of plant materials are appropriate for the existing site conditions, reducing the need for excess fertilizers and pesticides that contribute to non-point source pollution. By using mulch for the winding pervious pathways through the yard, she allows for the infiltration of storm water runoff. Self mulching plant beds and paths located below the tree canopy utilize free seasonally available leaves. All of her planting beds are hand-watered as needed, rather than regularly without regard to soil and plant conditions.

The Tampa Water Department congratulates Ms. Black on her award winning landscape which demonstrates Florida-friendly yards can be aesthetically pleasing while environmentally sensitive.

2007 Water Wise Award Winning Yard  2007 Water Wise Award Winning Yard  

2007 Water Wise Award Winning Yard  2007 Water Wise Stepping Stone Award


 2005 Community Water Wise Award Winner

    Virginia Overstreet

Virginia Overstreet's home in historic Seminole Heights exudes life through vibrant colors all year round from her beautiful landscape consisting of native, Florida-friendly, tropical plants.

Two rain barrels are used to collect rainwater for the potted plants that decorate her backyard. The rest of the landscape is watered by micro-irrigation. Groundcovers have replaced areas where grass would not grow, helping to reduce erosion and storm water runoff from her property.  Bricks and cobblestones that lead to her front door allow water to percolate through the soil to recharge the aquifer and add a welcoming gesture to her home.
 

2005 Water Wise Award Winning Yard   2005 Water Wise Award Winning Yard  

2005 Water Wise Award Winning Yard   2005 Water Wise Stepping Stone Award

 

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