Community Water Wise Awards
In The Know For H2O
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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 2013 Community Water-Wise Awards
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2012 Community Water Wise Award Winner - Business
WMNF Community Radio
The WMNF team creatively used Florida-Friendly LandscapingTM
practices at their Southeast Seminole Heights radio station, resulting in an
aesthetically pleasing and environmentally-friendly addition to their
neighborhood. These include native plants and non-native adaptive plants,
drought-tolerant trees and plants, grouping of plants with similar water and
maintenance needs and the use of alternative mulches that are
environmentally-friendly. They also utilized the parking lots and roof drains to
create a swale, and landscape beds serve to retain stormwater runoff on
the property. Volunteers created a sun/shade diagram and irrigation plan
which makes it much easier to maintain. A drip irrigation system with a rain
sensor provides well for the plants and bird bath.
2012 Community Water Wise Award Winner - Residential
Steve Toenes
Steve Toenes incorporated positive examples of Florida-Friendly LandscapingTM
practices at his Tampa Palms home to create a beautiful and inviting landscape
that thrives on rainfall.
These include the planting of drought-tolerant trees and plants, groupings of
plants with similar water and maintenance needs, use of alternative mulches that
are environmentally-friendly and creation of landscape beds that serve to retain
stormwater runoff on the property.
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.
2010 Community Water Wise Award Winner
Nanette and Rick O'Hara
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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(page last reviewed: 4/13/12)
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