http://www.baynews9.com/content/36/2007/11/1/299676.html

Protecting the state's most precious resource
Thursday, November 1, 2007

CITRUS COUNTY (Bay News 9) -- A model home that's part of the Parade of Homes in Citrus County is a model in more ways than one.

It's builder, Rusaw Homes, was given Citrus County's first water-wise landscape award. Not necessarily because of what's in the home, but what's on the outside.

"Half your water goes onto your irrigation, your landscape, so you can save a lot of water if you watch what you're using to water it with, Jim Crosley with Rusaw Homes said.

Crosley uses a drip system to water plants, with soil moisture sensors. He plants drought-tolerant Bahia sod, leaving at least half of each lot native, not clearing the whole acre for construction.

"That's using the landscaping that is Florida natural type landscaping instead of using something that is hard to water or takes so much water," Crosley said.

The Southwest Florida Management District (SWIFTMUD) gives out the award. The agency supports the communities and counties that have landscaping ordinances.

But in places like Citrus County, where there are none, Robyn Hanke with SWIFTMUD said awards like this are like carrots to lead builders.

"The residents are going to be saving money down the line. But for them [builders], they can also use it as a sales and marketing tool," Hanke said.

SWIFTMUD recently told Citrus County to stop over-pumping water. The county is going over the maximum water usage by about a million gallons a day.