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Local Voices

Tampa Bay Water Accepting Entries for Community Water-Wise Awards Program Recognizes Attractive, Water Efficient Landscapes

Tampa Bay Water is now accepting applications for the 2014 Community Water-Wise Awards program. If your yard incorporates Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ principles with attractive design, it may have what it takes to win! The application is online at tampabaywaterwise.org and must be received by June 30, 2014.

All residents, businesses, builders or other organizations in Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties as well as the cities of Tampa, St. Petersburg and New Port Richey are eligible to apply.

Applying for a Water-Wise award is easy! Simply fill out the online application form at tampabaywaterwise.org with a brief description and photos of your water-efficient landscape. Each landscape entry will be evaluated and scored on-site by a local Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ representative during regular business hours in July; applicants need not be present for this evaluation.

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A winning landscape balances attractive design with Florida-Friendly plants and landscape elements, as well as water-efficient irrigation techniques that have a positive impact on our environment.

“It’s part of the station’s mission to try to minimize our impact on the environment, it’s kind of in our DNA,” said Paul Carrol of WMNF Radio. “We separately meter the water for the irrigation of the station, so we know exactly how much we use and we try to take that down to zero.”

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Winners are awarded with a custom-made, mosaic landscape stepping stone during a ceremony presented by county commissioners, city council members or even mayors within their local government.

“Winning a Water-Wise Award gave me an opportunity to share what I’ve done with people,” said Tom Ungaro, 2011 Water-Wise Award Winner. “They could see the results of how you can enjoy the landscape and the environment, but also how you can save water and money.”

To get a glimpse at past Community Water-Wise Award winners water efficient landscapes and to learn more about the benefits of a water-wise landscape, visit Tampa Bay Water’s Community Water-Wise video series on YouTube, found at tampabaywaterwise.org/past_winners. Each video in the series showcases a past winner’s experience with the Water-Wise program, including information about their personal landscaping practices, irrigation techniques and what it means to be Water-Wise.

If your yard combines elements of beauty, creativity and water efficiency you could be our next winner - don’t hesitate, apply today! tampabaywaterwise.org

 

About the Community Water-Wise Awards

The Water-Wise Awards program is designed to recognize attractive, water-conserving landscapes in various water-use sectors (e.g., homes, businesses, industry and government). Moreover, the program seeks to identify actual examples of outstanding Florida-friendly, water-wise landscaping and to promote those principles within the community. www.tampabaywaterwise.org

About Tampa Bay Water

Tampa Bay Water is the largest wholesale water supplier in Florida, providing high-quality drinking water to its members, who in turn, supply water to more than 2.3 million residents of the Tampa Bay area. Tampa Bay Water member governments include the cities of New Port Richey, St. Petersburg and Tampa, and the counties of Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas. www.tampabaywater.org
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