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The Withlacoochee Regional Water Supply Authority has awarded Citrus County Water Resources Department a $45,000 grant to continue its efforts in water conservation.

A number of counties received the matching grant, and Citrus, Hernando and Marion counties will oversee local programs for rebates, incentives, irrigation audits, outreach, media campaigns, education, and grants for low-flow devices.

“The success of the grant application is a tribute to the efforts and successes being implemented by Bernadine Flood,” said Citrus County Water Resources Director Robert Knight, referring to the county’s conservation and outreach coordinator. Flood works with both private and commercial interests to educate the public and create partnerships that focus on water conservation. She works with individuals, groups and businesses on methods to conserve water both inside and outside homes and businesses.

Jackson Sullivan, Executive Director of the authority, said in his notification to Citrus of the grant approval, “As you know, the authority places the highest priority on water conservation projects within the region.”

He told the counties getting the grant: “The authority is counting on your water conservation programs to lead the way in our region toward meeting the 150 gallons per capita per day requirement by 2018 adopted by SWFWMD [Southwest Florida Water Management District -- which sets per capita consumption goals for the district].” That per capita use is now at about 187 gallons per day for the area.

For information on water conservation, visit  the Citrus County Extension Service Website at www.bocc.citrus.fl.us and click “Community Services” under “Departments” at the top of the page. Then click on “Extension Services.”

Also, the water district’s Website at www.swfwmd.state.fl.us has extensive water conservation information.