Protecting Our Resources Together in St. Johns County

Q. How do I apply for a rebate?

A. Learn how you can receive a rebate on products designed to help you conserve on your utility usage at www.jea.com/rebates. 

Q. Thinking of the next generation and conservation education, does JEA partner with local schools to get the word out about conserving water?

A. We have a number of comprehensive programs we offer to schools regarding energy and water. The JEA Ambassador program members spend thousands of hours each year in the community, including local schools, educating our customers about conservation, safety and the various products and services JEA offers to customers. Learn more at www.jea.com/ambassadors.

Q. Will the RiverTown facility be used for waste water only? 

A. The RiverTown facility is actually a potable (drinking) water facility, and we are working to increase the number of potable water facilities in the area. Our Blacks Ford facility is the only waste water treatment facility in the area.

Q. Why the large drop in capital expend shown on the presentation for FY24?

A. We have a total of 42 projects currently planned. The presentation slide showing capital expenditures has a summary table at the top, which includes all projects (new development, interagency (joint) projects for St. Johns County, and JEA projects) and is just a timeline for construction. Each project is scheduled independently, and what you’re seeing is the overall timeline for construction on all the projects. 

Q. Will JEA expand use of reclaimed water to existing (older) neighborhoods?

A. Unfortunately, it is very cost prohibitive to expand reclaim water to established neighborhoods. Due to the amount of construction (tearing up and replacing of driveways, curbing, landscaping and roads), we do not retrofit older neighborhoods to install reclaim water. We are looking at other alternatives, such as groundwater replenishment, to make beneficial use of reclaimed water in existing neighborhoods, without having to tear up the area.

Q. Will the watering days be posted on the JEA website?

A. Visit www.jea.com/wateringdays or https://www.sjrwmd.com/wateringrestrictions/

Q. How do we get our HOA on board with Florida friendly landscaping and less grass required in our yards?

A. We reach out to builders frequently to help with water conservation. We are open to talk with both builders and HOAs about landscaping options that are both economical, and aesthetically pleasing. While JEA cannot dictate landscaping to builders or HOAs, having these discussions up front is an opportunity to set up the homeowner for success.

 Q. JEA seems to spend a great deal of money advertising. This seems to be a poor use of funds that could be better used to lower water costs.  

A. We are one of the few businesses that encourages customers to use less of our product. Just like other utilities, JEA spends a small portion of our budget on advertising. This is one of the various channels JEA uses to communicate safety and conservation to help customers lower their bills and protect the environment. 

Q. When are the free Irrigation Assessments available?

A. Appointments are available on weekdays, usually during daylight hours. This is so we can walk the property and better inspect the system. As you can imagine, these assessments are in high demand during summer months, when we are in drought conditions, and when high water bills concerns are on the rise. We understand that due to our customer’s busy schedules, they may not be home to provide access to their irrigation timer, if inside a garage. Therefore, appointments can sometimes be made later in the day or on weekends. 

Q. With future planned increase in pressure, will this impact current older water lines/systems?

A. Water pressure is measured in pounds per square inch (psi). Typically the JEA water system operates within 60psi, and when we see high demand, there can be dips in pressure to around 40psi. We may temporarily increase pressure to be able to sustain the 60psi customers are used to. A home with older pipes that are not up to plumbing code should be able to handle the 60psi our system delivers, but could have an issue if pressure is increased. The idea is to add the infrastructure to be able to sustain the 60 psi, not increase pressure.  

Q. If irrigation uses reclaimed water, how/why does it affect fresh water pressure?

A. Not all residential/commercial customers within the CR210 corridor utilize reclaim infrastructure for irrigation, so JEA maintains a diligent communication effort to treat all water as “One” and focus on conservation regardless of supply type.

Q. Is the irrigation check the same as a smart water check?

A. A Smart Water Check is focused on diagnosing a potential leak in the system, and the Irrigation Assessment is focused on helping you conserve water to lower your bill. The Smart Water Check is performed by a meter technician for the purpose of identifying issues at the water meter. Their specialty is to look at the tap and meter, and test the meter to identify water leaks inside the home, or in the JEA system. The Irrigation Assessment is completed by an assessor trained to exercise your irrigation system, program the timer, identify the amount of water going to individual zones, diagnose leaks, and suggest various practices and procedures to help reduce your water use inside and outside your home. 

Q. We just purchased a new washer and a wireless sprinkler system that links to weather. How do we get the rebates? 

A. While we are not providing retroactive rebates at this time, visit www.jea.com/rebates to see if any of your upcoming purchases might qualify for a rebate in the future. 

Q. We live in a community where sprinklers being used in common areas constantly. Is JEA working with the HOAs to reduce use in these areas?

A. Often times, the irrigation timer or rain sensor has not been programmed for these common areas. We are constantly working with HOAs and builders implement conservation best practices to be more water friendly.  

• Irrigate smart. Follow these tips to maintain a healthy lawn, while saving water and money.
• Follow your watering days.
• Set your irrigation timer to water only between midnight and 4 a.m., and avoid watering during the hottest part of the day. This helps avoid evaporation and runoff that can waste up to 50 percent of water used for irrigation.
• If your irrigation system has rain sensors, make sure they are in good working order to avoid unnecessary watering during rainy days.
• Check out the UF/IFAS Extension EDIS publication Watering Your Florida Lawn to learn best practices for watering Florida lawns.
• Even reclaimed water can be subject to low pressures, so it's important to conserve no matter where your water comes from.
• Identify and repair leaks. Find tips on how to test for leaks.
• Use efficient, low-flow shower heads and toilets. They can significantly cut down on the water you consume.

 

Schedule a free on-site Irrigation Assessment at your home or business. Our efficiency experts will check your water meter, inspect sprinkler rotors and sprayer heads, and offer recommendations. Call (904) 665-6000 (residential) or (904) 665-6250 (business) to schedule an assessment today.

Save water and money with rebates on water-efficient home upgrades. Visit our Residential Rebates page to view eligible appliances, toilets, smart irrigation controllers and more.

1. Take shorter showers
Take a 10-minute shower with a low-flow showerhead and you’ll use less water than for a full bath.
2. Turn off the tap
Avoid letting the water run while washing dishes, brushing your teeth, washing your hands or shaving.
3. Scrape, don’t rinse
Scrape dishes clean instead of rinsing them before loading in the dishwasher and run it only when it is full.
4. Wash with cold
Wash full loads of laundry in cold water using the short, or energy, cycle.
5. Fix leaky fixtures
Inspect all faucets and fixtures regularly for leaks or other issues. A running toilet can waste up to 200 gallons of water a day.
6. Use a bucket
Washing your car using a bucket instead of a hose can save up to 150 gallons per wash.
7. Consider energy-efficient upgrades
Installing high-efficiency faucet aerators on kitchen and bathroom sinks will help save money. EPA WaterSense showerheads and high-performance toilets use up to 30 percent less water than standard fixtures.
8. Choose native plants
Plants and shrubs that are native to Florida require less water than other landscaping options.
9. Water wisely
Limit your lawn watering to twice week from April to October and once a week from November to March.
10. Get a free checkup
Schedule a free JEA Irrigation Assessment to learn how to use your irrigation system more efficiently.