LED boards issue drought warning

LED signs erected in a US city are encouraging residents to use less water.

New Port Richey, Florida, has been in the grip of a drought for the past three years.

Officials have now installed LED screens bearing the message “Drought Conditions, Please Conserve Water” in a bid to preserve supplies.

The drought has worsened due to low rainfall leading the Public Works Department to borrow the LED sign from the local police station so it could spread the important message.

Other methods used to reduce water wastage include issuing residents with conservation kits and suggesting limits on the use of hose pipes.

Sylvia Durell, landscape expert, explained that the LED sign’s message may benefit the surrounding area.

“The cooler months are a good time to train lawns to need less water,” she said.

“Using less water will encourage deeper grass and plant roots, which makes them more drought-tolerant.”

Elsewhere, a Florida-based company, viaRadio has recently won a contract to display emergency information on LED signs in the state.