Two Days Per Week Watering

The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) modified emergency water restrictions to 2 days per week watering of residential and business property effective April 18, 2008.  The modified mandatory restrictions apply to all water from traditional sources including water from public utilities, private wells, canals, ponds and lakes.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE MODIFIED PHASE II WATER SHORTAGE ORDER INCLUDE:

• Odd street addresses may irrigate lawns and landscapes on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 12 am to 10 am and/or 4 pm to 11:59 pm.

• Even street addresses may irrigate lawns and landscapes on Thursdays and Sundays from 12 am to 10 am and/or 4 pm to 11:59 pm.

• The SFWMD recommends the efficient use of water, which includes placing a maximum of about three-quarters of an inch to an inch of water once per week on lawns and accomplishing irrigation during the early morning hours when temperatures and wind speed are the lowest to reduce evaporation losses.

• Hand-watering with one hose fitted with an automatic shut-off nozzle is allowed for 10 minutes per day for landscape stress relief and to prevent plant die-off.

• Low-volume irrigation, including the use of drip and microjet systems that apply water directly to plant root zones, is not restricted but should be voluntarily reduced.

• Additional watering days and times are allocated for the establishment of new lawns and landscapes.

• No restrictions apply to other outside water uses, such as for car and boat washing, pressure cleaning of paved surfaces, decorative fountains and water-based recreation (e.g. swimming pools, water slides).

• Golf courses must reduce their allocated water use by 30 percent.

Users of 100-percent reclaimed water are exempt from the restrictions but are encouraged to conserve water voluntarily.

Failure to observe water restrictions could result in fines starting at $100.

For additional information on the water shortage, irrigation restrictions or water conservation, call the SFWMD’s toll-free Water Conservation Hotline at 1-800-662-8876, visit www.sfwmd.gov or contact a regional SFWMD service center. Helpful water conservation tips also are available at www.savewaterfl.com.