The "Southwest Florida Water Management District's(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us "Governing Board(Governing Board)":/about/governingboard voted today to let the modified Phase II water shortage restrictions expire on June 30.
Local governments will have the option of returning to the "District's twice-per-week, year-round water conservation measures(District Water Restrictions)":/conservation/restrictions/swfwmd.php starting July 1. See the *attached fact sheet* for a summary of the new restrictions. However, some local governments may impose different schedules or retain stricter measures. Residents should "check their local restrictions(Water Restrictions)":/conservation/restrictions/ before changing their irrigation schedule.
The Governing Board voted to lift the restrictions in response to significant improvements in aquifer and river levels as a result of this winter's above-average rainfall. Moreover, the region's major public water suppliers have been able to capture and store large supplies of water to meet the needs of residents. However, the Board urged residents to continue the "water conservation practices(Water Conservation)":/conservation/ they've learned over the past three years.
"I want to commend the residents of the region for really stepping up to the plate to conserve water over the past three years," said "Ronald E. Oakley, Governing Board chair(Ronald E. Oakley)":/about/governingboard/profiles/ron_oakley.html. "But we want to remind them that just because they may be able to water two days per week, doesn't mean they need to. We can't afford to be wasteful."
Twice-per-week watering allows residents additional flexibility for determining when to water. Residents are encouraged to water only if their lawn and landscape needs it and turn off their irrigation system if it has rained or rain is predicted in the next 24 hours. Some of the signs that a lawn needs water include a blue-gray appearance, blades folded in half lengthwise and footprints remaining on the lawn for several minutes after walking on it.
The District declared a water shortage in January 2007. Seven counties were subject to additional Phase III restrictions in 2008 and 2009. Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties were briefly subject to the most aggressive Phase IV restrictions when public water supplies were critically low last spring.
h3. Year-Round Water Conservation Measures
*Effective Date and Areas*
* The District's year-round water conservation measures go back into effect July 1, 2010 except where stricter measures have been imposed by local governments. Always refer to your local government or utility restrictions.
* Restrictions apply to all of Charlotte, Citrus, DeSoto, Hardee, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pinellas, Polk, and Sumter counties; and portions of Lake and Levy counties.
* Unincorporated Pasco County and unincorporated Sarasota County have local ordinances and are expected to remain on one-day-per-week restrictions.
* The City of Ocala and unincorporated Marion County will continue to follow the St. Johns River Water Management District's water restrictions; however, the City of Dunnellon and The Villages remain under the Southwest Florida Water Management District's water restrictions.
*Lawn Watering Schedule and Times*
* Lawn watering is limited to twice per week.
* Unless your city or county has a different schedule or stricter hours in effect,
** Even addresses may water on Thursday and/or Sunday before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m.
** Odd addresses may water on Wednesday and/or Saturday before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m.
*Landscape Watering Schedule and Times*
* Hand watering and micro-irrigation of plants (other than lawns) can be done on any day and at any time.
*New Lawns and Plants*
* New lawns and plants have a 30-30 establishment period, which allows any-day watering during the first 30 days.
* During the second 30 days, watering is allowed three days per week: even-numbered addresses may water on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday; odd-numbered addresses may water Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
*Reclaimed Water*
* Reclaimed water remains subject to voluntary watering hours, unless blended with another water source or restricted by the local government or utility.
*Fountain Operation, Car Washing and Pressure Washing*
* There are no restrictions on fountains, car washing and pressure washing.
* However, the District asks that residents be as efficient as possible, such as using a shut-off nozzle on their hose, so water isn't wasted.
Local governments will have the option of returning to the "District's twice-per-week, year-round water conservation measures(District Water Restrictions)":/conservation/restrictions/swfwmd.php starting July 1. See the *attached fact sheet* for a summary of the new restrictions. However, some local governments may impose different schedules or retain stricter measures. Residents should "check their local restrictions(Water Restrictions)":/conservation/restrictions/ before changing their irrigation schedule.
The Governing Board voted to lift the restrictions in response to significant improvements in aquifer and river levels as a result of this winter's above-average rainfall. Moreover, the region's major public water suppliers have been able to capture and store large supplies of water to meet the needs of residents. However, the Board urged residents to continue the "water conservation practices(Water Conservation)":/conservation/ they've learned over the past three years.
"I want to commend the residents of the region for really stepping up to the plate to conserve water over the past three years," said "Ronald E. Oakley, Governing Board chair(Ronald E. Oakley)":/about/governingboard/profiles/ron_oakley.html. "But we want to remind them that just because they may be able to water two days per week, doesn't mean they need to. We can't afford to be wasteful."
Twice-per-week watering allows residents additional flexibility for determining when to water. Residents are encouraged to water only if their lawn and landscape needs it and turn off their irrigation system if it has rained or rain is predicted in the next 24 hours. Some of the signs that a lawn needs water include a blue-gray appearance, blades folded in half lengthwise and footprints remaining on the lawn for several minutes after walking on it.
The District declared a water shortage in January 2007. Seven counties were subject to additional Phase III restrictions in 2008 and 2009. Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties were briefly subject to the most aggressive Phase IV restrictions when public water supplies were critically low last spring.
h3. Year-Round Water Conservation Measures
*Effective Date and Areas*
* The District's year-round water conservation measures go back into effect July 1, 2010 except where stricter measures have been imposed by local governments. Always refer to your local government or utility restrictions.
* Restrictions apply to all of Charlotte, Citrus, DeSoto, Hardee, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pinellas, Polk, and Sumter counties; and portions of Lake and Levy counties.
* Unincorporated Pasco County and unincorporated Sarasota County have local ordinances and are expected to remain on one-day-per-week restrictions.
* The City of Ocala and unincorporated Marion County will continue to follow the St. Johns River Water Management District's water restrictions; however, the City of Dunnellon and The Villages remain under the Southwest Florida Water Management District's water restrictions.
*Lawn Watering Schedule and Times*
* Lawn watering is limited to twice per week.
* Unless your city or county has a different schedule or stricter hours in effect,
** Even addresses may water on Thursday and/or Sunday before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m.
** Odd addresses may water on Wednesday and/or Saturday before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m.
*Landscape Watering Schedule and Times*
* Hand watering and micro-irrigation of plants (other than lawns) can be done on any day and at any time.
*New Lawns and Plants*
* New lawns and plants have a 30-30 establishment period, which allows any-day watering during the first 30 days.
* During the second 30 days, watering is allowed three days per week: even-numbered addresses may water on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday; odd-numbered addresses may water Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
*Reclaimed Water*
* Reclaimed water remains subject to voluntary watering hours, unless blended with another water source or restricted by the local government or utility.
*Fountain Operation, Car Washing and Pressure Washing*
* There are no restrictions on fountains, car washing and pressure washing.
* However, the District asks that residents be as efficient as possible, such as using a shut-off nozzle on their hose, so water isn't wasted.