The Southwest Florida Water Management District is urging residents to skip their next watering day if they’ve received at least a half-inch to three-quarters of an inch of rain today.
Outdoor water use can account for up to fifty percent of residential water use and skipping a week of irrigation will help conserve our limited drinking water supplies.
All 16 counties within the District are feeling the effects of the three-year drought.
“Even if it is your assigned day to irrigate, that doesn’t mean you have to water your lawn,” said Sylvia Durell, Florida-friendly landscaping project manager. “Unnecessary watering can waste time, money and water resources.”
The Tampa Bay Water service area, which includes most local governments in Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties, is under Modified Phase IV (or Critical) Water Shortage restrictions. The Peace River Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority service area, which includes Charlotte, DeSoto, Manatee and Sarasota counties, is under Modified Phase III (or Extreme) Water Shortage restrictions and the rest of the counties within the District remain under Phase II one-day-per-week lawn watering restrictions. All restrictions remain in effect until June, 30, 2009.
For more information about watering restrictions in your area, contact your local utility, or visit the District’s website at WaterMatters.org/restrictions/.