One-day-a-week Landscape Irrigation Resumes Nov. 6th

Starting Sunday, Nov. 6, landscape irrigation returned to no more than one day a week across the 18 counties of the St. Johns River Water Management District.

Eastern Standard Time begins Nov. 6, marking the third year of districtwide one-day-per-week watering restrictions during Florida's cooler months. Watering restrictions are designed to allow enough water to maintain healthy landscapes year-round and also to ensure the efficient use of water for landscape irrigation by specifying the days and time of day when watering may occur and the amount of water that may be applied.

"Conservation is among the most important strategies to help meet Florida's water supply needs for today and the future," said Michael Register, director of the District's Department of Regulatory Services. "The majority of people in our District are doing their part to save water by adhering to the restrictions, recognizing that water conservation can be easy and making a tremendous impact on how much water is conserved. The efficient use of water can save thousands of gallons of water per month and often delivers money savings as well."

With more than half of commercial and residential water use occurring outdoors, mandatory watering restrictions are in place throughout the year within the District's region to ensure the efficient use of water for lawn and landscape irrigation. Watering wisely promotes healthier lawns and landscapes and conserves Florida's water resources.

During the warmer months of daylight saving time, irrigation is allowed up to twice a week. When Eastern Standard Time is in effect, outdoor irrigation is limited to no more than one day a week on the following schedule:

• Saturday at addresses that end in an odd number or have no address
• Sunday at addresses that end in an even number
• Tuesday at nonresidential addresses
• No irrigation is allowed between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

In addition, irrigation is limited to 3/4-inch of water per irrigation zone and to no more than one hour per irrigation zone.

The restrictions apply to water withdrawn from ground or surface water, from a private well or pump, or from a public or private water utility.

Irrigation limitations apply to all landscape irrigation not currently regulated by a consumptive use permit, which typically includes residential, commercial and industrial establishments. Golf courses, plant nurseries, agricultural crops, and sports recreational areas generally have consumptive use permits that specify their irrigation limitations.

When daylight saving time returns on March 11, 2012, landscape irrigation will return to the two-day-a-week schedule.

More details and information about exceptions is available on the District's watering restrictions web page.