Water conservation

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Frequently asked questions

on District watering restrictions

• Why is irrigation being limited?
• When can I water?
• Why were weekend days chosen as watering days when that’s when many people do yard work?
• Why is watering restricted to one day a week in the winter?
• Is the one day a week schedule permanent?
• Is water from wells, lakes and rivers exempt from the restrictions?
• Can I water newly planted grass and/or plants, and can I water in fertilizers and pesticides?
• Is the use of reclaimed water exempt from the restrictions?
• How are the watering restrictions enforced?
• Does my city or county have an ordinance implementing the watering restrictions?
• What is the penalty for violating the watering restrictions?
• How can I report an irrigation violation?
• Are there watering restrictions for vegetable gardens?
• Are athletic fields, nursery plants and cemeteries restricted by the day?
• Why are residents and businesses asked to restrict lawn watering when the District recently approved a permit for a water bottler?

Why is irrigation being limited?

Public water supply is the largest category of water use in the District’s 18-county region — about 611 million gallons of water a day. The bulk of this water is for residential water use, and landscape irrigation can account for more than 50 percent of total water use at residential locations. Freshwater is a finite resource in Florida, and increased conservation will delay the need to implement some expensive alternative water supplies in the future.

When can I water?

The details are listed at floridaswater.com/wateringrestrictions.

Why were weekend days chosen as watering days when that’s when many people do yard work?

Not everyone has an automatic in-ground irrigation system, and those who use hoses and sprinklers need some weekend time for irrigation. If your watering day is Saturday and you want to work in your yard on Saturday morning, try watering Saturday evening after you complete your yard work. It’s also good to remember that just because you can water on a certain day doesn’t mean that you have to water. Watch for signs of stress before deciding to water.

Why is watering restricted to one day a week in the winter?

Based on scientific analysis from the University of Florida IFAS program, healthy Florida lawns require no more than two days per week of water during the hot, dry season — less during rainy periods — and no more than one day a week during cooler weather. Additional irrigation is unnecessary and wasteful.

Is the one–day–a–week schedule permanent?

One day a week watering is allowed during Eastern Standard Time. The schedule is two days a week during daylight saving time. The schedule is available at floridaswater.com/wateringrestrictions.

Is water from wells, lakes and rivers exempt from the restrictions?

No. Restrictions apply to water withdrawn from ground or surface water, from a private well or pump, or from a public or private utility.

Can I water newly planted grass and/or plants, and can I water in fertilizers and pesticides?

Yes. Exceptions for newly planted landscaping and watering in fertilizers and pesticides are detailed at floridaswater.com/wateringrestrictions/restrictions.html.

Is the use of reclaimed water exempt from the restrictions?

The District’s restrictions allow the use of reclaimed water anytime. However, local governments are allowed to restrict the use of reclaimed water for their customers, so it is advisable to check with your local government to learn if a restriction applies.

How are the watering restrictions enforced?

Many local governments have passed, or are in the process of passing, watering restrictions ordinances that allow local enforcement of the St. Johns River Water Management District rule. Where there is not local enforcement, the District has a compliance program. District irrigation patrollers monitor for violations 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Does my city or county have an ordinance implementing the watering restrictions?

Visit floridaswater.com/wateringrestrictions/localordinances.html for a list of cities and counties that have adopted ordinances that fully implement the District’s restrictions.

What is the penalty for violating the watering restrictions?

On the first observed violation, a warning is issued, and the compliance team attempts to make personal contact with the property owner to inform him/her about the watering restrictions and answer any questions. The second observed residential violation incurs a $50 penalty, with subsequent violations increasing by $50 with each infraction. Nonresidential penalties are $100 for the first violation after a warning and increases by $50 for each subsequent violation.

Local governments that have adopted an ordinance may have a different penalty schedule.

How can I report an irrigation violation?

Contact information for local governments that have adopted watering restrictions ordinances is listed on the District’s website at floridaswater.com/wateringrestrictions/localordinances.html. In areas where no local ordinance has been adopted, violations can be reported to the District’s Irrigation Call Center at (800) 232-0904.

Are there watering restrictions for vegetable gardens?

Gardens are considered agricultural crops and irrigation may occur before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m., but irrigation is not subject to the day of the week restrictions. Irrigation using a hand-held hose, micro-spray, micro-jet, drip or bubbler irrigation system is allowed anytime.

Are athletic fields, nursery plants and cemeteries restricted by the day?

Like agricultural crops, these special use and special need areas are restricted to before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m., but irrigation is not subject to the day of week restrictions.

Why are residents and businesses asked to restrict lawn watering when the District recently approved a permit for a water bottler?

The total amount of groundwater (the primary source of water for public water supply, industry, agriculture and recreational water use) used in the District in 2006 was 1.6 billion gallons per day. The amount allocated for bottling plants represents approximately 1/10 of 1 percent of the groundwater used. The impact of irrigation on our total supply is profoundly greater than the impact of water bottling. Additional details about the water bottling permit and related issues are available at floridaswater.com/niagarabottlingpermit.