Irrigation
Restrictions apply to all traditional sources of water – from a utility, a private well or withdrawals from a canal, lake or pond.

All Property Sizes:
Landscape irrigation for all property types and sizes is allowed two days a week on this schedule:

ODD-number address: Wednesday and Saturday – 12 a.m. to 10 a.m. AND/OR 4 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.

EVEN-number address: Thursday and Sunday – 12 a.m. to 10 a.m. AND/OR 4 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.

For the most efficient use of water, avoid irrigating during both time periods on the same day. Most lawns need only 3/4 to 1 inch of water per week.

Watering is not allowed between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Low-volume systems such as drip, bubble and micro-jet systems that apply water directly to root plant zones may be used any time.

Hand Watering
For stressed plants, 10 minutes per day on any day using a single hose with an attached automatic shut-off nozzle.

Fertilizer and Pesticide Water-In and Irrigation System Repair
Allowed during normally allowable watering days and times unless a professional licensed applicator has posted a temporary sign containing the date of application and the date(s) of needed watering-in activity.

Irrigation System Repair
Allowed during restricted days and times for cleaning, testing, maintenance and repair no more than once per week and run time should not exceed 10 minutes per zone. An attendant must be on site in the area being tested and/or repaired.

Vehicle Washing, Pressure Washing, Decorative Fountains and All Other Outdoor Water Uses
Allowed anytime; however, voluntary conservation is encouraged.

Variances
You may apply for a variance from water restrictions. The application form and instructions are online at www.sfwmd.gov.For more information about variances, call (800) 432-2045.

COMMERCIAL WATER-USE RESTRICTIONS

South Florida Water Management District permitted water users – large water users such as golf courses, nurseries, agriculture and recreation areas – are required to achieve a 30% reduction in their overall water consumption. Permit holders report usage weekly to the South Florida Water Management District.

Golf Courses
Golf courses must reduce their allocated water use by 30%. They are not restricted to watering at certain days or times. Where possible, golf courses should limit watering to early mornings or evenings to reduce water loss through evaporation. Golf courses using 100% reuse or reclaimed water for irrigation are exempt from water restrictions. Permit holders must report their weekly water usage at www.sfwmd.gov/conserve.

Agriculture

Agricultural water users may not use overhead irrigation systems from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Stress reduction watering for field-grown citrus nursery stock is allowed daily for 10 minutes per irrigation zone from 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., and from 1:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. Hand-watering and low-volume irrigation should be voluntarily reduced.

Water withdrawals from the C-23, C-24 and C-25 canals in Martin and St. Lucie counties will stop if those canals drop to 14 feet above sea level.

Plant Nurseries

Nursery owners may operate overhead irrigation systems seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. for inside plants, and from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. AND/OR 3 a.m. to 9 a.m. for outside or shaded plants. Stress reduction watering for containerized stock is permitted from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for 10 minutes per irrigation zone. Hand-watering should be voluntarily reduced.

No irrigation is allowed on days with sufficient rainfall. Users shall install a rainfall cut-off switch or similar measuring device to determine when there has been enough rain to meet irrigation demands.

Tennis Courts, Sports Turf and Other Athletic Facilities

Sports turf can be watered for a maximum of 20 minutes anytime between 11 p.m. on the preceding day to 8 a.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. For example: watering can occur between 11:30 p.m. and 11:50 p.m. on Monday night, or from 7 a.m. to 7:20 a.m. on Tuesday morning.

Infields can be watered twice daily, once before 9 a.m. and once after 4 p.m. for up to 10 minutes.

Sprigged or seeded turf areas can be watered for 10 minutes per zone from 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., 1:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 4 p.m., for the first 60 days after planting.

Clay or Har-Tru tennis courts may be watered for up to 10 minutes daily once before 3 p.m. and once before midnight.

Equestrian riding rings may be watered three times per week for up to 20 minutes each day. Facilities must post signs indicating which days have been designated for irrigation.

No irrigation is permitted when adequate rainfall has occurred. Surrounding facilities and landscaping must be irrigated according to standard landscape irrigation water restrictions.

Water Utility Line Flushing

Utility water line disinfection and flushing may be done as needed for public health and safety purposes. The utility should divert the water to a pervious area and not allow it to flow into roadways or to collect on impervious surfaces. The utility is required to post a sign at any flushing location informing the public of the health and safety purpose and indicating that the action is in compliance with water-use restrictions.

Variances

You may apply for a variance from water restrictions. The application form and instructions are online at www.sfwmd.gov.

For more information about variances, call (800) 432-2045.