Water Conservation Benefits Everyone

Water use restrictions

The City of Sarasota has adopted the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) water restrictions directly. SWFWMD District Water Restrictions

A current summary of SWFWMD:

• Lawn Watering Schedule and Times
• Lawn watering is limited to twice per week
• Lawn watering days and times are as follows 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.
  • Locations without a discernable address, such as rights-of-way and other common areas inside a subdivision, may water on Tuesday and/or Friday 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.

Fountains, 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 shutoff nozzle on their hose so water isn’t wasted.

Simple Water Conservation Practices:

• Do not dispose of water down the drain if there is another use for it, such as watering plants
• Verify that your home plumbing is leak free
• Repair your faucets by replacing washers. If your faucet is dripping at a rate of one drip per second, you could expect to waste 2,700 gallons of water per year
• Check toilet tanks for leaks by adding food coloring to the tank. If the toilet is leaking, color will appear in the toilet bowl within 30 minutes
• Take shorter showers and replace the shower head with ultra-low flow devices
• Operate dishwashers and clothes washers only when they are fully loaded
• Properly adjust sprinklers to avoid over spray into the gutter, sidewalks, or driveways
• Raise the lawn mower blade to 3 inches to cause grass roots to grow deeper where moisture is held by the soil longer
• Install an automatic rain shutoff device to avoid watering while it is raining.Collect rainwater in containers to use for watering your plants
• Install a drip or micro-spray system in your plant beds to use water more efficiently

 
SWFWMD water use restrictions actually help save water and MONEY!

• Water your lawn only when it needs it. To test if your lawn needs watering, step on the grass. If itsprings back up when you move, itdoesn't need water. If it lays flat, it needs watering
• When you do irrigate, a good soaking will help build deep healthy roots. Usually, 2/3 to 3/4 of an inch of water per session is sufficient
• Be careful not to over irrigate. Not only does itwaste water, but it also flushes nutrients (the fertilizer that you bought) out of the root zone and into the groundwater where itbecomes a pollutant
• Consider an irrigation meter. The City can install a meter to measure the amount of water you use for irrigation. You will pay for the water you use, but not for the wastewater charges for water used to irrigate. Costs for the installation of an irrigation meter vary according to the size required
• Install moisture controls, or rain sensors on your central irrigation system. These devices work with your irrigation controller to interrupt the irrigation timer if watering is not needed. An irrigation contractor or home improvement center will have product information
• Keep your irrigation system in good repair. Broken or misdirected sprinkler heads will waste a lot of water
   
  Florida Friendly Landscaping

Florida-Friendly Landscaping is a program that includes nine principles that protect natural resources. These principles can be obtained from www.floridayards.org. This website also provides a handbook that includes guidance for implementing these principles and a plant list.
 
Nine Principles of Florida-Friendly Landscaping

• Right Plant, Right Place
• Water Efficiently
• Fertilize Appropriately
• Mulch
• Attract Wildlife
• Manage Yard Pests Responsibly
• Recycle Yard Waste
• Reduce Stormwater Runoff
• Protect the Waterfront

For more information about water restrictions call 1-800-848-0499 or 1-813-985-7481 ext. 2298, during normal business hours. To learn more about how can conserve water, or visit www.WaterMatters.org/conservation.