The Alachua County Environmental Protection Department (EPD) reminds County residents that landscape irrigation is limited to one day a week, beginning Sunday, November 3, 2019. The change in the watering schedule coincides with the end of daylight saving time.
“Landscape irrigation can account for almost 60% of residential water use,” said EPD Water Resources Program Manager Stacie Greco. “Eliminating or reducing your irrigation helps to conserve the precious groundwater supply we depend upon, which also provides water to our springs, lakes, and rivers.”
Lawns need significantly less water in Florida's winter months, and many landscapes survive the winter with little to no irrigation. For these reasons, turning off irrigation systems can save additional water and money.
Follow this schedule for watering yards:
- Saturday at addresses that end in an odd number or that have no house address
- Sunday at addresses ending in an even number
- Tuesday for nonresidential landscape irrigation (including residential common areas)
- No irrigation is allowed between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. (as this is when evaporation is the greatest)
The restrictions apply to the use of private wells, city water, and surface water. The use of a hand-held hose with a spray nozzle, micro-irrigation, and reclaimed water are exempt along with the irrigation of vegetable gardens and fruit trees. County staff actively enforces irrigation restrictions and responds to citizen complaints or concerns regarding wasteful watering.
Visit the EPD Water Resources website for additional water information.
For more information, contact Stacie Greco at 352-264-6829 or sgreco@alachuacounty.us.