Starting Sunday, Nov. 3, Alachua County residents will be limited to watering landscapes just once a week. As you set your clocks back, remember to adjust your irrigation schedule, too.
New weekly irrigation schedule:
- Odd-numbered addresses — Saturday
- Even-numbered addresses — Sunday
- Non-residential/commercial (including common areas in subdivisions) — Tuesday
“Landscape irrigation accounts for nearly 60% of residential water use,” said Stacie Greco, the county’s water resources program manager for the Environmental Protection Department (EPD). “Reducing or stopping irrigation in winter helps conserve groundwater, which is essential for our springs, lakes and rivers.”
During winter, most plants go dormant and need little or no supplemental watering. In fact, many landscapes can thrive without irrigation throughout the season. The county recommends turning off irrigation systems or using them only as needed. These restrictions apply to private wells, city water, and surface water, though watering for vegetable gardens and fruit trees is exempt.
Report Water Waste Easily
To help protect our water resources, residents are encouraged to report water waste using the convenient tool on the MyYardOurWater.org page. This platform makes it simple to report issues from a phone or computer.
“Most people don’t realize their irrigation system may be malfunctioning or incorrectly timed,” said Eliana Bardi, a senior planner with EPD. “Reporting helps us educate residents and fix these issues, saving water and money.”
Upon receiving a report, the Water Conservation team will contact the responsible party with a friendly reminder about the rules. Eligible residents may also apply for assistance through the Irrigation Level-Up Program to improve system efficiency.
By irrigating responsibly, residents can reduce water bills and help preserve our water supply for springs and future generations.
For more on the irrigation restrictions, visit AlachuaCountyWater.org or contact Luke Sekula at 352-264-6822 or lsekula@alachuacounty.us.
