Watering Restrictions
Water Restriction Summary From The St. Johns River Water Management District
General Restrictions From The South Florida Water Management District
City and County Restrictions
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the purpose of the lawn and landscape irrigation rule?
A: Lawn and landscape irrigation can account for more than 50 percent of total water use at residential and commercial locations. The purpose of the rule is to ensure lawn and landscape irrigation efficiency to reduce overall water demand.
Q: What is required by the lawn and landscape irrigation rule?
A: Lawn and landscape irrigation is allowed before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m., with a few exceptions. This requirement has been in effect since 1991. Beginning March 1, 2006, lawn and landscape irrigation is limited to no more than two days a week, per zone. A few exceptions apply:
A contiguous property may be divided into different zones and each zone may be irrigated on different days than other zones of the property unless a local government adopts an ordinance identifying the specific two days irrigation is allowed. However, no single zone may be irrigated more than two days per week.
Q: To whom does the rule apply?
A: The rule is mandatory and applies to lawn and landscape irrigation within the St. Johns River Water Management District, regardless of whether the water comes from a private well, surface water, or a water supply utility. The rule applies to irrigation of lawns and landscapes that do not require a consumptive use permit (e.g., at homes, small nurseries, small golf courses, office buildings, and commercial businesses), and to irrigation of lawns and landscapes that do require a consumptive use permit (CUP).
Q: On which two days is lawn and landscape irrigation allowed?
A: You select the two days of the week you wish to irrigate, unless your local government adopts an ordinance specifying the days of the week irrigation is allowed in their jurisdiction. The rule provides individuals with the greatest degree of choice possible while ensuring efficiency in lawn and landscape irrigation. If a local government adopts an ordinance and specifies irrigation days, those days will be the same throughout the District. The irrigation days will be:Odd numbered addresses: Wednesdays and Saturdays Even numbered addresses or no address: Thursdays and Sundays It is completely optional for local governments to adopt such an ordinance. We expect local governments will wish to adopt an ordinance if water management and conservation have been significant local issues. Local governments have the responsibility to publicize any local ordinances and educate their residents about them.
Local Government Ordinances
Q: Does the rule apply to golf courses?
A: Most golf course water uses are regulated under a CUP. As such, golf courses must develop and implement strict water conservation plans, and monitor and measure their water use. Golf courses may only irrigate before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m. unless alternate irrigation hours are established in the permit. Under the rule, irrigation of the landscaped areas around the golf course club house or driveways is limited to two days a week, before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m., unless a CUP authorizes the use of water for landscape irrigation. In those instances, the permit conditions apply. As defined in the rule, lawn and landscape areas do not include golf course greens, tees, fairways or primary roughs. These areas can be watered as allowed by the permit.
Q: Does the rule apply to agriculture?
A: Most agricultural uses are regulated by a consumptive use permit. Each permit includes conditions which specify how much water can be used and when the water can be used. Irrigation is limited to before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m. unless alternate irrigation hours are established in the permit. The two-day-a-week limitation applies only to irrigation of landscape, not agricultural crops. Thus, agricultural operations in general are not affected by the two-day-a-week limitation, except in relation to irrigation of landscaping that may be around offices, along driveways, etc., unless a CUP authorizes the use of water for landscape irrigation.
Q: Does the rule apply to nurseries?
A: Most nursery uses are regulated by a consumptive use permit. Each permit includes conditions which specify how much water can be used and when the water can be used. Irrigation is limited to before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m. unless alternate irrigation hours are established in the permit. The two-day-a-week limitation applies only to irrigation of landscape, not the propagation of landscape plants for future sale. Thus, nursery operations in general are not affected by the two-day-a-week limitation, except in relation to irrigation of landscaping that may be around offices, along driveways, etc., unless a CUP authorizes the use of water for landscape irrigation.
Q: Does the rule apply to recreation areas such as soccer, baseball and football fields?
A: The rule limits irrigation of recreation areas to before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m. The rule limiting lawn and landscape irrigation to no more than two days per week does not apply to areas of intense recreation such as football, baseball and soccer fields or playgrounds. Due to the intensity of use, recreation areas require more water and are typically regulated by a CUP.
Q: Does the rule apply to the use of reclaimed water?
A: The rule does not apply to the use of reclaimed water. Reclaimed water is water that has already been used once for public supply. After treatment, it is recycled and made available for use once again, typically for irrigation. Currently, there are few storage options for reclaimed water so utilities face daily disposal problems. If the reclaimed water was not used for irrigation on a daily basis, it would likely be discharged into our wetlands and rivers, or injected underground, which could result in other water resource issues. Using reclaimed water for irrigation preserves higher quality groundwater for uses such as drinking and bathing. The District encourages and often requires the use of reclaimed water for irrigation.
Q: How does the rule save water?
A: Lawns and landscapes generally require less water than is applied. Sixty-five percent of water sprinkled on lawns during the hottest part of the day is lost to evaporation. When you water before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m., the water can seep into the ground, promoting healthy plants that establish deep root systems. Irrigating no more than two days a week should be adequate to maintain healthy lawns and landscapes. Reducing the frequency of irrigation will result in a water savings but the amount of water saved will vary from place to place. The amount of water saved will be dependent upon prior irrigation frequency. In a central Florida region studied after lawn and landscape irrigation was limited to no more than two days a week, water savings ranged from 15 to 20 percent. Permanent districtwide two-day-a-week water restrictions should extend and expand water savings for years.
Q: How is the rule enforced?
A: The primary emphasis is on education of the need to conserve water, and on lawn and landscape irrigation techniques that maintain healthy lawns. The District believes the conservation message is so compelling that enforcement should only be an occasional issue. In those local government jurisdictions where ordinances are adopted, the local governments are responsible for enforcing their own ordinances. In areas where no local government ordinance exists, the District follows up on complaints. Lack of compliance with the rule first results in a warning and then in monetary penalties.
Q: What are the monetary penalties for breaking the rule?
A: In those local government jurisdictions where ordinances are adopted, the local governments are responsible for enforcing their own ordinances. The monetary penalties for breaking the rule are in accordance with the local ordinance. In areas where no local government ordinance exists, the District follows up on complaints. Lack of compliance with the rule first results in a warning and then in monetary penalties. After receiving a warning, the monetary penalties are: Residential property1st violation: $50 penalty 2nd violation: $100 penalty
Commercial property1st violation: $100 penalty 2nd violation: $200 penalty
Q: What if additional lawn and landscape irrigation is needed?
A: A standard general permit is required to irrigate three days a week. To obtain a permit, applicants must demonstrate the need to irrigate three days a week, and submit a $50 application fee.FAQ Information Provided By: St. Johns River Water Management District
Water Restriction Summary From The St. Johns River Water Management DistrictGeneral Restrictions From The South Florida Water Management DistrictCity and County RestrictionsFrequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the purpose of the lawn and landscape irrigation rule?
A: Lawn and landscape irrigation can account for more than 50 percent of total water use at residential and commercial locations. The purpose of the rule is to ensure lawn and landscape irrigation efficiency to reduce overall water demand.
Q: What is required by the lawn and landscape irrigation rule?
A: Lawn and landscape irrigation is allowed before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m., with a few exceptions. This requirement has been in effect since 1991. Beginning March 1, 2006, lawn and landscape irrigation is limited to no more than two days a week, per zone. A few exceptions apply:
A contiguous property may be divided into different zones and each zone may be irrigated on different days than other zones of the property unless a local government adopts an ordinance identifying the specific two days irrigation is allowed. However, no single zone may be irrigated more than two days per week.
Q: To whom does the rule apply?
A: The rule is mandatory and applies to lawn and landscape irrigation within the St. Johns River Water Management District, regardless of whether the water comes from a private well, surface water, or a water supply utility. The rule applies to irrigation of lawns and landscapes that do not require a consumptive use permit (e.g., at homes, small nurseries, small golf courses, office buildings, and commercial businesses), and to irrigation of lawns and landscapes that do require a consumptive use permit (CUP).
Q: On which two days is lawn and landscape irrigation allowed?
A: You select the two days of the week you wish to irrigate, unless your local government adopts an ordinance specifying the days of the week irrigation is allowed in their jurisdiction. The rule provides individuals with the greatest degree of choice possible while ensuring efficiency in lawn and landscape irrigation. If a local government adopts an ordinance and specifies irrigation days, those days will be the same throughout the District. The irrigation days will be:
Local Government OrdinancesQ: Does the rule apply to golf courses?
A: Most golf course water uses are regulated under a CUP. As such, golf courses must develop and implement strict water conservation plans, and monitor and measure their water use. Golf courses may only irrigate before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m. unless alternate irrigation hours are established in the permit. Under the rule, irrigation of the landscaped areas around the golf course club house or driveways is limited to two days a week, before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m., unless a CUP authorizes the use of water for landscape irrigation. In those instances, the permit conditions apply. As defined in the rule, lawn and landscape areas do not include golf course greens, tees, fairways or primary roughs. These areas can be watered as allowed by the permit.
Q: Does the rule apply to agriculture?
A: Most agricultural uses are regulated by a consumptive use permit. Each permit includes conditions which specify how much water can be used and when the water can be used. Irrigation is limited to before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m. unless alternate irrigation hours are established in the permit. The two-day-a-week limitation applies only to irrigation of landscape, not agricultural crops. Thus, agricultural operations in general are not affected by the two-day-a-week limitation, except in relation to irrigation of landscaping that may be around offices, along driveways, etc., unless a CUP authorizes the use of water for landscape irrigation.
Q: Does the rule apply to nurseries?
A: Most nursery uses are regulated by a consumptive use permit. Each permit includes conditions which specify how much water can be used and when the water can be used. Irrigation is limited to before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m. unless alternate irrigation hours are established in the permit. The two-day-a-week limitation applies only to irrigation of landscape, not the propagation of landscape plants for future sale. Thus, nursery operations in general are not affected by the two-day-a-week limitation, except in relation to irrigation of landscaping that may be around offices, along driveways, etc., unless a CUP authorizes the use of water for landscape irrigation.
Q: Does the rule apply to recreation areas such as soccer, baseball and football fields?
A: The rule limits irrigation of recreation areas to before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m. The rule limiting lawn and landscape irrigation to no more than two days per week does not apply to areas of intense recreation such as football, baseball and soccer fields or playgrounds. Due to the intensity of use, recreation areas require more water and are typically regulated by a CUP.
Q: Does the rule apply to the use of reclaimed water?
A: The rule does not apply to the use of reclaimed water. Reclaimed water is water that has already been used once for public supply. After treatment, it is recycled and made available for use once again, typically for irrigation. Currently, there are few storage options for reclaimed water so utilities face daily disposal problems. If the reclaimed water was not used for irrigation on a daily basis, it would likely be discharged into our wetlands and rivers, or injected underground, which could result in other water resource issues. Using reclaimed water for irrigation preserves higher quality groundwater for uses such as drinking and bathing. The District encourages and often requires the use of reclaimed water for irrigation.
Q: How does the rule save water?
A: Lawns and landscapes generally require less water than is applied. Sixty-five percent of water sprinkled on lawns during the hottest part of the day is lost to evaporation. When you water before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m., the water can seep into the ground, promoting healthy plants that establish deep root systems. Irrigating no more than two days a week should be adequate to maintain healthy lawns and landscapes. Reducing the frequency of irrigation will result in a water savings but the amount of water saved will vary from place to place. The amount of water saved will be dependent upon prior irrigation frequency. In a central Florida region studied after lawn and landscape irrigation was limited to no more than two days a week, water savings ranged from 15 to 20 percent. Permanent districtwide two-day-a-week water restrictions should extend and expand water savings for years.
Q: How is the rule enforced?
A: The primary emphasis is on education of the need to conserve water, and on lawn and landscape irrigation techniques that maintain healthy lawns. The District believes the conservation message is so compelling that enforcement should only be an occasional issue. In those local government jurisdictions where ordinances are adopted, the local governments are responsible for enforcing their own ordinances. In areas where no local government ordinance exists, the District follows up on complaints. Lack of compliance with the rule first results in a warning and then in monetary penalties.
Q: What are the monetary penalties for breaking the rule?
A: In those local government jurisdictions where ordinances are adopted, the local governments are responsible for enforcing their own ordinances. The monetary penalties for breaking the rule are in accordance with the local ordinance. In areas where no local government ordinance exists, the District follows up on complaints. Lack of compliance with the rule first results in a warning and then in monetary penalties. After receiving a warning, the monetary penalties are: Residential property
Commercial property
Q: What if additional lawn and landscape irrigation is needed?
A: A standard general permit is required to irrigate three days a week. To obtain a permit, applicants must demonstrate the need to irrigate three days a week, and submit a $50 application fee.FAQ Information Provided By: St. Johns River Water Management District
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