Hillsborough County Lawn Watering Restrictions Return To One Day A Week, Effective March 13
Effective March 13, tighter water restrictions will be in effect in Hillsborough County. That includes limiting lawn watering to once a week.
The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Governing Board enacted the tighter restrictions in Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties due to below normal rainfall, reduced river levels and increasing water supply concerns.
The tighter restrictions apply to all residents – not just customers of public utilities – and most water sources. That includes private wells, and ponds or lakes that are used as alternate irrigation supplies.
Beginning March 13, the new schedule for watering established lawns and landscaping in unincorporated Hillsborough County, as well as the City of Tampa, is:
- Addresses ending in 0 or 1 – Mondays
- Addresses ending in 2 or 3 – Tuesdays
- Addresses ending in 4 or 5 – Wednesdays
- Addresses ending in 6 or 7 – Thursdays
- Addresses ending in 8 or 9, locations with no address, and locations with mixed addresses (i.e., office complexes and shopping centers) – Fridays
All watering must be done before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m.
Reclaimed water customers are exempt from the water restrictions, although these customers are encouraged to use only what they need.
Other highlights of the new restrictions include:
- Hand-watering – Residents may hand-water plants and shrubs, or use a drip irrigation system in landscaping beds, on any day – but only before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m.
- New sod and landscaping – Days 1-30, may be watered any day, before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m. Days 31-60, watered three days a week before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m.: even-numbered addresses on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday; odd-numbered addresses on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday; and common areas, mixed addresses and locations with no address on Sunday, Tuesday and Friday. An irrigation system zone can only be watered if the new material comprises at least 50 percent of that zone.
- Vehicle washing – Residents may wash vehicles once a week, on the designated watering day for the address. Commercial car washes, including mobile detailing businesses, may still operate. Fundraising car washes are not allowed.
- Pressure washing – allowed once a year for aesthetic purposes. Pressure washing for necessary purposes such as before painting or for health and safety reasons, is allowed as needed.
- Decorative fountains – limited to four hours a day.
- Homeowners associations – cannot require pressure washing, lawn replacement or other activities requiring additional water use.
The tighter restrictions are in place until at least July 31.
For complete information on these and other restrictions in unincorporated Hillsborough County – as well as links to information from the cities of Tampa, Plant City and Temple Terrace – visit www.hillsboroughcounty.org/water. Or, call 813-275-7094 for a recorded message, or the Water Conservation Team at 813-272-5977, ext. 43991, during regular business hours.
Time Change Serves as Reminder to Check Your Irrigation Timer and System
The Southwest Florida Water Management District is reminding residents to check the timers on their irrigation system controllers this weekend, which is the beginning of Daylight Savings Time.
Saturday night we will “spring forward,” and turn our clocks ahead one hour. The time change is also a good time to make sure your irrigation system timer is set correctly to ensure your system operates consistently with current water restrictions.
Know and follow your local watering restrictions, but don’t water just because it’s your day. Irrigate your lawn when it shows signs of stress from lack of water. Pay attention to signs of stressed grass, such as a bluish-gray color, lingering tire tracks or footprints and leaf blades that are folded in half lengthwise.
If there is ever a Hillsborough County issue we can assist you with, please feel free to contact me or my commission staff at 813-272-5452.
Craig Jewesak [email protected]
Eric Johnson [email protected]
For additional information about County Commissioner Victor Crist you can visit www.commissionervictorcrist.com.
601 East Kennedy Blvd., 2nd Floor
Tampa, Florida 33601
(813) 272-5452