South Florida Water Management District eases water restrictions for Monroe County beginning April 11, 2008

In response to improved "regional water resource conditions," the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) modified emergency water restrictions on Friday, April 11, 2008 across most of the agency's 16-county region, including the Florida Keys.

The agency now says residential landscape irrigation can be done twice a week instead of the previous once a week.

Increased rain and more conservation is the reason for easing the restrictions.  The modified mandatory restrictions apply to all water from traditional sources, including water from public utilities, private wells, canals, ponds, and lakes.

In the Keys, the irrigation scheduled has "watering windows:"

  • Odd street addresses may water lawns and landscapes on Wednesdays and Saturdays  from midnight to 10 a.m. and/or 4 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.

  • Even street addresses may water lawns and landscapes on Thursdays and Sundays, the same hours as above.

  • Hand-watering with one hose fitted with an automatic shut-off nozzle is allowed for 10 minutes per day for landscape stress relief and to prevent plant die-off.

  • Low-volume irrigation, including the use of drip and microjet systems that apply water directly to plant root zones, is not restricted but should be voluntarily reduced.

  • Additional watering days and times will be allocated for the establishment of new lawns and landscapes.

  • No restrictions apply to other outside water uses, such as car and boat washing, using low-volume pressure cleaners on paved surfaces, decorative fountains and water-based recreation such as swimming pools and waterslides.  When washing a car or boat, park it over a non-paved surface to limit runoff and use a hose with an automatic shut-off nozzle.  Limit boat rinsing to 15 minutes after it has been in salt water.  Use pressure washing equipment with a flow rate of 1,000 to 4,000 pounds per square inch (psi).  Decorative fountains may run anytime if they re-circulate water and do not spray water out of the fountain basin.

For additional information on the water shortage, irrigation restrictions or water conservations, call the SFWMD's toll-free Water Conservation Hotline at 800-662-8876, visit www.sfwmd.gov or contact a regional service center.  Helpful water conservation tips are also available at www.savewaterfl.com.

Indoor Water-saving Tips

You can do your part to conserve water by following the suggestions below:

KITCHEN

Sink

  • Install an instant water heater instead of letting it run until hot.
  • Keep water bottle in fridge, rather than running tap until cold.
  • Avoid using water-softening systems.

Dishes

  • Let soak, rather than scraping with water running.
  • Fill one sink to wash, one to rinse.
  • Designate one glass each day for your drinking water.
  • Run dishwasher only when fully loaded.

Cooking

  • Thaw food in refrigerator overnight or defrost in microwave, not under running water.
  • Cook food in as little water and pot/pan as possible.
  • Don't use garbage disposal; compost instead.

BATHROOM

Toilet

  • If food coloring seeps from tank to bowl in 30 minutes, you have a leak.
  • Don't use toilet as a trash can.  Toss debris like tissues, insects, etc.
  • Put water displacement device in tank.
  • Do not leave water running while brushing your teeth, shaving, or soaping hands.

Tub/Shower

  • Limit your showers to 5 minutes.  Turn water off when soaping your body and applying shampoo.
  • If shower fills one-gallon bucket in 20 seconds, replace with one that uses 2.5 gallons per minute.
  • Bathe younger children together.

PLANTS

Click here to see a "Water Conservation Slide Show" by Kim Gabel.

 

Other Links

Landscape irrigation is permitted twice a week.