Watering Restrictions

Water Resources
3600 W. Sovereign Path
Suite 202
Lecanto, Fl. 34461

Office: (352) 527-7669
Fax: (352) 527-5429
waterconservation@bocc.citrus.fl.us

Water Restriction Hotline:
1-800-848-0499 (Florida only)
Watering Restrictions - SWFWMD

Watering changes for Citrus County starting March 10th

Five counties within the Southwest Florida Water Management District's 16-county region are now under a Modified Phase III water shortage order due to below normal rainfall this winter.

Starting March 10, residents of Citrus County must limit their lawn watering to once a week under new restrictions approved Tuesday by the Southwest Florida Water Management District.

Forecasters say the dry spell that the region has been caught in for the past four months is likely to continue at least through May, and the lakes, streams and aquifer are all showing the effects, according to officials with the Southwest Florida Water Management District.

The new watering restrictions, known as Phase III, will cover Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Levy and Sumter counties. The change in the restrictions was approved by unanimous vote.

Read what was in your March monthly statement

Year-Round Water Conservation Measures

Water Enforcement Ordinance

Water Shortage Order - (Full version)

Modified Phase III (Extreme)
Water Shortage Restrictions

Effective Dates and Affected Areas

• Modified Phase III water shortage restrictions are scheduled to begin on March 10, 2012 and expire on June 30, 2012.
• The restrictions affect Hernando, Citrus, Sumter, Lake and Levy counties as well as the City of Dunnellon and The Villages in Marion County.

Lawn Watering Schedule and Times

• Lawn watering is limited to a once-per-week schedule. The following is a schedule and summary of the restrictions unless your city or county has a different once-per-week schedule or more stringent restrictions.

• Unless your city or county already has stricter hours in effect, the allowable watering hours are before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m. regardless of property size.

Landscape Watering Schedule and Times

• Handwatering and microirrigation of plants (other than lawns) can be done on any day, but is limited to the hours of before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m.

New Lawns & Plants

• New lawns and plants have a 60-day establishment period. On days 1-30, they may be watered any day of the week. During days 31-60, they may be watered approximately every other day. Even-numbered addresses may water on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. Odd-numbered addresses may be watered on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
• Citrus County asks that you Call Before You Install new plant material so that you can be added to a new plant material database and avoid possible watering violations.  Call (352) 527-7669 or email us at WaterConservation@bocc.citrus.fl.us

Fountains

• Fountains and other aesthetic water features may only operate four hours per day. The regular hours of operation can be selected by the owner, but must be posted (see list of exemptions such as water features that also provide aerification to koi ponds at WaterMatters.org/).

Car Washing

• Car washing is limited to once per week on the designated watering day for the location.
• Fundraiser and commercial car washes, including mobile detailing businesses, may still operate on any day.
• Emergency and other first responder vehicles may still be washed on any day as needed.

Pressure Washing

• Pressure washing is allowed for necessary purposes such as prior to painting or sealing, in order to maintain a paint or material warranty, to address a health or safety hazard and to comply with health laws.
• Aesthetic concerns, even those raised by an HOA in accordance with its deed restrictions, do not constitute a "necessary" purpose.

Water Utilities and Other Local Enforcement Agencies

• Use automatic meter reading or weekly night patrols to monitor compliance where restriction violations or high-use single family residential accounts are concentrated.
• Issue citations without needing to have first issued a warning.

Other Water Utility Responsibilities
(Does not apply to water utilities who are allowed to withdraw less than 100,000 gallons per day)

Utilities must:

• Provide a concise monthly system status report, including enforcement.
• Continue implementing customer messaging and other water conservation efforts.
• Plan for supplementation of potable supplies, including coordination with the District and other agencies as appropriate.
• Notify the District within 24 hours if the public supply system experiences a significant change in status.

Other Water Uses

• Restaurants shall only serve water upon request.
• Agricultural operations, commercial establishments, golf courses and industrial facilities must also comply with applicable best management practices listed in the Water Shortage Order.