County Outlines Watering Days Under One-Day-A-Week Restrictions

News Report

Bloomingdale-Riverview Patch homeowners may want to reset their sprinkler systems to accommodate the county's tightened water restrictions.

As of today, lawn watering is limited to once a week.

On May 10, the Southwest Florida Water Management District declared a Modified Phase II Water Shortage for the Tampa Bay area, including Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties. The declaration is in response to drier-than-normal conditions following last year’s below-average rainfall, which has caused low water levels throughout the district’s 16-county region.  

The new schedule for watering established lawns and landscaping throughout Hillsborough County:
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 (such as office complexes and shopping centers) – Fridays

All watering must be done before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m.

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.

Reclaimed water customers are exempt from the water restrictions, although these customers are encouraged to use only what they need.

Other highlights of the Modified Phase II Water Shortage 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. Days 31-60, watered approximately every other day – even-numbered addresses on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday; odd-numbered addresses on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. An irrigation system zone can only be watered if the new material comprises at least 50 percent of that zone.

• Vehicle washing – commercial car washes and fundraising car washes are allowed at any time. Individuals may wash vehicles once a week, on the designated watering day for the address.

• Pressure washing – allowed as needed for safety and other necessary purposes.

• 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, visit the county's website, call 813-275-7094 for a recorded message, or the Water Conservation Team at 813-272-5977, ext. 43991, during regular business hours.