Phase II Water Restrictions - Effective Saturday, March 26, 2011
(Users conducting landscape irrigation with reclaimed water are not restricted)
No irrigating on Mondays, Tuesdays, or Fridays
No irrigating between 8:00 a.m. and midnight
Landscape Irrigation – Established
ODD Numbered Addresses – Irrigation is limited to two days a week, Wednesday and Saturday, between 12:01 AM and 8:00 AM for all types of irrigation.
EVEN Numbered Addresses** – Irrigation is limited to two days a week Thursday and Sunday, between 12:01 AM and 8:00 AM for all types of irrigation.
** Includes even and odd addresses in the same irrigation zone - multi-family, HOA, and common areas with no address.
Any plant material may be watered using low volume irrigation, micro-irrigation, low volume hand watering methods, rain barrels, cisterns, or other similar rain harvesting devices without regard to the watering days and times allowed.
Landscape Irrigation – New (in place less than 60 days)
ALL Addresses – Five days a week, Monday through Friday, 12:01 AM to 8:00 AM for all types of irrigation; low volume hand watering allowed anytime. Irrigation is limited to targeted areas containing 50% or less new landscaping only. If new plantings consist of more than 50% of the area you may irrigate using zone irrigation for the new plantings in that zone.
Landscape Irrigation - Watering-in
ALL Addresses - Watering-in of fertilizers, insecticides, pesticides, fungicides, and herbicides, where recommended by the manufacturer, or by federal, state or local law or best management practices, shall be allowed under the following conditions:
a. Such watering-in shall be limited to one application unless the need for more than one is stated in the directions for application by the manufacturer
b. Such watering-in shall be accomplished during the normally allowable watering days and times as stated above.
Irrigation System Maintenance
Existing Systems – Ten minutes per zone per week; a person must be present and working on the system during each such operation.
Other Outdoor Water Uses
Other outdoor water uses, including car, truck, and boat washing, and the washing of exterior home surfaces and roofs, shall be allowed anytime with the use of Low Volume Pressure Cleaning Equipment, Low Volume Mobile Washing Equipment and/or water hose equipped with an automatic self-canceling or automatic shutoff nozzle. In all cases, the water used must drain to a pervious surface or to a water recycling/reuse system.
The Water Irrigation Ordinance of Collier County, ordinance number 2002-17, provides the guidelines for landscape irrigation and other outdoor water use for county residents and business. Click here to read the ordinance.
Questions regarding irrigation restrictions, please call Customer Service at 239-252-2380 or visit the South Florida Water Management District web site Water Shortage Watch.
WATER CONSERVATION TIPS
The average Floridian uses 175 gallons of water each day - about 65 more gallons per day than the average American. We must all realize that conservation is vital if there is going to be enough fresh water for future generations. Here are some easy ways to work water conservation into your every day routine. The gallon estimates are based on a typical two-person household. If there are more people in your home, make sure everyone does their part to conserve this precious natural resource.
Indoor Water Conservation
Install a low-flow toilet or tank water saving device and save as much as 5 gallons of water a day.
Install a low-flow showerhead and save as much as 86 gallons of water a day.
Install a sink aerator and save as much as 8 gallons of water a day.
Turn off the faucet while you brush your teeth and save 4 to 10 gallons of water a day.
Fix your leaky faucet and save as much as 7 gallons of water a day.
Only run your washing machine and dishwasher when they are full. You can save as much as 15 gallons per load for the dishwasher and 55 gallons per load for the washing machine.
Store drinking water in the refrigerator rather than letting the tap run every time you want a cool glass of water.
Do not use running water to thaw meat or other frozen foods. Defrost food overnight in the refrigerator or by using the defrost setting on your microwave.
Outdoor Water Conservation
Don't overwater your lawn. Lawns only need watering every 5 to 7 seven days in the summer, and every 10 to 14 days in the winter. A heavy rain eliminates the need for watering for up to 2 weeks. Buy a rain gauge. Most of the year, lawns only need 1 inch of water per week. Follow the South Florida Water Management District's current Phase II water restrictions.
Protect natural landscape moisture by cutting your grass at the highest setting (up to 3 inches) on your mower. Taller grass protects the root system by helping to shade it.
Rake or sweep driveways and sidewalks instead of hosing them off.
Build dikes around trees and shrubs to hold water.
Install irrigation devices that are the most water efficient for each use. Micro and drip irrigation and soaker hoses are examples of efficient devises.
Check sprinkler systems and timing devices regularly to be sure they operate properly. Florida law requires that "...anyone who purchases and installs an automatic lawn sprinkler system MUST install a rain sensor device or switch which will override the irrigation cycle when adequate rainfall has occurred."