Apr 18, 2008 11:38 am US/Eastern
FAST FACTS: Modified Phase II Water Restrictions
Water Conservation Hotline: 800-662-8876
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
South Florida Under Phase 2 Water Restrictions, What Does That Mean To Me? Under Modified Phase II restrictions, which were put into place April 18th, 2008.
Residents of Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Monroe Counties can now water their lawns two days a week, rather than just the one day previously allowed.
Residents whose street addresses end in an odd number may irrigate lawns and landscapes on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 12:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. or 4:00 p.m. to 11:59 p.m
Residents whose street addresses end in an even number may irrigate lawns and landscapes on Thursdays and Sundays from 12:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. or 4:00 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
In Miami-Dade County however, the hours differ slightly. Due to a Miami-Dade County ordinance that prohibits lawn watering from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. the watering hours for Miami-Dade are as follows:
- 12:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. or 5:00 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. These hours are for Miami-Dade County only.
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.
• No restrictions apply to other outside water uses, such as for car and boat washing, pressure cleaning of paved surfaces, decorative fountains and water-based recreation (e.g. swimming pools, water slides).
Residents are encouraged to continue voluntarily saving water both inside and outside the home.
Click Here to learn about more ways to conserve water.
Do I Still Need To Conserve If It Rains?
Yes, rainfall in South Florida is usually very localized, sometimes raining on one side of the street and not on the other, or in one area, but not across a region. All areas in South Florida depend on the same interconnected system of ground and surface water, with Lake Okeechobee serving as the back up water supply.
What is the easiest way to conserve the most water?
Simply turn off your sprinklers. Lawn irrigation counts for about 50 percent of drinking water used in South Florida. Water only when your lawn shows signs of wilt and only when it has not rained.
Most people in South Florida water their lawns more than needed. In fact, frequent watering is ineffective especially for lawns, because it causes grass to develop shallow roots and become vulnerable to disease, pests, and daily dryout. During the fall/winter season, November through March, your lawn will need from an inch to an inch and a half of water every 5 – 7 days.
If I See Someone Not Complying With The Restrictions, Who Should I Call?
Residents are encouraged to report violators to the local code enforcement or law enforcement office.
Are There Any Long Range Plans By The SFWMD To Address Our Water Our Water Supply Problems In The Future?
Yes. The SFWMD is working with local communities to develop and fund alternative water supply sources. There are more than 7 million residents in South Florida which puts a serious strain on the region's water sources. Despite excellent freshwater sources, South Florida's water supply is not unlimited. Alternative water supply projects such as reverse osmosis, aquifer storage and recovery, and reclaimed water use, help to create new sources to meet the areas long term future needs.
Water Conservation Hotline(800) 662-8876Click Here for more conservation tips from the South Florida Water Management District.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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