Water Restrictions: All You Need to Know For Your Area

At Estate Landscaping, one of the primary services we offer is irrigation. We do this because we know how integral water is to your landscape, acting as a vital nutrient in the healthy growth of any plant material. This is also important in Florida specifically because of the heat in the summertime. Drought is not uncommon, and thus water must be conserved. The problem has become so severe that local governments have put out enforced restrictions to ensure conservation is observed. This is in an effort to increase landscape sustainability, the same reason we push for the installation of native plants as they require less watering. These regulations can be hard to navigate, so we are going to overview the guidelines for Lee County, where a majority of our clients reside.

Unrestricted Watering

Before we discuss the restricted usage of water, we must note the few ways in which water can be used anytime. If the water you are using is reclaimed, rain harvested, or acquired through a low-volume method like container or hand watering, you can water anytime. Additionally, pressure washing is allowed at all times, as well as the washing of vehicles and boats. However, you must be conscientious of where your water flows, avoiding soil or grass. New plantings of both flowers and turf may also be watered once with no regard for day or time.

Lawn Watering

If you live in Lee County, you must abide by the approved irrigation times laid out according to the last digit of your address. If your address ends in an odd number (1,3,5,7,9) then you are approved to water your lawn on Wednesdays and Saturdays, from midnight to 9 a.m, and 5 p.m to midnight. Likewise, if your address ends in an even number (0,2,4,6,8) then you are approved to water your lawn on Thursdays and Sundays from midnight to 9 a.m, and 5 p.m to midnight. No irrigation is permitted by anyone from 9 a.m to 5 p.m, or on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays. If you see someone violating these restrictions, you can report to natural resources, and be aware you could be reported if guidelines are not followed.

Installation of New Landscaping

As we mentioned before, the installation of new landscaping allows for one free day of watering at any time on the day of installation. For the first 30 days after installation, you may water on any day of the week besides Friday, before 9 a.m or after 5 p.m. For the next 30 days, up until the 60-day mark post-installation, you may water Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday, still only before 9 a.m and after 5 p.m in the evening. If this new landscaping takes up more than 50 percent of an irrigation zone, you may water the entire zone in accordance with these restrictions.

General Recommendations

Although we could lay out all of the recommendations that Southwest Florida provides for residents, they probably do it better. Check out their recommendations here to find out how you can increase your landscape sustainability.

For more information on how Estate Landscaping can take care of your landscaping needs, visit our website, give us a call at (239) 498-1187, or send us an email at info@estatelandscaping.com.