Winter Irrigation Limits Began November 1 for Alachua County

Winter Irrigation Rules for Alachua County Changed on November 1st

Winter Irrigation Rules in Alachua County have changed. Per the November 2015 Edition of the Alachua County Community Update Newsletter, the Alachua County Environmental Protection Department (EPD) wants to remind all Alachua county residents that beginning on Sunday, November 1, 2015 (end of Daylight Saving Time), landscape irrigation is limited to one day a week.

“On average, an irrigated yard in the Gainesville area uses 300 gallons of groundwater a day for a combined use of almost 5 million gallons of water per day,” said Alachua County Environmental Protection Department Water Conservation Coordinator Stacie Greco. She continued, “Minimizing watering promotes healthier lawns and landscapes while conserving Florida’s water resources. We depend on groundwater for our water supply, as do our springs, lakes, and rivers.”

County EPD wants residents to know that lawns need significantly less water in Florida’s winter months, and that many landscapes need very little or no irrigation during this time of year. The restrictions apply to the use of private wells, city water, and surface water. The use of a hand-held hose with a spray nozzle, micro-irrigation, and reclaimed water are exempt along with the irrigation of vegetable gardens and fruit trees.  So, check the restrictions and CHANGE your irrigation clocks & timers!

Below is the watering schedule for this region:

• Saturday at addresses with an odd number house or no house address
• Sunday at addresses with an even house number
• Tuesday for non-residential landscape irrigation (including residential common areas)
• No irrigation is allowed between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. (as this is when evaporation is the greatest)

Visit the EPD Water Resources website for information on conserving water and water restrictions.

Read the full Alachua County Community Update Here!