Public Utilities - Water Division

Water Restrictions

Modified watering restrictions limit lawn watering to once per week.

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) voted to lift the Modified Phase III (or Extreme) restrictions for the Tampa Bay area because Tampa Bay Water has made substantial progress in reducing its groundwater withdrawals in recent months. The three-county area will now follow the District’s Modified Phase II (or Severe) water restrictions.

The drought, however, is not over. “The effects of our four-year drought can still be seen in our lakes, rivers and groundwater,” said Granville Kinsman, the District’s Hydrologic Data Manager. “Forecasters are predicting above-normal rainfall through mid-spring, which could improve conditions. However, if we don’t receive above-normal rainfall this winter, we can expect to see declines through May.”

All counties in the District are now following Modified Phase II restrictions, except Marion County, which follows the St. John’s River Water Management District’s year-round measures.

City watering restrictions still limit lawn watering to a once-per-week schedule and are limited to the hours of before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m. for properties less than one acre. The restrictions apply to potable and non-potable water sources.

These restrictions remain in effect until further notice; please keep in mind that restrictions may change periodically, so check back often.

Follow these Watering Restrictions

Lawn Watering - Using Drinking Water, Private or Public Wells, Lakes, Ponds, or Other Sources

Homeowners may water their lawns once per week for no more than eight hours a day for properties less than one acre, and for no longer than 14 hours for properties of more than one acre.

If your address (house number) ends in...
...Letters “A” through “M,” water only on Saturday
...Letters “N” through “Z,” water only on Sunday
...Even numbers, water only on Saturday
...Odd numbers, water only on Sunday
...Mixed or no address, water only on Sunday

*New Hours*

• Watering of existing lawns and landscaping (plants and shrubs) from all watering sources (except reclaimed) is permitted once per week as follows:
• Properties less than two acres - Before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m.
• Properties more than two acres - Before 8 a.m. and after 6 p.m.

The current watering restrictions remain in effect until further notice for use of water from public and private utilities, wells, lakes or ponds. All observed violations will be issued a citation.

Lawn Watering - Using Reclaimed Water

All locations that use reclaimed resources to water lawns may do so on any day, and there is no watering between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. on any day. All observed violations will be issued a citation.

Sod Repairs & Replacements

Watering restriction modifications have been made for sod additions and replacement. These modifications apply to both new construction and lawn replacement (sod, plugs, seeds, and other turf grass material). The changes include restricting the new construction and turf grass replacement establishment period to 60 days total.

• Days 1 - 30, any day of the week within allowable hours.
• Days 31 - 60, three days per week:
• Even-numbered addresses (or letters A-M) on Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday.
• Odd-numbered addresses (or letters N-Z), mixed, or no street address on Wednesday/Friday/Sunday.
• See existing lawns and landscape above for watering times according to the device used.

According to the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD), the current watering restrictions remain in effect until further notice. All observed violations will be issued a citation.

Plants & Shrubs

The watering of existing non-lawn landscaping may be done on any day, at any time by micro-irrigation

For new plants (other than lawns), watering may be done during the 60-day establishment period, according to this schedule:

• Days 1 - 30, any day of the week within allowable hours.
• Days 31 - 60, three days per week:
• Even-numbered addresses (or letters A-M) on Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday.
• Odd-numbered addresses (or letters N-Z), mixed, or no street address on Wednesday/Friday/Sunday.
• See existing lawns and landscape above for watering times according to the device used.

All observed violations will be issued a citation.

Fountains, Waterfalls, and Fish Ponds

Large aesthetic fountains, waterfalls, small indoor/outdoor fountains and other water features may operate eight (8) hours per day with hours of operation selected by the owner, and the hours must be posted. Small indoor and backyard fountains - including water circulation systems - may operate at any time.

Miscellaneous

Car Washing. Residential car washing is allowed and is limited to once per week on watering days according to the address of the location (see above). Use of a shutoff nozzle is required. Fundraiser events are allowed.

Fertilizers. Fertilizers should be watered in on your authorized watering day, during restricted hours.

Plant Chemicals. Insecticides, fungicides and herbicides may be watered in on an unauthorized day, but watering must be within authorized hours and limited to the minimum of watering necessary. Regular designated irrigation day and hours should be used when possible.

Hand Watering. Hand watering of lawns is restricted to designated times.

Water at Restaurants. Restaurants shall continue to serve water to patrons at will.

Water-Based Air Conditioning. Former restrictions no longer apply to water-based air conditioning.

Should I follow the City's or County's Watering Restrictions?

Watering restrictions are regulated by the municipality where the property is located. The Code Compliance division of Planning & Development regulates properties located in the City of Clearwater, and properties located in the County (or enclaves) are regulated by the ordinances of that jurisdiction, regardless of the source from where the water comes.

If you have questions, call the Code Compliance at (727) 562-4720.

Who Determines the Need for Watering Restrictions?

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) is the governing body for how the Tampa Bay region and outside areas will best manage its water resources. The City of Clearwater complies with all SWFWMD restrictions.

Created in response to the original water shortage restrictions imposed by SWFWMD, City of Clearwater Ordinance 7802-07 contains a provision giving the City Manager authority to alter the city’s watering restrictions contained in Code Section 32.153, upon declaration of changes by SWFWMD in accordance with SWFWMD’s administrative order.

Requests for Special Exemptions

If you would like to request special exemption from these rules, please fill out a request for variance form and mail it to the following address:

Public Utilities
Attn: Glenn Daniel
1650 N. Arcturas Ave., Bldg C
Clearwater, FL 33765

Contact Information

To Learn More About Watering Restrictions

Water Conservation Hotline
(727) 562-4987

Telephone
(727) 562-4960

E-mail
Use our Clearwater Task Request and Communications System (C-TRACS) to contact us.
You can now contact the City of Clearwater by selecting a category that best matches your concern. A ticket will be opened which will allow you to track your request online and view any steps taken to resolve the issue.

Address
Public Utilities Department
City of Clearwater
1650 N. Arcturas Avenue Building #C
Clearwater, FL 33765-1945

Hours
Office open Monday to Friday: 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

To Report a Possible Violation

Telephone
(727) 562-4720

E-mail
Use our Clearwater Task Request and Communications System (C-TRACS) to contact us.
You can now contact the City of Clearwater by selecting a category that best matches your concern. A ticket will be opened which will allow you to track your request online and view any steps taken to resolve the issue.
Select the category for "Code Enforcement" and select the "Miscellaneous Code Concern" category.

Address
Code Compliance Division of Planning & Development
City of Clearwater
100 S. Myrtle Ave.
Clearwater, FL 33756

Hours
Office open Monday to Friday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

To Contact SWFWMD

E-mail
Water.Restrictions@WaterMatters.org

Water Restriction Hotline
(800) 848-0499 (Florida only)

Telephone
(800) 423-1476, ext. 4498 (Florida only) or (352) 796-7211, ext. 4498

Address
Demand Management Section/RPM
Southwest Florida Water Management District
2379 Broad Street
Brooksville, FL 34604-6899