Public Utilities - Water Division

Watering Schedule

Modified watering schedule allows watering one day per week, before 8:00 a.m. and after 6 p.m. (except reclaimed).

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) enacted Phase III water shortage restrictions effective March 13, 2013.
The city’s new watering schedule allows lawn watering one day per week, before 8 a.m. and after 6 p.m. Reclaimed water can still be used on any day, before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m.
This schedule remains in effect until July 31, 2013.

All observed violations will be issued a citation.

Follow This Watering Schedule

Lawn & Landscape Watering - Using Drinking (Potable) Water, Private or Public Wells, Lakes, Ponds, or Other Sources (except Reclaimed)

Residential and commercial users may water their established lawns one day per week:

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

*New Hours*

• Watering should be done before 8 a.m. and after 6 p.m.

If using a hose and sprinkler, both times may be used, provided no area is watered twice.

The current watering restrictions remain in effect until July 31, 2013, for use of water from public and private utilities, wells, lakes, ponds, or any source except reclaimed. All observed violations will be issued a citation.

Lawn Watering - Using Reclaimed Water

All locations that use reclaimed resources to water lawns may continue to do so on any day, before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m. All observed violations will be issued a citation.

Landscape (non-lawn plants)

Plants and shrubs may be watered on any day, if needed, before 8 a.m. and after 6 p.m., by hand watering, low-volume irrigation devices, micro-irrigation, bubblers, soaker hoses, or drip tubing.

Sod Repairs & Replacements

The watering schedule for new construction and lawn replacement (sod, plugs, seeds, and other turf grass material) is for a 60-day period, before 8 a.m. and after 6 p.m.:

• Days   1 – 30, any day of the week; and
• 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.

According to the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD), the current watering restrictions remain in effect until July 31, 2013. All observed violations will be issued a citation.

Miscellaneous

Restaurants may serve water only upon request.

Residential vehicle washing is allowed once per week on the scheduled lawn watering day for the location, with a shut off nozzle.

Fundraiser events cannot be scheduled after the effective date of these restrictions, beginning March 13th.

Commercial car washes, including mobile detailing businesses, may operate on any day.

Emergency vehicles and other first responder vehicles may be washed on any day.

Boats may be rinsed and boat engines may be flushed after each use.

Fountains, waterfalls, and other water features may operate 4 hours per day with the hours posted.

Homeowners associations and other community standards enforcement entities must suspend any requirement to replace lawns, pressure wash or engage in other activity which increases water use during this water shortage declaration.

For recreation, other than athletic play areas such as golf, football, baseball, and athletic fields, all lawn and landscape areas must comply with the once-per week lawn watering schedule, unless reclaimed water is in use.

There are no changes to the Phase I restrictions currently in place for other water uses, including agricultural irrigation, golf course operations, industrial processes, or pressure washing activities.

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 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: Water Manager
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 Citizen Request Center to contact us online.
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 Citizen Request Center to contact us online.
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 "Water Restrictions - Report a Violation".

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