City Watering Restrictions Relaxed to a Modified Phase III Status

8/31/2009 4:44:34 PM

Contact: Public Utilities, (727) 562-4960

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Aug. 31, 2009

Contact:

Heather Shell Parsons

(727) 562-4708

City Watering Restrictions Relaxed to a Modified Phase III Status

Clearwater, Fla. – The Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) voted to extend water restrictions with some modifications in response to the lingering drought conditions in our region. Because of the amount of rain the SWFWMD territory has received lately, the water authority temporarily voted to relax watering restrictions to a modified Phase III status.

City watering restrictions still limit lawn and plant watering to one day per week for all watering sources (except reclaimed water), with time restrictions depending upon property size and the type of watering device used. City of Clearwater Utilities customers must observe the following:

• Reclaimed water can be used any day of the week, but not from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• Watering of existing lawns and landscaping (plants and shrubs) from all watering sources (except reclaimed) is limited to once per week as follows:

o Saturday - Addresses ending in even numbers or letters A through M

o Sunday - Addresses ending in odd numbers, letters N through Z, mixed, or no street address

? Before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m. - Properties less than two acres (most homes)

? Before 8 a.m. and after 6 p.m. - Properties more than two acres

o Sprinkling cans, hand-held hose equipped with automatic shut-off nozzle, or low-volume irrigation devices like drip tubing and micro bubblers can be used before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m. for properties of any size.

• 30-day establishment period for new plant material for lawns (sod, plugs, seeds, and other forms of turf grass):

o Days 1 – 15, any day of the week.

o Days 16 – 30, 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.

• 60-day establishment period for new plants (non-lawn):

o Days 1 – 15, any day of the week.

o 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.

• Residential car washing is allowed once per week on your scheduled lawn watering day; use of shutoff nozzle is required. Fundraiser events are allowed.

• Pressure washing is allowed for necessary purposes such as before painting/sealing, to maintain a paint or material warranty, and to address health or safety hazards according to law. Aesthetic concerns, even those raised by homeowner association in accordance with deed restrictions, do not constitute as a “necessary purpose.”

• Aesthetic fountains, waterfalls, and other water features may operate four hours per day with hours of operation selected by the owner and posted. Indoor and backyard fountains may operate eight hours per day.

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

• 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.

• Restaurants shall continue to serve water upon request only.

• Restrictions no longer apply to water-based air conditioning units.

The Community Response Team is conducting inspections day and night to ensure residents are complying with the city’s watering restrictions. A citation will be issued for all observed violations. To report a possible violation, residents should call (727) 562-4720.

For a complete list of City of Clearwater watering restrictions, visit www.MyClearwater.com/watering. To learn other ways to conserve water, visit www.MyClearwater.com/Green.

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