Compromise reached on sod restrictions

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

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BAY AREA (Bay News 9) -- The Southwest Florida Water Management District backed off a ban on replacement sod in Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco counties Tuesday.

In a news release Richard Owen, Southwest Florida Water Management District deputy executive director, said the Bay area is experiencing both an "extreme water shortage" and a "dramatic downturn in the economy."

Owen continued by saying the district "met with the sod industry and believe we've come up with a solution that will continue to save water while allowing the sod industry to remain in business."

More Information

Under the new rules, residents can water new and replacement turfgrass every day for the first 15 days. During the last 15 days homes with even-numbered addresses can water turfgrass on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Homes with odd-numbered addresses can water on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

The restrictions are necessary given the extreme lows in water supply. Tampa Bay Water requested the Southwest Florida Water Management District's assistance because its water supplies have not returned to pre-drought conditions.

Other restrictions

In addition to continuing to restrict lawn watering to one-day-per-week, the tightened restrictions continue to include the following for Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties:

Reducing the 60-day allowance for new plant (non-sod) establishment. During days 31-60, plants and shrubs may be watered three days per week. Unless otherwise specified by a local ordinance, even-numbered addresses may water on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Odd-numbered addresses may be water on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday.

Reducing the time aesthetic fountains and waterfalls may operate from eight hours to four hours per day.

Restricting the time for hand-watering or micro-irrigation for non-lawn landscaping to before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m.

Requiring water utilities and other local enforcement officials to increase their enforcement efforts, including requirements to respond to citizen complaints and issue citations without having first issued a warning.

One-day-per-week watering restrictions remain in effect for the District's entire 16-county region. Residents should check with their local government or water utility for their designated watering day.

Unless your city or county has stricter hours in effect, properties under two acres in size may only water before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m.

Variances are available if a property proposes an acceptable alternative irrigation plan (such as splitting a large property into two pieces and assigning a different day to each piece).

Water utilities are required to promote water conservation, conduct a system water audit, and take action based on the results of the audit.

Water utilities and other local enforcement officials must respond to District referrals and regularly report enforcement activity.

Phase II restrictions continue to apply to other water uses, such as agricultural and industrial activities.

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