If using an irrigation system, make sure you’re watering on the right days.
It may have been a wet weekend but Hillsborough County has only received 4.87 inches of rainfall in the first four months of the year, well-below its average rainfall of 10.93 inches.
With the lack of rainfall, Hillsborough County Water Resources is reminding residents to help conserve water and be mindful of lawn watering days and hours to avoid fines of up to $500.
All water users, whether in unincorporated Hillsborough County or the City of Plant City, are subject to year-round lawn watering restrictions that help to balance the demand and prevent low water pressure.
In unincorporated Hillsborough County, allowable watering days and hours for most water sources, uses and methods are limited to twice per week between midnight and 8 a.m. or 6 p.m. and midnight, as follows:
Street addresses ending in 0, 1, 2 or 3: Watering days are Mondays and/or Thursdays.
Street addresses ending in 4, 5 or 6: Watering days are Tuesdays and/or Fridays.
Street addresses ending in 7, 8 or 9: Watering days are Wednesdays and/or Saturdays.
Common areas with or without addresses, locations with no addresses and locations with mixed addresses (such as office complexes and shopping centers): Watering days are Wednesdays and/or Saturdays.
No watering is allowed on Sundays. Customers using reclaimed water may water on any day of the week, either before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m.
Hillsborough County Code Enforcement Officers are carrying out routine patrols to make sure residents are following the ordinance. Violations can result in a warning and even a fine of up to $500. Violations can be reported by calling Hillsborough County’s water violations reporting hotline at (813) 224-8993.
Within the corporate limits of Plant City, water users have to follow water use regulations. In Plant City, even-numbered addresses can water Thursdays and/or Sundays and odd-numbered addresses can water Wednesdays and/or Saturdays. Residents can water before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m. Customers using reclaimed water may water on any day, except between 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Violations can be reported by calling 813-757-9200.
The UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County Office offers free on-site and telephone irrigation evaluations for Hillsborough County residents. Extension staff can review rain or moisture sensors, irrigation system components and controller settings for property setup and functionality. They can also perform a “wet walk” of the property to identify irrigation inefficiencies, such as broken heads and misdirected sprays. Irrigation evaluations can be scheduled by contacting Paula Staples at (813) 744-5519, ext. 54142.
“We’re at the peak of our dry season and everyone is trying to keep their lawns in good shape,” said Hillsborough County Public Utilities Sustainable Water Resources Section Manager David Glicksberg. “It puts a lot of stress on the water system and public water supply.”
In addition to following watering restrictions, Glicksberg encourages residents to make adjustments to their irrigation systems based on the weather. “If it just rained and your watering day is the next day, maybe you don’t need to water, you can turn off your irrigation system for that day,” he said.
“It’s up to all of us to help conserve water and make sure we have an adequate water supply for generations to come,” said Glicksberg. “Every drop counts.”
Visit www.HCFLGov.net/WaterRestrictions or call 813- 663-3295 for more information.
