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Puzzled about the new
rules?
Click Here for the latest watering rules.
New
law allows all residents to install Florida-friendly landscaping
A new law signed by Gov. Charlie Crist
promotes the installation of Florida-friendly landscaping.
The law states that homeowners associations (HOAs) may not
prohibit a homeowner from applying Florida-friendly
landscaping to their property or create any requirement or
limitation in conflict with state law.
Florida-friendly landscaping emphasizes nine
easy-to-accomplish principles that, when practiced, can have
a significant positive impact on yards and the environment.
The concept was developed by the University of Florida’s
Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences for the
Florida Yards & Neighborhoods program.
By
following Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ practices,
homeowners use a low-maintenance approach to landscaping
that conserves water. Homeowners also spend less time
maintaining their lawns and more time enjoying them.
“Because homeowners can no longer be prohibited from
following Florida-friendly landscaping practices, they will
have more freedom to choose the type of plants and turf that
are right for their property,” said Sylvia Durell,
Florida-friendly landscaping project manager. “This is a
great opportunity for homeowners to get know their yard’s
sun, soil and moisture conditions and put the right plant in
the right place.”
The
law, which goes into effect today, also states that HOAs may
not fine homeowners for brown lawns when the homeowner is
abiding by water shortage rules such as the District’s water
shortage orders that restrict residents to watering their
lawns one day per week.
For additional information about water
restrictions, water conservation and the drought, please
contact your local utility or visit the District's web site
at
www.WaterMatters.org/drought/.
To learn more about Florida-friendly
landscaping, please visit
www.WaterMatters.org/yards
or
www.FloridaYards.org.
About
Micro-Irrigation
Micro-irrigation
includes all methods of frequent water application,
in small flow rates, on or below the soil surface,
such as “drip,” “trickle” and “spray” irrigation.
Ideally, water is applied directly to the root area
in quantities that better parallel the consumptive
use of the plants. Through good management of
micro-irrigation systems, the moisture of the root
zone can be maintained near field capacity
throughout the season for optimal plant growth. In
addition, nutrient levels applied with water through
the system can be controlled precisely.
Micro-irrigation
requires less water compared with other irrigation
methods. This is due to irrigation of a smaller
portion of the soil volume, decreased evaporation
from the soil surface, and the reduction or
elimination of the runoff.
In addition, since
the rate of water application in micro-irrigation
systems is much lower than in other systems, smaller
sources of water can be used for irrigation of the
same acreage. The delivery pipes, pumps and other
components of the system can be smaller and
therefore more economical. The systems operate under
low pressure and require less energy for pumping
than high-pressure systems.
Know Your Source, Know Your Rules:
Please take the time to review
the necessary information for your residence, so
that you don't incur water fines. Please note:
Hillsborough County will be issuing watering fines,
there will be no warnings issued.
Also keep in mind that
the neighbors around you may have a different source
of water than you do.
Here are the
highlights:
Hillsborough County Water
Resource Services customers - Tighter restrictions
on lawn watering, hand watering and drip irrigation.
Decorative fountains are prohibited. Car washing is
prohibited unless done at a commercial car wash.
Charity car washes are prohibited. Pressure washing
by a commercial company is allowed for health and
safety reasons or in preparation for painting.
Residents of unincorporated Hillsborough County who
get their water from private wells, or who use wells
or another alternative (such as a pond) to irrigate
their lawns- Longer periods of time are allowed for
watering. Car washing is allowed. Pressure washing
is allowed for health and safety reasons and in
preparation for painting. Decorative fountains are
allowed four hours a day.
Residents of unincorporated Hillsborough County who
receive their water from the City of Tampa - Follow
City of Tampa restrictions, which prohibit watering
with sprinklers.
Residents who still have questions after reading the
online information may contact the Water
Conservation Team by writing
info@hillsboroughcounty.org,
or call 813-274-6800 during regular business hours.
District asks
homeowners to "Skip a week" of irrigation in cooler weather
In an effort to
conserve water during the ongoing drought, the Southwest Florida
Water Management District is encouraging residents who irrigate
their lawns to "skip a week" during the cooler months of January
and February.
According
to research by the University of Florida, grass doesn't need to
be watered as often during the cooler months. In fact,
three-quarters of an inch of water every 10–14 days is
sufficient.
“The
cooler months are a good time to train lawns to need less
water," said Sylvia Durell, Florida-friendly landscaping project
manager. “Using less water will encourage deeper grass and plant
roots, which makes them more drought-tolerant."
Over-watering can also encourage disease and pests.
Homeowners
can determine when their grass needs water when:
·
Grass blades are folded in half on 30 percent of the lawn
·
Grass blades are blue-gray
·
A footprint remains on the lawn for several
minutes after walking on it
The
region is experiencing the effects of a three-year drought and
October through May is Florida’s dry season. All 16 counties
within the District are under one-day-per-week lawn watering
restrictions through Feb. 27, 2009. In addition, tightened
restrictions are currently in affect for all of Hillsborough,
Pasco and Pinellas counties through June 30, 2009.
Skipping
a week of irrigation will help conserve drinking water supplies.
Following this skip-a-week plan saves water that the public
needs for other critical uses during the dry season.
For more
water conservation tips, information about the drought and the
current water restrictions, please visit the District's web site
at
www.WaterMatters.org/drought
| OUTDOOR WATER USE RESTRICTIONS IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY AND IN THE
CITY OF TAMPA WATER SERVICE AREA IN UNINCORPORATED AREA.
Reclaimed Wastewater
The use of reclaimed wastewater is not restricted, however its use
must not be wasteful and unnecessary.
Irrigation System Maintenance
Irrigation systems may be operated during
restricted hours for
cleaning and maintenance purposes, limited to ten
minutes/zone/week. An attendant must remain visibly on site during
the entire maintenance operation.
Hand Watering
Hand watering of plant materials other than lawns and grass is
not
restricted, however such use may not be wasteful and unnecessary.
Hand watering of lawns and grass may only occur during the designated
day and time for irrigation of established lawns and landscaping at that
address.
Chemical Treatment
The exemption for watering in of insecticides, fungicides,
herbicides, pesticides and fertilizers as provided for in the Southwest
Florida Water Management District's Water Shortage Rules is only
applicable to the application of the above referenced products by a
professional in the business of applying such products for remuneration,
and only if a dated advisory marker is placed in the landscape.
Watering in of such products applied by someone other than a
professional as herein stated is restricted to the designated day and
time for irrigation of established lawns and landscaping for that
address.
Car Washing
Fund raising car washes are prohibited unless conducted at the
premises of a commercial car washing facility that recycles it's water
on site, and only if the water used in the fund raising operation is
recycled through that facility's operations. Vehicle washing
otherwise is not restricted except that an automatic shut-off nozzle
must be attached to the hose at all times.
Pressure Washing
Pressure washing is defined as a minimum of 1,000 pounds per square
inch (psi) at a maximum five (5) gallons per minutes. Pressure
washing of buildings and mobile homes as needed in preparation for
painting or other necessary maintenance is not restricted. Once a
year pressure washing for mildew removal is permitted. Pressure
washing of tile roofs once a year, according to manufacturer's
instructions, is permitted. Pressure washing of sidewalks,
driveways, patios and other impervious surfaces is prohibited except for
public health and safety. In all cases where pressure washing is
necessary, low volume methods must be used. A hose fitted with an
automatic shut off nozzle is not considered a low volume pressure
washing method.
Decorative Fountains
The operation of decorative fountains or features is
prohibited
unless such fountains or features are recirculating types and provide a
necessary aeration and or water quality benefit. The operation of
decorative water fountains or features using reclaimed water is not restricted.
A sign stating "using reclaimed water" must be posted next to
the decorative water fountain or feature.
Recreational Products
Water use for outdoor recreation where the water runs continuously,
except for commercial recreation businesses using recirculating water,
is prohibited.
Swimming Pools
The filling of swimming pools not using a filter and recirculating
system is prohibited.
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