Under the new landscape irrigation rule, water users may irrigate their landscapes two days per week during Daylight Saving Time, beginning the second Sunday in March, and once a week during Eastern Standard Time, which begins the first Sunday in November. Users may choose which days to water. Irrigation should not occur between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

The regulations apply to residential landscaping, public or commercial recreation areas, and public and commercial businesses located in the 15 counties within the Suwannee River Water Management District.

Certain units of local government, in cooperation with Suwannee River Water Management District, have adopted ordinances limiting lawn and landscape irrigation. These ordinances may contain specific times and days of the week for irrigation, so please contact your local officials to ensure you have the correct information.

The requirement is part of the District’s new water use permitting rules, Chapter 40B-2, Florida Administrative Code. In addition to water conservation for landscape irrigation, the water use rules require anyone applying for a water use permit to implement a water conservation plan. Only new permit applicants are required to adopt a conservation plan; existing permit holders must adhere to their current permits.