LIVE OAK, FL,
October 30, 2017 – The Suwannee River Water Management District (District) is
reminding district residents to shift landscape watering to once per week
beginning November 5, 2017. The fall watering schedule will remain in effect
until March 11, 2018.
Cooler
temperatures and shorter days call for less watering in the winter due to
slower growth and less evaporation. Irrigation schedules seek to ensure
efficient water use and conserve water resources.
Additionally,
November is historically the driest month of the year which works in perfect
tandem with the slower growing season, lunar changes and cooler temperatures.
“The changing seasons are a visual reminder that
nature works to maintain itself during colder, drier times and requires much
less water to preserve the health of flora and fauna,” said Hugh Thomas,
executive director of the Suwannee River Water Management District. “Irrigation
scheduling is one way that we can all contribute to conserving water,
especially when there is not a natural need for it.”
The watering schedule applies to residential
landscaping; public, commercial, and industrial property; hotels and motels; and
public medians. Key guidelines include:
- Irrigation should not occur between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.;
- No more than ¾ inch of water or the depth of a five-ounce tuna can, may be applied per irrigation zone per day;
- Water no more than one hour per irrigation zone;
- Odd numbered or no address locations are permitted to water on Saturdays (Address ending in the numbers 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 or the letters N-Z);
- Even numbered address locations are permitted to water on Sundays (Address ending in the numbers 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 or letters A-M); and
- Non-residential properties are permitted to water on Tuesdays.
Business
and residents are encouraged to use Florida-Friendly Landscape principles and
skip watering when it rains close to a scheduled irrigation day. Agricultural
and other large irrigation uses maintain year-round guidelines through the
District’s water use permitting program.
For
more information about landscape irrigation measures or to learn more about the
District, visit www.mysuwanneeriver.com or follow
us on Facebook and Twitter, search @SRWMD.
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