SWFWMD Water Shortage Order Lifted

The Southwest Florida Water Management District's (SWFWMD) governing board voted to allow the Water Shortage Order, in place since January 2007, to expire on June 30. Residents are encouraged to continue the water conservation practices they have learned over the last three years. The SWFWMD's year-round conservation measures go in effect July 1, 2010. The year round conservation measures allow for twice-per-week watering, which gives residents additional flexibility for determining when to water. For information on the new restrictions and specific irrigation schedules, please refer to the Irrigation Schedules page.

The lifting of the water shortage order should not reduce the desire to be as efficient as possible when using our water resources. Conservation measures, such as those listed below, should continue to be in place. Water only when needed and don't water twice-per-week if the lawn is not showing signs that water is needed.

Some of the signs that a lawn needs water include:
• blades folded in half lengthwise
• footprints remaining on the lawn for several minutes after walking on it
• the top few inches of soil being dry

Turn off your irrigation system if it has rained or if rain is predicted in the next 24 hours. The amount of irrigation your lawn and landscape needs varies depending on the time of year and rainfall. During our summer rainy season, your irrigation system does not need to operate as frequently or may even be able to be shut off completely. Set your irrigation system to irrigate only once on a day when irrigation is necessary.

Set your irrigation zone run times to run in accordance with the table below.

a. Recommended Zone Run Times are based on normal rainfall conditions.
• During times of drought, you may need to supplement your irrigation system by hand watering using a hose with an automatic shut off nozzle.
• During times of rainfall, you may be able to turn your irrigation system off for an extended period of time.

The Southwest Florida Water Management District may impose additional watering restrictions as part of a water shortage order that must be complied with.