Island water restrictions
New watering restrictions were effective as of May 1, and Lee County business owners and residents should adjust their irrigation time clocks.
New watering restrictions include:
• Irrigation is allowed on your days as defined below between midnight and 10 a.m. and/or 4 to 11:59 p.m.
• Odd addresses may irrigate lawns and landscapes on Wednesdays and Saturdays
• Even addresses may irrigate lawns and landscapes on Thursdays and Sundays
• Locations with both even and odd or no addresses such as multi-family units and homeowners association may water lawns and landscapes on Thursdays and Sundays
• Hand watering of stressed plants is allowed for 10 minutes each day
The South District’s Phase III Water Shortage Order that became effective January 16 required the Lee County portion of Gasparilla Island to follow the watering restriction mandated by Southwest Florida Water Management Districts (SW District) which still allows only once per week watering. However, the new restrictions do not have the same stipulation.
The severe water shortage regulations that have been in place are still in effect for the Charlotte County portion of the island. It allows landscape watering only one day per week, which must be one of five separate days dependent upon address.
Landscape watering is allowed:
• On Monday if your address ends in 0 or 1
• On Tuesday if your address ends in 2 or 3
• On Wednesday if your address ends in 4 or 5
• On Thursday if your address ends in 6 or 7
• On Friday if your address ends in 8 or 9, and locations without street addresses.
• Properties less than two acres in size, may water before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m. on their designated day
• Properties more than two acres in size, may water before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m. on their designated day
• Hand watering or micro-irrigation of non-lawn landscape is allowed
• Car washing is limited to one day per week
• Rinsing and flushing of boats after saltwater use is allowed after each use as necessary.
New plant material is allowed additional watering days and times but varies by county. Contact GIWA at 964-2423 for further information.
