Charlotte County Utilities

MODIFIED PHASE II SEVERE WATER SHORTAGE RESTRICTIONS

Extended restrictions limit lawn watering to once per week. Water restrictions apply to water supplied by utilities, private wells and surface water sources.   Charlotte County Utilities will be following the District’s water restrictions below.

The Governing Board of the Southwest Florida Water Management District extended modified Phase II severe water shortage restrictions through February 28, 2010. These restrictions were initially declared January 9, 2007.

Unless your local government or utility has restriction guidelines in place, the following restrictions apply to all of Charlotte, Citrus, DeSoto, Hardee, Hernando, Highlands, Manatee, Polk, Sarasota and Sumter counties; portions of Lake and Levy counties; and the portion of Gasparilla Island in Lee County (view regional map).

Marion County now follows the St. Johns River Water Management District’s water restrictions; however, the City of Dunnellon and The Villages remain under the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s water restrictions.

Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties currently have additional water restrictions in effect.

Lawn and landscape watering

  • Lawn and landscape watering remains limited to a once-per-week schedule.
  • Low-volume watering of plants and shrubs (micro-irrigation, soaker hoses, hand watering) is allowed.
  • Unless your city or county already has stricter hours in effect, properties under two acres in size may only water before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m.
  • Unless your city or county already has stricter hours in effect, properties two acres or larger may only water before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m.
  • A petition for variance is available if a property proposes an alternative irrigation plan (such as splitting a large property into two pieces and assigning a different day to each). Check with our staff to confirm that your situation requires a variance. Some circumstances have automatic exemption. Fax petitions for variance to (813) 983-3051, or mail to the address at right.
  • Exemptions are available, such as allowances for new plant material  .

Follow these restrictions:

If your address (house number) ends in…
…0 or 1, water only on Monday
…2 or 3, water only on Tuesday
…4 or 5, water only on Wednesday
…6 or 7, water only on Thursday
…8 or 9*, water only on Friday
* and locations without a discernible address

Other general restrictions

  • Follow applicable best management practices, including watering times and applications.
  • Comply with all Water Use Permit conditions, including allowable drought quantities.
  • Reduce off-site discharge and mobile equipment washing.
  • Fountains and other aesthetic-only water features may only operate 8 hours per day; hours of operation must be posted. However, small indoor and backyard fountains may operate at any time.
  • Car washing is limited to once per week; however, fundraiser events are still allowed. Car washing at residential properties is only allowed on certain days: even-numbered addresses may wash only on Tuesday or Saturday; odd-numbered addresses may wash only on Wednesday or Sunday.

Local government and water utility responsibilities

  • Assist the District with water shortage restriction enforcement, including “any time” coverage for cases referred by the District (when a Water Use Permit is not involved).
  • Review the availability of backup water supplies for potable and fire-fighting purposes.
  • Institute/accelerate local water conservation efforts, including a water system audit.
  • Implement appropriate changes to water system flushing, including on-site signage.