Current Water Use Restrictions and Water Conservation Tips
YEAR-ROUND WATER CONSERVATION MEASURES - WATER RESTRICTIONS
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UPDATE - 25 October 2024 |
The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) Governing Board voted Tuesday, 22 October 2024, to rescind the Modified Phase I Water Shortage Order, which was originally enacted in November 2023. This action eliminates one-day-per-week watering restrictions for Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. Plant City is now on a two-day-per-week irrigation schedule.
The District’s 16-county region has received above-average rainfall during the 2024 summer rainy season, which includes rainfall from Tropical Storm Debby. Provisional data show the District also received up to 10-15 inches of rainfall in some areas due to Hurricane Milton in October. Lakes, streams, ponds, wetlands and aquifer levels have improved and Tampa Bay Water’s 15.5-billion-gallon C.W. Bill Young Regional Reservoir is nearly full.
For more information, please visit – Water 101 For Homeowners
Plant City’s irrigation restrictions and water conservation measures are established by adopting and utilizing Southwest Florida Water Management District rules and directives
Irrigation Restrictions - All Water Source
City of Plant City Water Utility Customers, Private Irrigation Wells, Automatic and Manual Operation Irrigation Systems, Portable Hose-End Sprinklers, Surface Waters and Private Water Systems
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TWO – DAYS - PER – WEEK WATERING ALLOWABLE DAYS - ADDRESSES
ALLOWABLE TIMES
Any Day and Any Time RECLAIMED WATER IRRIGATION Allowed Any Day Except between 10 AM and 4 PM CITY PROPERTIES, RIGHTS-OF WAY & MEDIANS – One Day Per Week WATERING VIOLATIONS Plant City Police Department Non-Emergency Number 813-757-9200 |
Irrigation Systems
FLORIDA LAW (STATUTE 373.62) - Any person who purchases and installs an automatic irrigation system must install, maintain and operate a calibrated device which is designed to detect rainfall and override/interrupt operation of the irrigation system during periods of sufficient rainfall
Rain Shutoff Device – Required
Chapter 74 - Utilities, Article II - Water Service, Division 2 - Water Conservation
Reference Section 74-59 – Restriction of Curtailment of Water Uses,
(c) Lawn and Landscape Use (2)
AN EXAMPLE IS A WIRED RAIN SENSOR
WITH A CONTROLLER
Consider “smart” irrigation technology
Please see below Saving Water Outdoors
It’s important - know your allowable watering days and allowable watering times. Ensure your irrigation system is operating properly. Repair broken pipes, misaligned/broken sprinkler heads. Check and ensure irrigation system timer settings are correct and a rain shutoff device is installed and working properly.
New Lawn and Landscape
- A 30-30 (60-Day) establishment period begins the day new plant material is installed and is limited to areas containing new plant material only
- An entire zone of an irrigation system may only be used for establishment period watering if the zone in question contains at least 50% new plant material
- On the day new plant material is installed watering is allowed on any day at any time. Except as noted above
- New landscape plants can be watered any day at any time
Except As Noted Below – New Lawn Establishment Is Prohibited Between 10 AM and 4 PM
| Days | ADDRESS-LOCATION |
|---|---|
| 1-30 | All Addresses - Any Day During Allowable Watering Hours |
| 31-60 |
Even | Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday Odd | Monday, Wednesday, Saturday |
| Locations With No Discernable Address - Tuesday, Friday, Sunday | |
Pressure Washing | Vehicle Washing | Fountains
There are no specific restrictions for these water uses.
Please be as efficient as possible
Commercial | Industrial | Agricultural
Follow published industry standards, best management and water conservation practices. Users governed by a water use permit, shall continue to comply with all permit conditions
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Plant City's Water Water Conservation measures and using water resources efficiently are important first steps in protecting and preserving our drinking water supplies. Plant City’s water source is groundwater pumped from the Floridan Aquifer beneath the City. Water is withdrawn through four deep wells located within City limits. Well depths are from 746 to 1,200 feet. Plant City and the state of Florida are experiencing significant population growth and new development. According to the Imagine 2040 Plant City Comprehensive Plan. Plant City’s population could increase to 71,000+ residents by 2040. Reference Page 21, Future Land Use, Population Trends, LU Table 2 Population Growth 2010 – 2040 -- Plan Hillsborough - Imagine 2040 Plant City Comprehensive Plan. Water conservation will play an important role in the City’s continuing efforts to plan for increased water demands and future water supplies. |
FREE Offerings | Programs
- Indoor and Outdoor Water Saving Devices – As Requested
Please See Below – Saving Water Indoors and Outdoors
- Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Water Conservation and Environment related Information
- City Residential Utility Customer Irrigation System Evaluations
- Public Outreach and Engagements - As Scheduled or Requested
Basic Ways We All Can Save Water
Leaks and irrigation are the two most common reasons for high water consumption. Sources of potential high-water consumption also include: filling a swimming pool, washing laundry and dishes, a leaking toilet, pressure washer cleaning, washing vehicles, new sod or plants.
First – Check For Leaks...Toilets, Showerhead and Faucet Aerator Connections, Irrigation Systems, Outdoor Faucets and Garden Hoses
Turn off all faucets and water using appliances
Write down the water meter reading - wait 30 minutes
If there is a different reading or if the water flow
indicator is moving…you may have a leak
Saving Water Indoors
Install low-flow showerheads
1.5 Gallons Per Minute Low-Flow Showerheads, Faucet Aerators and Swivel Faucet Aerators
Turn off the water when brushing teeth or hand-washing dishes
Only wash full loads in the dishwasher and washing machine
Chlorine Resistant Toilet Flapper
A leaking toilet can waste up to 200 gallons of water per day
Add 4 or 5 drops of food coloring into the tank and wait 15 minutes
If colored water appears in the bowl, there is probably a leak
A new flapper may take care of some toilet leaks
Saving Water Outdoors
Use An Automatic Shutoff Nozzle and Manual Timer
An unrestricted garden hose can waste up to 500 gallons of water an hour
City staff conducted field tests at a single-family residential home and a commercial facility - an unrestricted garden hose and a garden hose with an automatic shutoff nozzle were each run for 3 minutes
Residential Average
Unrestricted Garden Hose – 8 Gallons Per Minute
Garden Hose and Automatic Shutoff Nozzle – 3 Gallons Per Minute
Commercial Average
Unrestricted Garden Hose – 11 Gallons Per Minute
Garden Hose and Automatic Shutoff Nozzle – 5.3 Gallons Per Minute
An automatic shutoff nozzle reduced water usage with a garden hose,
on average, by an estimated 57% - 5.3 gallons per minute
Wash vehicles on the grass
Use a broom or other dry method to remove grass clippings/debris from
a driveway, building, home or other impervious surface instead of hosing down with water
Irrigation Systems
An estimated 50% of the water consumed by a Florida household is
through outdoor water use - predominant use is irrigation of lawn and landscape with an automatic irrigation system
If you have an irrigation system –
Only water on allowable days - during allowable hours
Ensure your irrigation system is operating properly
Repair broken pipes and misaligned/broken sprinkler heads
Check and ensure irrigation system controller timer settings are correct and a rain shutoff device, such as a wired rain sensor or wireless “smart” controller, is installed and working properly.
Evapotranspiration or Soil Moisture Sensor -
“Smart” controllers receive sensor feedback from
weather sensors in the region or from the
irrigated system and adjusts irrigation
Landscape - Micro-irrigation methods (drip, micro-spray, micro-sprinkler, bubbler, and soaker hoses)
Where Applicable and/or Feasible -
Turfgrass – Water conserving nozzles, pressure regulated spray bodies and multiple stream spray heads
Separate irrigation zones for trees, shrubs, landscape and turfgrass
Landscape
The City encourages Florida-Friendly Landscaping, native and drought tolerant plant material – please consider Bahia turfgrass
University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS)
Hillsborough County Extension Service
Florida-Friendly Landscaping Plant Guide
Florida-Friendly Landscaping for Community Landscapes and Landscape Professionals
How Does The City Save Water?Regulatory Reporting Part of the City’s water conservation efforts includes regulatory reporting of all residential, commercial/industrial, irrigation and municipal water usage annually. This annual reporting also serves as an internal annual water use audit. The City utilizes this process to evaluate and make improvements to our water use practices. Irrigation The City monitors irrigation water usage for City properties and rights-of-way (ROW). This proactive water conservation initiative also establishes City policy of one-day-per-week irrigation for all City properties and ROW. The UF IFAS and District recommends up to ¾” of an inch of water per application. This guideline is used to calculate a fixed billing cycle allotment specific for each location. Individual location allotments make up an overall annual allotment. UF IFAS Florida-Friendly Landscaping Program - Water Efficiently Guidance. District. Florida-Friendly Landscaping - Step 5: Maintaining a Healthy Lawn From 2019 – 2023, the City used less than the recommended irrigation gallons/annual allotment by an average of 4.9 million gallons each year – saving over 13,000 gallons per day. As a water management tool, the program has brought about more water-efficient irrigation practices and enhanced preventative maintenance measures. Irrigation plans for future City projects are reviewed to ensure the project is added to the program and “smart” irrigation technology is incorporated in the project design. Landscape |
The City also promotes water conservation by incorporating Florida-Friendly Landscaping, drought tolerant and native plants on City properties. Landscape plant material and turfgrass are evaluated for each current City property. Plans for future City projects are reviewed to ensure Florida-Friendly Landscaping is incorporated in the project design.
