Public Utilities - Water Division

New Watering Restrictions in Place for Clearwater Residents

Clearwater residents should adhere to the new watering schedule based on the May 3rd, 2007 changes to the City’s ordinances. Watering restrictions are as follows:

The declaration of a water shortage condition or water shortage emergency affecting all or part of the city or its water service area by the governing board or the executive director of the district supports and requires the following watering schedule for lawns, landscape and other uses of water and such schedule is established for the City of Clearwater as set forth below.

(1) When using potable water (domestic and lawn meters), or water from wells, lakes or ponds:

(a) Property addresses ending in even numbers, letters A through M on Saturday

(b) Property addresses ending in odd numbers, letters N through Z, or mixed or no street addresses on Sunday

(c) All locations - no watering between 8:01 a.m. and 5:59 p.m. on any day

(2) When using reclaimed water:   

(a) To conserve the resource, no irrigation by use of reclaimed water is allowed between the hours of 8:01 a.m. and 5:59 p.m. on each day of the week. When applied, reclaimed water should be used only to the extent necessary for irrigation needs of lawns, gardens and individual plants

(3) Establishment period for new lawns:

(a) Newly installed lawns may be watered daily for 60 days, if necessary. Watering is allowed only during authorized hours for water source.

(b) No watering between 8:01 a.m. and 5:59 p.m.

(c) All locations which contain at least 50% of new plant material - for 60 days and at authorized hours for water source

(d) All locations which contain less than 50% of new plant material - for 60 days, at authorized hours for water source and by means other than irrigation system, unless an irrigation zone is created for the area with new plant material or watered so that only the new plant material is irrigated. - for 60 days, at authorized hours for water source. For the remainder of the location, irrigate at authorized hours for water source

(4) Low-volume irrigation devices, defined as micro-irrigation, bubblers, soaker hoses, or drip tubing, shall not be restricted to specific days or times of operation

(5) Miscellaneous - Applicable to all water sources:

(a) Cars may be washed once per week, according to the watering schedule above. A shutoff nozzle or other water efficient device must be used on the watering source

(b) Hand watering of trees, shrubs,flower and vegetable gardens is allowed as needed. A shutoff nozzle or other water efficient device must be used

(c) Hand watering of lawns is restricted as provided in subsections (1), (2), and (3), of this section

(d) Insecticides, fungicides and herbicides may be watered in on an unauthorized day, but watering must be within authorized hours and limited to the minimum of watering necessary. Regular designated irrigation day and hours should be used when possible

(e) Fertilizers should be watered in on authorized day, during restricted hours

(6) Regulatory compliance: Upon declaration by the District or regional water authority of a water shortage condition, or upon rescinding such declaration, the City Manager or designee shall have the authority to alter the watering restrictions contained in this Section.  Such alteration shall be consistent with statutory and Florida Administrative Code requirements as well as administrative order of the District or regional water authority.

For more information or questions, contact Public Utilities at 562-4960 ext. 7231.