CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. (WINK) — Parts of Charlotte County have now been designated under an “extreme” water shortage, activating restrictions to be in effect starting April.
According to Charlotte County, due to the ongoing drought throughout the region, the Southwest Florida Water Management District has declared a Modified Phase III “Extreme” Water Shortage for parts of Charlotte County.
Starting April 3 through July 1, watering hours are reduced.
Restrictions will be imposed, including lawn watering days and times, restaurants, golf courses, and hand watering and micro irrigation.
According to the Southwest Florida Water Management District, for a region to be designated under the “extreme” water shortage phase, an area must receive below-average rainfall during its summer rainy season and currently has a 13.7-inch regional rainfall deficit compared to the average 12-month total. In addition, water levels in the District’s water resources, such as aquifers, rivers, and lakes, are continuing to decline, and many are severely abnormal.
The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s current water restrictions map shows parts of Charlotte County under that designation.
Courtesy
Charlotte County
Expect the following restrictions to be effective on April 3. Restaurants are only allowed to serve water upon customer request.
Residents will only have four hours a day instead of eight to water. The restriction also applies to those on private wells.
Watering days are based on the last number of your street address:
0 or 1: Monday
2 or 3: Tuesday
4 or 5: Wednesday
6 or 7: Thursday
8 or 9: Friday (also for locations with mixed or no address, such as subdivision common areas)
Southwest Florida Water Management District says that unless your city or county already has stricter hours in effect, watering hours are reduced to 12:01 a.m. to 4 a.m. or 8 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. Properties less than one acre in size may only use one of these windows.
Regarding hand watering and micro irrigation, residents may still hand water plants or use micro irrigation to water flower beds, shrubs, or other plant material (other than lawns) on any day. Under the Modified Phase III restrictions, it is limited to before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m.
Sprinklers (WINK News)
By WINK News Digital
Golf courses in the affected areas will have their fairways and driving ranges irrigated no more than once per week. Tees, golf course greens, and practice greens may be irrigated no more than three times per week.
The use of water for medical purposes or for protecting public health, safety, and welfare is not restricted.
Learn more about conserving water.