Year-Round Water Conservation Measures
Charlotte County residents are encouraged to follow these guidelines unless additional municipality or neighborhood restrictions apply.
Lawn Watering Days & Times
Lawn watering is limited to two days per week (if needed).
Based on the last number in your service address:
- Even number addresses may water on Thursday and/or Sunday before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m.
- Odd number addresses may water on Wednesday and/or Saturday before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m.
- Locations without a discernable address, such as rights-of-way and common areas inside a subdivision, may water on Tuesday and/or Friday before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m.
Hand watering and micro-irrigation of plants (other than lawns) may be done on any day and any time.
New Lawns & Plants (30/30)
New lawns and plants have a "30-30" establishment period.
On the day of installation, watering is allowed on any day at any time.
During the first 30 days, watering is allowed on any day during the allowable hours.
During the second 30 days, watering is allowed three days per week:
- Even-numbered addresses may water on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.
- Odd-numbered addresses may water Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Locations without a discernable address may water on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday.
Reclaimed Water
Reclaimed water remains subject to voluntary watering hours unless blended with another water source or restricted by the local government or utility.
Fountains, Car Washing & Pressure Washing
There are no specific restrictions on fountains, car-washing and pressure washing.
These and other water uses should be conducted as efficiently as possible, such as using a shutoff nozzle on each hose to adhere to the general restriction prohibiting wasteful water usage.
To report a violation of these water restrictions, please call us at 941.764.4300. You can also report violations to the district using this form or calling the toll-free number below.
If you have additional water restriction questions, please contact SWFWMD by email at Water.Restrictions@WaterMatters.org or by calling their Water Restrictions Hotline at 1.800.848.0499 anytime or 1.800.836.0797, ext. 2298 during business hours (Florida only).
Water Conservation Practices for Households
The greatest benefit of water conservation in the home is cost savings. By reducing the amount of water used, monthly water bills are reduced. If homes are served by septic systems, reducing water use reduces the amount of wastewater to be treated, thereby minimizing strain on the system and improving pollutant removal performance. Here are some helpful water conservation practices that can help conserve water resources and save homeowners money:
- Run the dishwasher and laundry machines only with full loads. Use the shortest wash and rinse cycles and the lowest water level setting possible. Avoid the permanent press cycle, which uses an additional 10 to 20 gallons of water.
- When hand-washing dishes, do not let the water run continuously.
- Avoid using a garbage disposal system.
- When buying a new washing machine, choose a suds-saver model.
- In the bathrooms, place two half-gallon plastic bottles filled with water in the toilet tank to reduce the amount of flush water used.
- Take shorter showers and use a water-conserving shower head (less than 2.5 gallons per minute) rather than taking baths, which use 30 to 50 gallons of water.
- When shaving, brushing teeth, or washing your face, do not let the water run continuously.
- Water the lawn only when absolutely necessary. More water is consumed using sprinkler and irrigation systems than if a hand-held hose is used (International Turf Producers Foundation, no date). (Trickle irrigation systems and soaker hoses are 20 percent more efficient than sprinklers.)
- Water lawns only during the coolest time of day to avoid evaporation of the water.