New Lawn Watering Rules in the Forecast in Florida

New lawn watering rules soon may go into effect across northern Central Florida, imposing a number of measures to reduce water use, including limiting lawn watering to one day a week during cooler months of the year.

The St. Johns River Water Management District's governing board voted in early May to begin the process to amend its watering rules. The wide-ranging new rules will apply to most lawn and landscape irrigation, agriculture, nurseries, golf courses and recreational areas. For the first time, the rules will apply to the use of reclaimed water and storm water.

The district hopes the rule will be more uniform and easier to enforce, said district spokesman Ed Garland. A series of meetings is planned around the district in the coming weeks to allow the public to get more information and comment on the rule changes.

The district has had a watering rule in place since 1991, which limited watering to before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m. The district amended its rule in 2006 to allow watering only two days a week.

The rules have been confusing for people who don't understand why some businesses or homeowners associations can water anytime of day because they're using reclaimed water or irrigating new landscape. The district hopes the new rules will alleviate some of that confusion. The district also coordinated with other water management districts statewide to try for more consistent rules.

The district plans to limit the amount of water that can be applied during each irrigation cycle and limit the amount of watering on new landscaping. The rule also will set limits on the use of reclaimed water and will not allow private wells to be used for irrigation if reclaimed water is available.

District documents say local governments would need to amend their ordinances to be consistent with the district, but district officials aren't sure how that would apply if a local government rule is more restrictive. For instance, during times of drought, Volusia County has, in the past, discussed a one day a week rule.

Watering for three days a week would require a special permit under the new rule.

Locally, a meeting is planned June 18 in Sanford. A meeting is planned in Jacksonville July 1.

For more complete information about the new proposed rules, visit sjrwmd.com/irrigationrule .