Code enforcement to monitor water restrictions violations

SARASOTA - Rain has been trickling into Sarasota County, but officials want residents to know that the unincorporated areas of Sarasota County remain under once-a-week landscape and irrigation water restrictions, and Code Enforcement personnel will be issuing notices to water restriction violators.

The following is a review of those restrictions, which apply whether the source of water is a well, pond, or from a utility system:
· Even addresses (house numbers ending with 0, 2, 4, 6 or 8) may water only on Tuesdays.
· Odd addresses (house numbers ending with 1, 3, 5, 7 or 9) may water only Sundays.
· No irrigation is allowed between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
· The maximum amount of water applied is limited to three-quarters of an inch in each irrigation zone, once, on each allowable watering day.

Flower beds, vegetable gardens and other non-lawn areas may be irrigated as needed using a hand-watering device with a shut-off nozzle. These areas may also be watered using micro-irrigation and other forms of horticulture appropriate, low-volume irrigation, on any day of the week.

Newly planted lawn and landscape areas may be watered any day of the week for a 60-day establishment period that begins the day that the plant material is installed. However, no irrigation is permitted between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

To report violations of these water restrictions, residents should contact Sarasota County Utilities Customer Service at (941) 861-6790 with the time and date of the alleged violation.

For more information about watering restrictions or to report watering violations, contact the Sarasota County Call Center at (941) 861-5000 and ask for Utilities Customer Service.

05/22/06

Southwest Florida Water Management District's water restrictions are in effect, except where stricter measures have been imposed by local governments.

* Current water restrictions limit lawn watering to one application per week. Even-numbered addresses may water on Tuesdays. Odd-numbered addresses, or where no address can be determined, may water on Sundays. Watering must be accomplished before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m.

* Handwatering of trees, shrubs, flower beds, vegetable gardens and other non-turf areas are not restricted to certain days or times by the district as long as water is applied in an efficient manner. Any hose used for this activity should have a trigger-style nozzle so that water is only running when the hose is being used. New plant material may be irrigated during a 60-day establishment period.

* Personal car washing and fund-raising car washes are allowed as long as water is used in an efficient manner. Hoses used should also have trigger-style nozzles. Consider the use of commercial washers that recycle their water.

* Golf course irrigation should be accomplished before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m. Fairways may receive up to two applications per week; tees and greens may receive up to three applications each week.

Information: (800) 423-1476.

Charlotte County residents may water once a week before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m. based on addresses ending with:

* Even numbers (or the letters A-M) on Tuesday.

* Odd numbers (or the letters N-Z) on Sunday.

Information: 743-1300.

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