Town begins water restrictions and citations
Now that the South Florida Water Management District has put into place Modified Phase II Water Restrictions, the Town of Fort Myers Beach is beginning their enforcement efforts.
Beginning April 11, the Town began issuing citations associated with the Modified Phase II Water Restrictions. Citation fines are as follows: First Citation = $25.00; Second Citation = $100.00; Third Citation up to $500.00 (plus associated court costs). One can report watering violations to Fort Myers Beach Code Enforcement Office at 765-0202.
1. General guidelines for all water users
– All wasteful and unnecessary water use is prohibited.
– Essential services involving public health and safety, such as fire fighting, are not restricted.
– Water restrictions DO apply to water from ALL SOURCES: public utilities, private wells, canals, lakes, ponds and rivers.
Exceptions: 100 percent reclaimed water use is not restricted.
– Any exemptions from the restrictions must be through a formal process, that is, by obtaining a variance from the District.
2. Residential/Community Category Modified PHASE II Water-Use Summary
Because about half the drinking water used in South Florida is for landscape irrigation, the District targets outside water use for restrictions. Irrigation is most efficient in the early-morning hours when less evaporation occurs.
a) Landscape Irrigation & Maintenance for Homes, Multi-Use Family Units/Multi-Use Complexes and Businesses
– If your address ends in an EVEN NUMBER, has multiple street address, no street address or includes both odd and even addresses, water on THURSDAY AND/OR SUNDAY.
– If your address ends in an ODD NUMBER, water on WEDNESDAY AND/OR SATURDAY.
– Properties may be watered on the designated day, either from 12 a.m. to 10 a.m. or 4 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
– Hand watering with one hose and an automatic shut-off nozzle is also allowed on the same days.
b) New Plantings, Sod, or Landscaping:
– Younger than 30 days – Every Day Except Friday: 12 a.m. to 10 a.m. or 4 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
– From 31 to 90 days, Water Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday: 2 a.m. to 10 a.m. or 4:00 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
Irrigation of new landscaping is limited to areas containing the new landscaping only. An entire zone of an irrigation system may only be utilized for irrigation if that zone area contains at least 50 percent new landscaping. If the zone contains less than 50 percent new landscaping, only individual new plantings are eligible for additional irrigation. Hand watering of stressed plants may be done any day for 10 minutes. Keep documentation on new landscaping in case required to show proof of installation date.
For a complete listing of the water ordinance, go to www.fortmyersbeachfl.gov, click on For Islanders and click on Water Restrictions.