Hernando County received a letter from SWFWMD informing the county that as on June 5, the existing water shortage declaration has been elevated due to continuing drought conditions for all 16 counties within the District’s jurisdiction including Charlotte, Citrus, DeSoto, Hardee, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lake, Levy, Manatee, Marion, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota and Sumter.
The order reduces lawn watering to once per week and the hours for watering have been further limited from a maximum of 18 hours per week to 14 hours per week. There are also limits on non-commercial car washing to once per week (on the property’s watering day).
Other items as part of the “Modified Phase III” Water Shortage Order include:
– Homeowner associations and other entities are not allowed to require sod replacement, pressure washing, or other aesthetic actions that would increase water use.
– Water utilities are required to take certain education, enforcement, and efficiency actions (for details, please see the fact sheet on the restrictions page at WaterMatters.org.)
– Agricultural irrigation and golf course or other athletic play surface irrigation (even if allowed under a Water Use Permit) is prohibited between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., with exemptions for micro-irrigation, center pivot, crop and tee/green protection, and other appropriate purposes.
– Permitted uses (agricultural, commercial and industrial operations, golf course and other athletic play surfaces, etc.) generally are able to follow water conservation plans and other permit requirements.
The Order will remain in effect until August 1, 2017.