Lee County and South Florida Water Management remind residents to conserve water during dry season

Link to original PDF. If there are any discrepancies between the below text and that of the original linked PDF, the PDF supersedes.

Fort Myers, FL, Jan. 31, 2022 – It’s dry season in Southwest Florida and groundwater supplies are reduced due to limited rainfall. Lee County and the South Florida Water Management District are encouraging residents to conserve water.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has predicted that Florida’s 2022 winter season will have warmer-than-average temperatures with drier-than-average conditions. Conserving water at home can help reduce the stress on aquifers and keep wells from running dry.

Lee County residents are urged to abide by local ordinances that restrict lawn irrigation. Lawn irrigation can account for 50% of household use.

• Landscape irrigation is prohibited daily between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. in unincorporated Lee County. Additionally:
• Addresses that end in an even number can irrigate landscaping only on Thursday and/or Sunday.
• Addresses that end in an odd number, and rights-of-way or other locations without an address can irrigate only on Wednesday and/or Saturday.
• This ordinance also applies to residents who use reclaimed water.

Many municipalities have their own irrigation rules; a comprehensive list can be found at www.sfwmd.gov/mywateringdays. You will need to use the drop-down menu to display your county and city, or you can select “unincorporated areas” for your location. Once both drop-down fields are selected, your watering schedule appears.

The South Florida Water Management District recommends the following:

Inside:

• Fix leaks as soon as possible from toilets, faucets or irrigation systems. A single leaky faucet can waste 100 gallons of water in a day.
• Replace your showerhead with a low flow version using two gallons of water per minute or less. Older showerheads may use up to five gallons of water per minute.
• Operate automatic dishwashers and clothes washers only for full loads.
• Turn off the faucet after wetting a toothbrush, razor or washcloth. Turn the faucet back on when you are ready to rinse

Outside:

• Irrigate no more than once a week in the winter or twice a week in the summer.
• Irrigate during the early morning hours when temperatures and wind speeds are the lowest.
• Use reclaimed or reuse water where available for irrigation.

More tips for water conservation can be found on the South Florida Water Management District website. Click here for 50 Ways to be Water Smart.

Lee County is coordinating with South Florida Water Management District to monitor conditions. In the event that a water shortage is declared for Lee County or other areas in Southwest Florida, the South Florida Water Management District will provide notice of any associated mandatory water-use restrictions.

To receive updates from Lee County Government, sign up for the newsletter here: www.leegov.com/resources/newsletters.