The City of St. Petersburg will implement a new irrigation schedule, limiting watering to once a week for properties using potable or private well water sources. This measure follows the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Modified Phase 2 Water Shortage Order, which takes effect on Sunday, February 8. The order is in response to below-normal rainfall and decreasing water resource levels.
Residents with even-numbered addresses are allowed to irrigate on Saturdays between 5-9 a.m. or 7-11 p.m., while those with odd-numbered addresses or no address may water on Sundays during the same hours. Reclaimed water users are not subject to restrictions but are advised to limit watering to once or twice weekly.
Hand watering of non-lawn landscapes is permitted at any time, while lawns can only be watered by hand during designated days and times. Micro-irrigation of plants other than lawns can also occur any day at any time, provided an automatic shutoff device is used on hoses.
Residents outside city limits or those who do not receive their water from the City should confirm their schedules with their own suppliers, as St. Petersburg’s rules may differ from Pinellas County’s. More information about local regulations can be found at www.stpete.org/WaterRestrictions.
The City recommends residents check and adjust irrigation timers to comply with new rules, as enforcement will increase and stricter measures could follow if drought conditions persist. Testing irrigation systems for maintenance is limited to ten minutes per zone once a week, and all leaks should be repaired promptly.
Home car washing is restricted to assigned watering days, while aesthetic fountains may operate up to eight hours daily unless exempted (such as koi ponds or interactive recreational areas). Homeowners associations cannot enforce requirements that would lead to increased water use for aesthetics or pressure washing.
“Wasteful and unnecessary” water use remains prohibited under these restrictions: “including allowing water to be dispersed without any practical purpose, using water in a grossly inefficient manner, and using water for a purpose that can be readily accomplished by other means.”
Additional information about conservation tips and programs is available at www.stpete.org/WaterConservation.