Beginning March 13, the new schedule for watering established lawns and landscaping in unincorporated Hillsborough County, as well as the City of Tampa, is:
• Addresses ending in 0 or 1 – Mondays
• Addresses ending in 2 or 3 - Tuesdays
• Addresses ending in 4 or 5 – Wednesdays
• Addresses ending in 6 or 7 - Thursdays
• Addresses ending in 8 or 9, locations with no address, and locations with mixed addresses (such as office complexes and shopping centers) – Fridays
 
All watering must be done before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m.
 
Reclaimed water customers are exempt from the water restrictions, although these customers are encouraged to use only what they need.
 
Other highlights of the new restrictions include:
• Hand-watering - Residents may hand-water plants and shrubs, or use a drip irrigation system in landscaping beds, on any day – but only before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m.
• New sod and landscaping – Days 1-30, may be watered any day, before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m. Days 31-60, watered three days a week before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m.: even-numbered addresses on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday; odd-numbered addresses on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday; and common areas, mixed addresses and locations with no address on Sunday, Tuesday and Friday. An irrigation system zone can only be watered if the new material comprises at least 50 percent of that zone.
• Vehicle washing – Residents may wash vehicles once a week, on the designated watering day for the address. Commercial car washes, including mobile detailing businesses, may still operate. Fundraising car washes are not allowed.
• Pressure washing – allowed once a year for aesthetic purposes. Pressure washing for necessary purposes such as before painting or for health and safety reasons, is allowed as needed.
• Decorative fountains – limited to four hours a day.
• Homeowners associations – cannot require pressure washing, lawn replacement or other activities requiring additional water use.
 
The tighter restrictions are in place until at least July 31.
 
The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Governing Board enacted the tighter restrictions in Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties due to below normal rainfall, reduced river levels and increasing water supply concerns.
 
For more information call (813) 272-5900 or 1-800-848-0499.