With the recent hot weather, it may be tempting to water more often than usual however the Town of Oakland Code of Ordinances Chapter 30 - Environment, Article IV - Water Conservation for Landscape Irrigation specifies the dates and times that a resident can utilize landscape irrigation. For specific details on this section of the Town of Oakland Code of Ordinances, please see Chapter 30, Article IV.
Summary of Restrictions:
Irrigation is prohibited between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
During daylight saving time (second Sunday in March until the first Sunday in November) irrigation is limited to no more than two days per week on scheduled days.
- Residential irrigation is allowed on Wednesday and Saturday at addresses that end in an odd number or have no address.
- Residential irrigation is allowed on Thursday and Sunday at addresses that end in an even number.
- Nonresidential irrigation is allowed on Tuesday and Friday.
During Eastern Standard Time (first Sunday in November until the second Sunday in March) irrigation is limited to no more than one day per week on scheduled days.
- Residential irrigation is allowed on Saturday at addresses that end in an odd number or have no address.
- Residential irrigation is allowed on Sunday at addresses that end in an even number.
- Nonresidential irrigation is allowed on Tuesday.
- Irrigation is limited to no more than ¾ inch of water per zone per irrigation day.
- Irrigation is limited to no more than one hour per irrigation zone per irrigation day.
- Irrigation is limited to only that amount necessary to meet landscape needs.
- Irrigation limitations apply to water withdrawn from ground or surface water, from a private well or pump, or from a public or private utility.
- Persons irrigating with an automatic lawn irrigation system installed after May 1991 shall install, maintain and operate a rain sensor device or switch that overrides the system when adequate rainfall has occurred.
Florida has five water management districts (WMDs) which are state agencies that manage and protect our water resources on a regional basis. The St. Johns River Water Management District oversees our region. The water restrictions issued by the St. Johns River Water Management District and the Town of Oakland should be followed exactly, as they exist to ensure that there’s enough water for everyone. The St. Johns River Water Management District website has some good information including tips for saving water, Waterwise Landscaping, a home water use survey, and conservation videos.
The Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ (FFL) program website also has some good information about Florida Friendly landscaping ideas, plants, and watering tips.