Hillsborough County residents, take note: you'll need to stick to one-day-a-week watering restrictions for the rest of the year. This extension, a decision made by the Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board on August 27, is due to ongoing efforts to replenish the C.W. Bill Young Regional Reservoir. Despite a rainier-than-usual August, the region still struggles with a 12-month rainfall deficit, which leaves the reservoir about 7.5 billion gallons below capacity, as reported by the Hillsborough County Water Resources.
The restrictions extend beyond public water supply users to include those relying on ponds, lakes, streams, and well water across the Hillsborough County. It's important to note that these restrictions take precedence over the usual year-round water conservation rules. However, users of reclaimed water have more flexibility, as they can irrigate any day of the week, with the exception of the prohibited hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
When is the best time to water your lawn? It varies based on your address. If your house or business number ends in 0 or 1, Monday's the day for you. Ends in 2 or 3? Tuesday's your day. And so on, until those ending in 8 or 9 water on Fridays. For common areas or complex addresses, Friday is also the day. But this list isn't exhaustive, so be diligent – fines lurk for those who ignore their prescribed watering days and hours. Detailed information and the full schedule can be found on the county's website.
If you're living in the Tampa, Plant City, or Temple Terrace areas, the rules may differ, so it's crucial to check your municipality's watering restrictions.
