Charlotte County Utilities

Feb. 24, 2009 - SWFWMD declares Phase III Extreme Water Shortage

Southwest Florida Water Management District declares Phase III Extreme Water Shortage

In response to ongoing drought conditions, the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) has declared a Modified Phase III Extreme Water Shortage for our region. As of February 24, 2009, the counties served by the Peace River/Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority — Charlotte, DeSoto, Manatee and Sarasota — are under a Phase III Extreme Water Shortage Alert, which will remain in effect through June 30, 2009. CCU will continue to follow SWFWMD policies, which may include tighter watering restrictions, should the drought continue.

Update: At the Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board meeting held on June 23, 2009, the Board chose to extend the current Phase III Water Restrictions without changes until July 31, 2009. The next Governing Board meeting will be on Tuesday, July 28, at the Polk County Administration Building, 330 West Church Street, Bartow, FL.

What is a Phase III Extreme Water Shortage?

SWFWMD identifies four levels of water shortage, beginning with “moderate” and increasing through “severe,” “extreme” and “critical.” On a scale of 0 to 100, Peace River flows are hovering around the 6th percentile. In response, SWFWMD is requiring enhanced water conservation measures from local governments, water utilities and citizens, and is requesting a 10% voluntary reduction in all water use.

What else is being done to address the water shortage?

In addition to the Modified Phase III Water Shortage, SWFWMD has implemented the following emergency water supply measures to assist our region, including:

  • Allowing the Peace River Authority to increase withdrawals from the Peace River when sufficient flows are available.
  • Allowing the Authority to withdraw groundwater from its Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) wellfields after all previously stored river water has been recovered.
  • Allowing the Englewood Water District to increase groundwater withdrawals to provide extra water to Charlotte County through a recently constructed interconnection, temporarily reducing the county’s reliance on Peace River Authority water deliveries.

How does this affect me?

Following is a summary of relevant changes to the watering restrictions and water conservation requirements under the Modified Phase III Water Shortage. For more information, please visit the SWFWMD Web site at www.watermatters.org.

Enforcement of water restrictions

  • Water utilities and other local officials must increase enforcement efforts, including responding to citizen complaints, monitoring water use through patrols or customer records and issuing citations or penalty charges without having first issued a warning in response to any violation that occurs more than 14 days after the effective date of the Phase III Water Shortage order.
  • Utilities must contact and strive to significantly reduce water use among their high-use single-family customers (those using 15,000 gallons per month or more).
  • In 2008, CCU staff began enforcement of watering restrictions for CCU customers in accordance with Charlotte County Ordinance No. 2007-0075. Customers watering on the wrong day or time may be subject to Unauthorized Water Use Charges which appear on their monthly Utilities bill. The Sheriff’s Office continues to enforce water restrictions for all County residents.
  • Under Phase III Water Shortage Conditions, as directed by SWFWMD, CCU will not issue written warnings to its customers for first-time water restriction violations. The first offense will result in a $250 Unauthorized Water Use Charge; the second and subsequent offenses will result in a $500 Unauthorized Water Use Charge

Modified Phase III Water Restrictions at a Glance

Lawn and landscape irrigation

Lawn watering restrictions remain at one application per week, in accordance with the following schedule. Addresses with house number ending in:

  • 0 or 1 may water on Monday
  • 2 or 3 on Tuesday
  • 4 or 5 on Wednesday
  • 6 or 7 on Thursday
  • 8 or 9 and locations with a mix of addresses, or for which an address cannot be determined (such as common areas of a subdivision), on Friday

Time of Day Watering Restrictions

Properties less than two acres in size may water only before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m. on the assigned day. Properties two acres or greater in size may water only before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m. on the assigned day. Each property may only use one of its two allowable time periods.

New or replacement lawns

A 30-day establishment period is allowed for new and replacement turfgrass (sod, plugs, seed, etc.). On days 1 through 15, the new or replacement turfgrass may be watered any day of the week. On days 16 through 30, the turfgrass may be watered approximately every other day. Even-numbered addresses may water only on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Odd-numbered addresses may water only on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Time of day watering restrictions apply.

New plants

New plants (other than lawns) have a 60-day establishment period. On days 1 through 30, new plants may be watered any day of the week. During days 31 through 60, new plants may be watered approximately every other day. Even-numbered addresses may water on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Odd-numbered addresses may water on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Time of day watering restrictions apply.

Hand-watering and micro-irrigation

Although hand-watering and micro-irrigation of plants, other than lawns, is still allowed on any day, time of day watering restrictions apply.

Fountains

Aesthetic fountains and other water features with recirculation systems may operate only four hours per day. The hours of operation can be selected by the owner, but must be posted in a visible location.

Vehicle and mobile equipment washing

Car, truck and mobile equipment washing is restricted to one washing a week and must use low-volume methods, such as a handheld hose, equipped with a shut-off nozzle. For residential properties, vehicle washing is permitted on Tuesday or Saturday for an even address or Wednesday or Sunday for an odd address. Car wash fundraisers are permitted on behalf of non-profit organizations.

Other uses

  • Eliminate non-essential uses of water and take appropriate actions to avoid increases in use.
  • Eliminate offsite discharge and recycle water onsite to the extent practicable.
  • Suspend cleanup requiring water use, except for the minimum required to protect efficiency of the operation and prevent damage to equipment.

Restaurants

Restaurants may serve water only upon customers’ request.