What You Need to Know About Orlando’s Watering Restrictions
BY WIKILAWN | MARCH 5TH, 2019 | ORLANDO
Despite being located in a peninsula surrounded by water on all three sides, uncontaminated fresh water can be scarce in Orlando, FL. Watering the lawn is allowed two twice per week during Daylight Saving Time (second Sunday in March until the first Sunday in November) and once per week during Eastern Standard Time (first Sunday in November until the second Sunday in March).
Lawn irrigation makes up more than half of all Central Florida’s water consumption, according to the Florida Water Science Center. So, be a good Floridian neighbor and make sure you’re abiding by Orlando’s watering restrictions to help lower costs of water.
What days am I allowed to water my lawn?
During Daylight Saving Time (DST) odd numbered addresses or those with no address may water on Wednesday and Saturday; even numbered addresses may water on Thursday and Sunday; nonresidential properties may water on Tuesday and Friday.
During Eastern Standard Time (EST) odd numbered addresses or those with no address may water on Saturday; even numbered addresses may water on Sunday; nonresidential properties may water on Tuesday.
What time am I allowed to water my lawn?
You may water your lawn between 4 p.m. and 10 a.m. It’s lawn care best practice to water early in the morning and late at night anyway, so folks who like to keep their grass green will be happy to abide by this rule. The Orlando sun can get scorching hot anyways and you wouldn’t want to boil your grass.
How long am I allowed to run my irrigation system?
According to the Orlando Utilities Commission, water for no more than hour per zone. Now, that doesn’t necessarily mean that you should water each zone for one hour. Not all zones are made equal and that’s why the engineer who designed your irrigation system allowed you to control each zone.
Each sprinkler zone should be tested individually to determine the amount of runtime it needs. Good news is that if you need to test your irrigation system, you’re allowed to! You may run the system anytime for 20 minutes per zone in Orlando, FL.
Wait… what if I just replaced my existing lawn with sod and/or seeds?
No worries!
The OUC website states:
“If you have planted a section of new grass or plants, that area may be watered every day for the first 30 days and every other day for the next 30 days as needed, after which you should return to the regular watering schedule. Remember, only the new plants and grass may be watered every day.”