County Commission amends Water Conservation Ordinance to a once-a-week schedule
The Lee Board of County Commissioners voted Tuesday to amend the Lee County Water Conservation Ordinance to implement a one-day-a-week watering schedule from the beginning of February through the end of May to conserve water and protect the aquifer.
Lee County has had a water conservation ordinance for unincorporated communities since 2005. Last year Lee County worked with the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) to raise concerns with water levels within the Sandstone Aquifer in eastern Lehigh Acres.
The major revision to the ordinance is to implement a one-day-a-week watering schedule between the beginning of February through the end of May. This means the odd-numbered addresses may only water on Saturdays and even-numbered addresses and common areas may water on Sundays. No watering can occur 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Typically, the aquifers peak toward the end of rainy season and show the most stress during the April-May timeframe.
Lee County plans a public information campaign about the changes to the ordinance to educate the community. The plan includes introducing Lee County’s newest superhero, Captain Conservation, educational videos, social media outreach and more.
Residents and commercial property owners are urged to abide by local ordinances that restrict lawn irrigation. Lawn irrigation can account for 50% of household use. While the Lee County ordinance applies to those in unincorporated Lee County, a comprehensive list of local rules can be found at www.sfwmd.gov/mywateringdays.
All local ordinances have provisions for enforcement of ordinance violations, which vary by community. People in unincorporated Lee County who irrigate outside the permissible days and hours can receive a warning on a first offense and fines following a warning; however, the county’s main objective is education about the ordinance. Neighborhood groups, Homeowners Associations and others are encouraged to share the above link.
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