Public Utilities - Water Division

Watering Schedule

NEW! - Clearwater to Impose Modifications to County Watering Restrictions

• Read latest news item about SWFWMD Water Shortage Order and Modified Phase II Watering Restrictions here.

Updated Watering Restrictions Outlined Below:

Modified watering schedule allows watering once per week from all water sources (except reclaimed water), not between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. for any water source.

In response to restrictions imposed by the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD), the City of Clearwater has put in place the following watering limitations during this period of drought. These changes are currently in effect:

Follow these Watering Restrictions

Follow this Watering Schedule

Lawn & Landscape Watering - Using Drinking Water, Private or Public Wells, Lakes, Ponds, or Other Sources, except Reclaimed

Homeowners may water their lawns once per week:

If your address (house number) ends in...
...Even numbers, water on Saturday
...Odd numbers, water on Sunday
...Letters “A” through “M,” water on Saturday
...Letters “N” through “Z,” water on Sunday
...Mixed or no address, water on Sunday

*New Hours*

• Watering is not allowed between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.

The current watering restrictions remain in effect until further notice for use of water from public and private utilities, wells, lakes, ponds, or any source except reclaimed.

All observed violations will be issued a citation. Citations may be issued without warning.

Lawn Watering - Using Reclaimed Water

All locations that use reclaimed resources to water lawns may do so on any day, not between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. (During times of drought or as dictated by SWFWMD, these hours might be subject to change.)

All observed violations will be issued a citation. Citations may be issued without warning.

Lawn Watering (Non-lawn Plants)

Hand-watering and micro-irrigation is permitted on any day, but not between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Sod Repairs & Replacements

The watering schedule for new construction and lawn replacement (sod, plugs, seeds, and other turf grass material) is for a 60-day period, and not between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.:

• Days   1 – 30, any day of the week; and
• Days 31 – 60, three days per week:
• Even-numbered addresses (or letters A-M) on Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday.
• Odd-numbered addresses (or letters N-Z), mixed, or no street address on Wednesday/Friday/Sunday.

According to the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD), the current watering restrictions remain in effect until further notice. All observed violations will be issued a citation. Citations may be issued without warning.

Fountains, Waterfalls, and Fish Ponds

Large aesthetic fountains, waterfalls, and other water features may operate four hours per day, but not between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., and the schedule must be posted. Fountains used for water quality purposes may operate at any time..

Miscellaneous

Residential Car Washing is restricted to once per week on your designated watering day. A shut-off nozzle must be used. Fundraiser events, commercial car washes, including mobile detailing businesses may operate on any day. Emergency and other first responder vehicles may be washed on any day as needed.

Pressure Washing is allowed for necessary purposes only, such as prior to painting or to correct a safety hazard. Pressure washing of a structure or property for aesthetic purposes is allowed once annually. A shut-off nozzle must be used.

Fertilizers, insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides may be watered in as needed.

Hand Watering, low-volume irrigation devices, or drip tubing is restricted to designated times.

Restaurants may serve water upon request only.

Deed Restrictions and Community Standards Enforcement

Homeowners associations and other entities must suspend any requirement to replace lawns, pressure wash, or engage in other activities which increase water use during this water shortage declaration.

Should I follow the City's or County's Watering Restrictions?

Watering restrictions are regulated by the municipality where the property is located. The Code Compliance division of Planning & Development regulates properties located in the City of Clearwater, and properties located in the County (or enclaves) are regulated by the ordinances of that jurisdiction, regardless of the source from where the water comes.

If you have questions, call Code Compliance at (727) 562-4720.

Who Determines the Need for Watering Restrictions?

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) is the governing body for how the Tampa Bay region and outside areas will best manage its water resources. The City of Clearwater complies with all SWFWMD restrictions.

Created in response to the original water shortage restrictions imposed by SWFWMD, City of Clearwater Ordinance 7802-07 contains a provision giving the City Manager authority to alter the city’s watering restrictions contained in Code Section 32.153, upon declaration of changes by SWFWMD in accordance with SWFWMD’s administrative order.

Requests for Special Exemptions

If you would like to request special exemption from these rules, please fill out a request for variance form and mail it to the following address:

Public Utilities
Attn: Water Manager
1650 N. Arcturas Ave., Bldg C
Clearwater, FL 33765

Contact Information

To Learn More About Watering Restrictions

Water Conservation Hotline
(727) 562-4987

Telephone
(727) 562-4960

E-mail
Use our Clearwater Task Request and Communications System (C-TRACS) to contact us.
You can now contact the City of Clearwater by selecting a category that best matches your concern. A ticket will be opened which will allow you to track your request online and view any steps taken to resolve the issue.

Address
Public Utilities Department
City of Clearwater
1650 N. Arcturas Avenue Building #C
Clearwater, FL 33765-1945

Hours
Office open Monday to Friday: 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

To Report a Possible Violation

Telephone
(727) 562-4720

E-mail
Use our Clearwater Task Request and Communications System (C-TRACS) to contact us.
You can now contact the City of Clearwater by selecting a category that best matches your concern. A ticket will be opened which will allow you to track your request online and view any steps taken to resolve the issue.
Select the category for "Code Enforcement" and select the "Miscellaneous Code Concern" category.

Address
Code Compliance Division of Planning & Development
City of Clearwater
100 S. Myrtle Ave.
Clearwater, FL 33756

Hours
Office open Monday to Friday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

To Contact SWFWMD

E-mail
Water.Restrictions@WaterMatters.org

Water Restriction Hotline
(800) 848-0499 (Florida only)

Telephone
(800) 423-1476, ext. 4498 (Florida only) or (352) 796-7211, ext. 4498

Address
Demand Management Section/RPM
Southwest Florida Water Management District
2379 Broad Street
Brooksville, FL 34604-6899