Water quantity & quality: Do you have to follow water restrictions?

Of the 18.80 million people living in Florida in 2010, 93 percent resided in one of the four water management districts with year-round water restrictions including the South Florida Water Management District, Southwest Florida Water Management District, St. Johns River Water Management District and the Suwannee River Water Management District. In some cases, city and county governments have enacted landscape irrigation ordinances that are stricter than those issued by the water management districts. Water restrictions can vary based on local water demands, system limitations, and resource availability. Water restrictions typically limit lawn watering to certain days and times, which may vary seasonally and by a homeowner’s address. Only the Northwest Florida Water Management District does not have year-round water restrictions at this time.

For more information on water restrictions and water use and trends in Florida:

Note: Only survey respondents who said they were responsible for maintaining a yard were asked if they had to follow water restrictions.