Water Restrictions Throughout Broward Begin March 22

Because of drought conditions, the South Florida Water Management District has enacted restrictions of lawn watering, car washing and other uses. Effective March 22, lawn watering and car washing in Broward County will be limited to three days a week:

Odd addresses can water Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, 4-8 a.m. (irrigation).

Even addresses can water Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, 4-8 a.m. (irrigation).

No watering will be permitted on Fridays.

Hand watering will be permitted on water days between the hours of 5 and 7 p.m.

Car Washing is permitted only during the times you are allowed to water your lawn, but you must wash your car on the grass.

Violators are subject to warnings, fines and jail.

Usually two-thirds of Florida's annual rainfall occurs in the five-month wet season, stretching from June to October. This year, the district received 88 percent of the average wet season's rainfall, leaving it about four inches below the target of 33.21 inches. The shortage is most notable over the district's northern, central and southeast coastal regions where rainfall deficits of up to 12 inches occurred. Lake Okeechobee’s water level is less than 11 feet, about four feet below normal. The lake is South Florida’s backup water supply.

For more information about water conservation and the new restrictions, visit http://www.sfwmd.gov/ or http://www.broward.org/watermatters.