Water Restrictions and Conservation
The City of North Port is committed to preserving our valuable water resources by encouraging residents to remain conservative in their water use and enforcing the current watering restrictions set forth by Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD). If you have any questions, please call North Port Utilities at (941) 240-8000.
Established Lawns and Plants
Under the newly set Level III water restrictions, lawn watering is limited to no more than once per week through July 1.
- Below is the standard watering days schedule based on addresses ending in:
- 0 or 1 shall only water on Monday
- 2 or 3, on Tuesday
- 4 or 5, on Wednesday
- 6 or 7, on Thursday
- 8 or 9, on Friday along with locations with a mix of addresses or for which an address cannot be determined (such as common areas associated with a subdivision)
- Watering hours are reduced to 12:01 a.m. to 4 a.m. or 8 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.; properties less than one acre in size may only use one of these windows.
- Low-volume watering (micro-irrigation, soaker hoses, hand watering) of plants and shrubs (not lawns) is allowed, but is limited to the hours of before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m.
New Lawns and Plants
- New lawns and plants have a 60-day establishment period. On days 1-30, they may be watered any day of the week. During days 31-60, irrigation is limited to one application on each of three specified days. Even-numbered addresses may water on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. Odd-numbered addresses may be watered on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Properties two acres or greater are permitted to use an alternative schedule to provide three days of establishment irrigation per week from day 31 through day 60 so long as a written schedule of establishment period watering is maintained at the property.
Reclaimed water remains subject to voluntary watering hours, but the City encourages customers to use reclaimed water
Fountains, Car Washing and Pressure Washing
- Car washing at home (non-commercial) is only allowed on your lawn watering day and you must use a hose with a shutoff nozzle. Car washing of fire trucks and other emergency vehicles is allowed.
- Car wash fundraisers held on behalf of non-profit organizations are prohibited, except for one-day events that were scheduled prior to April 3.
- Rinsing of boats and flushing of boat engines is allowed after each use when needed to remove salt water or to prevent the transportation of exotic plant or animal material.
- Cleaning of agricultural vehicles is allowed as necessary.
Fountains
Read more about Modified Phase III water restrictions from SWFWMD.
Conserving Water
Picking up small water conservation habits not only saves water but saves money on your Utilities bill!
Florida-Friendly Landscaping
Florida-Friendly landscapes protect Florida’s unique natural resources by conserving water, reducing waste and pollution, creating wildlife habitat and preventing erosion. Any landscape can be Florida-Friendly if it is designed and cared for according to the nine Florida-Friendly Landscaping principles, which encourage individual expression of landscape beauty.
- Right plant, right place
- Fertilize appropriately
- Use mulch
- Attract wildlife
- Manage yard pests responsibly
- Properly dispose of yard waste
- Reduce stormwater runoff
- Water efficiently
- Protect the waterfront
Learn more about Florida-Friendly Landscaping
Save a drop
Finding small ways to save water around your home can lead to large savings on your utility bill.
- Take shorter showers
- Turn off your bathroom faucet while brushing teeth, washing your face or shaving.
- Only run appliances like dishwashers or washing machines when the load is full.
- Never pour water down the drain when there may be another use for it. For example, use it to water your indoor plants or garden.
- Consider low flow water fixtures for your home
- Instead of using the garbage disposal, throw food in the garbage or start a compost pile to dispose it.
- Position sprinklers so water lands on the lawn and shrubs and not on paved areas.
Detecting a Leak
If you start seeing an increase in your water use on your bill, but have not changed your water use habits, then you might have a leak.
- Check for toilet leaks. Pick up a free dye tablet from the Utilities cashiering counter at City Hall. Remove your toilet tank lid and drop a dye tablet into the tank. Allow the dye to sit in the tank for at least 15-30 minutes, without flushing the toilet. After the waiting period, examine the toilet bowl. If you see any color in the bowl, it indicates a leak from the tank to the bowl.
- Read your water meter. Turn off the water inside and outside your house, then check your meter. If the leak detection triangle is moving, you may have a leak
- Check for pooling water under your sinks, around your dishwasher, refrigerator with an ice maker, your water heater and your washing machine.
Watch a video related to fixing common leaks in your household.
Rain Barrels
A rain barrel is an above-ground container that captures and stores rain for non-potable uses such as watering gardens or washing cars. Rain barrels reduce stormwater runoff and reduce the amount of water that may settle around the foundation of your home.
Find resources on how to make a rain barrel.
Lawn Care
During cooler months in fall and winter, your lawn doesn’t need watering every week. It’s the best time to train your yard to need less water! Only water your lawn every other week and only if it needs it.
If your lawn does require watering, do so early in the morning or later in the evening, when temperatures are cooler. Position sprinklers so water lands on the lawn and shrubs and not on paved areas. Check sprinkler systems and timing devices regularly to be sure they operate properly.
For the lawn, you’ll spot these signals if it needs water:
- Leaf blades are folded in half lengthwise.
- Grass has a blue-gray hue instead of bright green.
- Lawn does not bounce back as quickly after footprints and tire tracks are made.
Smart fertilizing
Excess nutrients from fertilizers can wash into lakes, rivers, springs, estuaries and other water bodies causing:
- Algae blooms that reduce water clarity and create extreme fluctuations in dissolved oxygen
- Stress on aquatic life, including fish, amphibians and insects
- Long-term damage to Florida’s ecosystems
Visit NorthPortFL.gov/Fertilizer to find more resources.
Check for outdoor leaks
Common places to look for outdoor leaks include:
Irrigation system: Check for water pooling around the base of your sprinkler or spray heads, which indicates a loose seal. Also, look for broken or misdirected spray heads that are spraying water into the air or onto sidewalks and driveways.
Outdoor spigots: Inspect for excess water dripping from spigots or hose connections. Tighten the connection or use plumber’s tape to fix the leak.
Underground piping: Look for water buildup on your lawn or low water pressure in certain areas when running your irrigation, which can indicate a broken or loose underground pipe.
Conduct routine checks for leaks in these areas to prevent water waste and potential damage.
More lawn care resources