We got a lot of rain this summer but apparently it wasn’t enough, so now Swiftmud is going to extended its current watering restrictions through the end of February.
The reason that the governing board of the Southwest Florida Water Management District gave for the extended restrictions is “that we had a disappointing summer rainy season and an approaching winter that is expected to be drier than normal,” said a district news release issued this morning.
Under the restrictions, residents are asked to check their irrigation systems to make sure timers are working properly and there are no leaks.
There are no changes to watering days or times, which means lawn and landscape watering remains limited to a two-day-per-week schedule, and residents may only water before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m.
Some local governments have stricter local ordinances limiting lawn watering to one day a week or using different watering hours, so residents should always check with their local government or utility before adjusting their irrigation timers.
Lois Sorensen, manager of the district’s demand management program, said in the release. “There were improvements in October, but we are expecting a drier-than-normal winter due to the La Niña weather pattern.”
