FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Water-use restrictions have been implemented in southwest Florida at the order of area water-supply managers concerned about persisting dry conditions. The restrictions, the first ordered by the South Florida Water Management District in two years, are intended to reduce residential and business lawn-watering times to three days a week.
The restrictions were approved by the district's Board of Governors and affect Lee County, most of Collier County, and parts of Hendry and Glades counties.
People worried about lawns and crops pump more water from underground wells during dry weather, lowering groundwater levels.
The last time such restrictions were ordered, in 1997, there was a 12 percent drop in water use in the district, said Kurt Harclerode, a district spokesman. The goal is about 15 percent.
The restrictions specify that people at odd-numbered addresses may water Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday and those at even-numbered addresses may water Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday.
No watering is allowed on Friday. The restrictions also specify that watering is allowed between 4 a.m. and 8 a.m. Additional watering between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. is limited to one person using a hose with an automatic-shutoff nozzle.
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