In Florida, rainfall supplies most of the water we use for drinking, bathing, cooking and performing all sorts of activities. There are seasonal and geographic variations in rainfall, and sometimes these variations lead to water shortages.

About half of the water used in all homes is used outdoors, often wastefully, by over-watering lawns and gardens. Ironically, the demand for water tends to be highest during the cooler months of the 7-month dry season (November - May) when rainfall is most scarce. 

Although rainfall levels have improved in Miami-Dade County, water levels in Lake Okeechobee -- our emergency water supply -- continue to be low.

Because of the recent rains, Water Restrictions have been modified throughout South Florida, including Miami-Dade County.

Important Points:

• The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) issued a Modified Phase II Severe Water Shortage Order effective April 18, 2008: 
• In Miami-Dade County, residents with odd-numbered addresses may irrigate lawns and landscapes on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 12 a.m. to 9 a.m. and/or 5 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. 
• In Miami-Dade County, residents with even-numbered addresses may irrigate lawns and landscapes on Thursdays and Sundays from 12 a.m. to 9 a.m. and/or 5 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
  • Please notice these times differ slightly from the times allowed by SFWMD because a Miami-Dade County ordinance prohibits lawn watering from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  So the restrictions listed above ONLY apply to Miami-Dade residents. 
• SFWMD and Miami-Dade County recommend the efficient use of water, which includes placing a maximum of about three-quarters of an inch to an inch of water once per week on lawns and accomplishing irrigation during the early morning hours when temperatures and wind speed are the lowest to reduce evaporation losses. 
• Hand-watering with one hose fitted with an automatic shut-off nozzle is allowed for 10 minutes per day for landscape stress relief and to prevent plant die-off.
• Low-volume irrigation, including the use of drip and microjet systems that apply water directly to plant root zones, is not restricted but should be voluntarily reduced.
• Additional watering days and times are allocated for the establishment of new lawns and landscapes
• No restrictions apply to other outside water uses, such as for car and boat washing, pressure cleaning of paved surfaces, decorative fountains and water-based recreation (e.g. swimming pools, water slides).

In addition to the modified water use restrictions where applicable, residents in all areas of Miami-Dade County are encouraged to voluntarily save water both inside and outside the home.

Additional information may be obtained by calling the SFWMD's Miami-Dade Service Center at 305-377-7274, the SFWMD's toll-free Water Conservation Hotline at 800-662-8876 or the Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department Water-Use Efficiency number at 786-552-8974.