Watch the weather, wait to water

Posted On: June 9, 2020

Volusia County’s Environmental Management Division is encouraging residents who irrigate their lawns to take advantage of the summer rainy season and “watch the weather, wait to water.”

From July through September, yards need no more than a half-inch to three-quarters inch of water up to two times a week. If your lawn has received enough water from rainfall, turn off the irrigation system and turn it back on when needed.

The simplest way to determine if your yard needs water is to look for these visual clues:

• Grass blades are folded in half lengthwise on at least one-third of your yard.
• Grass blades appear blue-gray.
• Grass blades do not spring back, leaving footprints on the lawn for several minutes after walking on it.

Follow these water conservation tips:

• If your yard is showing signs that it needs water, check your local forecast to see if rain is on the way.
• Use a rain gauge to determine how much rain your yard has received.
• Install a rain sensor on your automatic irrigation system, and make sure it’s working properly.
• Take full advantage of the rain. Make sure gutter downspouts are directed into landscaped areas or lawn.
• Install a rain barrel to capture excess rainwater.

According to Volusia County’s water conservation ordinance, residents may water their lawns twice a week (if necessary) until standard time resumes Nov. 1, when the once-a-week schedule will return.

People who live at odd-numbered addresses may water Wednesdays and Saturdays, and people at even-numbered addresses may water Thursdays and Sundays. Businesses may water Tuesdays and Fridays. Each zone of your irrigation system may be watered no more than one hour or three-quarters of an inch a day. Watering is not permitted between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

The watering restrictions apply to all county residents, including those who live inside city limits. They cover city and county water, private wells and pumps, but do not include reclaimed water.

For more information about water conservation, visit volusia.org/water-conservation.