On January 9, 2007, Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) Executive Director David L. Moore declared a modified Phase II Severe Water Shortage which restricts lawn watering to one-day-per-week throughout the 16-county District. An average District rainfall deficit of 11.6 inches in 2006 along with abnormally low groundwater conditions and below normal streamflow in various counties earlier than usual in the dry season are the hydrologic indicators used to support the water shortage declaration.
On January 16, 2007, the Lake Wales City Commission declared a Severe Water Shortage and imposed water restriction enforcement as dictated by City Ordinance 96-06 and the City's Water Conservation Plan.
The restrictions apply to the use of water from all wells or surface water, public or private. The order went into effect on January 16 and will remain in effect until June 30, 2008 unless otherwise modified or rescinded by the Executive Director or the District Governing Board.
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LAWN WATERING RESTRICTIONS
For properties less than 2 acres in size, watering cannot occur on the designated day after 8:00 a.m. or before 6:00 p.m. For properties of two acres or more, watering cannot occur on the designated day after 10:00 a.m. or before 4 p.m. Day designations:
|
House Address Number
Ending In |
May Water Only on this Day |
| 0 or 1 |
Monday |
| 2 or 3 |
Tuesday |
| 4 or 5 |
Wednesday |
| 6 or 7 |
Thursday |
| 8 or 9* |
Friday |
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*and locations without a discernible address
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Variances are available if a property proposes an alternative irrigation plan (such as splitting a large property into two pieces and assigning a different day to each piece). Handwatering or microirrigation of non-lawn landscape is allowed. Certain exemptions are available, such as allowances for new plant material. |
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ENFORCEMENT
City police and code enforcement officers will enforce the provisions of Ordinance 96-06, Water Shortage Emergency, within the municipal limits by issuing local citations and collecting fines in the same manner as local traffic infractions are enforced. The Polk County Sheriff's Office will enforce the provisions of the ordinance within those areas of the city's utility service area that lie outside the municipal limits. A violation of the ordinance is a civil infraction and violators will be subject to the following penalties:
First Violation - $25.00
Second and Subsequent Violations - Not to exceed $500 per offense
Court Costs may be imposed as provided by law. Each day the violation continues shall be considered a separate violation.
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To obtain more complete details or to ask questions, visit the District's website at www.WaterMatters.org or call 1-800-423-1476 extension 4498 during normal business hours.
Lake Wales water customers may also contact the City of Lake Wales Customer Service office at 678-4196 for more information.
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