Village of Wellington :: Florida

Main News

February 1, 2008

Mandatory Water Restrictions Still in Effect

Mandatory water restrictions have been in effect in South Florida since March 22, 2007. Prompted by the further lack of rainfall and the rapidly receding Lake Okeechobee levels, the Phase III Water Restrictions have been in effect since January 15, 2008.

Phase III is classified as an extreme water shortage declaration. Water-use restrictions DO NOT apply to the use of 100% reclaimed water. Water use restrictions DO apply to water from ALL OTHER SOURCES: public utilities; private wells; and all surface waters such as canals, lakes, ponds and rivers. All water needs to be conserved no matter the source.

Phase III requires that residents will be limited to a one-day-per-week irrigation schedule. The following are general guidelines for homes with less than five acres of land. These restrictions must be followed:

Odd street addresses may irrigate lawns and landscapes on Mondays between 4:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. or 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Even street addresses may irrigate lawns and landscapes on Thursdays between 4:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. or 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Residents and businesses with more than five acres have expanded irrigation hours, between 12:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. or 4:00 p.m. and 11:59 p.m. on their designated irrigation day.
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 will be 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).
Golf courses must reduce their allocated water use by 45 percent.

Please be advised that there are only two more weeks to make use of the Village’s Irrigation Inspection Program. This program has been made available to residents until February 15. The program was designed for all Village of Wellington residents and Utility Customers who have automatic sprinkler systems to make a request for an Irrigation Technician to review the resident’s current irrigation system settings and show the resident how to adjust, if needed, to comply with the current water restrictions. Please call 561-791-4003 between the hours of 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. to schedule an appointment. Please make use of this valuable service. For all other matters regarding water restrictions and enforcement please call the Code Compliance Hotline on 753-2560.

Village of Wellington Code Compliance Officers regularly work nights and weekends and will be enforcing water restrictions. Due to the severity of the drought, warnings will not be issued. Fines for violations of mandatory water restrictions are based on the adopted fee schedule in the Village Code of Ordinances. Fines for violations in the Village of Wellington are $75.00 for the first offense and $250.00 for repeat violations.

For additional information refer to the Village’s website at www.ci.wellington.fl.us or Channel 18 For full details of specific restrictions or water conservation tips, please visit the SFWMD website: www.sfwmd.gov.

Mayor Tom Wenham, Vice Mayor Bob Margolis, along with Council Members Lizbeth Benacquisto, Laurie Cohen and Dr Carmine Priore, are pleased to bring exciting and innovative programs to the Village, always looking for ways to improve services for all its residents. For information on other Village programs, events, and activities, please visit the website at www.ci.wellington.fl.us or watch Channel 18 for the latest Village happenings.

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