Irrigation Rules & Tips
We must all work together to save our drinking water supply — the most precious resource on earth
We are privileged to have access to the Floridan Aquifer, one of the purest and most abundant water supplies in the country. We at GRU take great pride in using this source to provide our community with clean drinking water, but it is up to all of us to save this resource for our children.
The St. Johns River Water Management District now has two permanent rules regarding irrigation.
The first mandatory rule forbids watering between the hours of 10 AM and 4 PM for the following reasons:
- If you water your lawn before 10 AM or after 4 PM, the water seeps into the ground where plant roots and thirsty grass can drink the water
- If you water your lawn between 10 AM and 4 PM, the hottest time of day, the water is wasted — 65 percent of the water will evaporate during this time period
The second mandatory rule, effective March 1, 2006, limits residential irrigation to two days per week. For exceptions to this new rule and for further information, please visit the St. Johns River Water Management District web site.
A Lack of compliance with the rule will first result in a warning and then in monetary penalties. After receiving a warning, the monetary penalties levied by St. Johns will be:
Residential property:
- 1st violation — $50 penalty
- 2nd violation — $100 penalty
Commercial property:
- 1st violation — $100 penalty
- 2nd violation — $200 penalty
We recommend the following voluntary irrigation practices as water saving measures that will save water and money, and help you meet the mandatory rules:
- Odd numbered addresses should irrigate only on Wednesdays and Saturdays
- Even numbered addresses should irrigate only on Thursdays and Sundays
- Only irrigate when needed. If the grass does not spring back when you step on it, then watering is needed. Otherwise, it is best for both your lawn and the water supply to wait
- Avoid watering on windy days
- Install a rain shut off valve for automatic sprinklers
- Check sprinkler system valves for leaks
- When rain is not available, your grass needs water:
April through August - every three to five days
September and October - every five to seven days
During the winter - once every 10 to 14 days
