Water wisely

St. Petersburg is in a water caution area as defined by the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) and is committed to water conservation. Year-round water conservation restrictions are in effect for twice-a-week watering.

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Please note that the restrictions detailed below are for St. Petersburg water customers located within city limits only. Residents who live outside city limits or receive their water bill from another entity should check with their municipality, Pinellas County or the SWFWMD for their current water restrictions.

Lawn and Landscape Water Use Rules

Watering with potable (City) water, water from private wells, or private connections to surface water sources (lakes, ponds, etc.) is restricted according to property address number as follows:

• Watering of established lawns and landscapes is permitted from 5 to 9 a.m. and/or from 7 to 11 p.m. 
• Addresses ending in an EVEN number may irrigate on Tuesday and Saturday only, if necessary.
• Addresses ending in an ODD number and locations with no address may irrigate on Wednesday and Sunday only, if necessary.
• Hand watering of non-lawn landscape is allowed any day, at any time, if needed.
• Hand watering of lawn/turf is allowed ONLY during designated watering days and times.
• An automatic shutoff device must be installed on any hose and used at all times. 
• Micro-irrigation (low-flow or drip irrigation) is allowed any day, at any time, if needed.
  

ALLOWABLE WATERING DAYS – BASED ON PROPERTY ADDRESS

	MON	TUE	WED	THU	FRI	SAT	SUN
Potable (city) Water		even	odd			even	odd
Private Well or Surface Water		even	odd			even	odd
Reclaimed Water (voluntary)		even	odd	even	odd	even	odd

Users of Reclaimed Water

Attention: Dry weather protocols are currently in effect. As of May 2023, the City of St. Petersburg has enacted dry weather protocols to conserve the city’s supply of reclaimed water. The City has temporarily lowered the pressure to decrease the flow of reclaimed water coming from the City’s water reclamation facilities during the hottest times of the day so that the quantity of reclaimed water will be sufficient for irrigating overnight and in the early morning. Reclaimed water customers may notice decreased pressure coming from their sprinklers from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and are encouraged to adjust their irrigation timers and only water according to the City’s year-round reclaimed water irrigation schedule below.

Irrigation using reclaimed water is NOT currently restricted. However, due to continued drought conditions and limited supply issues, reclaimed water customers are asked to be "water wise" and water no more than three days per week. EVEN addresses should irrigate on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday; ODD addresses should irrigate on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Irrigation is suggested from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. or 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Watering during the heat of the day is inefficient as much of the water used is lost to evaporation and wind drift.  

More information about reclaimed water can be found at www.stpete.org/reclaimedwater. 

Other Water Use Rules

• Wasteful and unnecessary water use is prohibited.
• Use of an automatic shutoff device (hose nozzle) is required when using a hose for any purpose.
• Car washing is not restricted.
• Cleaning and maintenance of an irrigation system is limited to once a week. An attendant must be present. Run times cannot exceed ten (10) minutes per zone.
• Boat washing and motor flushing are allowed after usage.
• Chemicals such as pesticides, fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides applied to lawn or plants by a hired professional shall be watered in according to manufacturer's instructions within 24 hours after application. A sign showing the date of application must be visible in the yard. Allowable hours must still be followed (5 a.m. to 9 a.m. or 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.). Chemical treatments not applied by a hired professional must be watered-in on the designated watering day, during allowable times for the address.

View the St. Petersburg Watering Restrictions Fact Sheet for more details.

Variance Rules for New Landscapes

Irrigation of new plants, new sod installations, and lawn renovations (sod, plugs, and other turf grass material) with potable (City) water, private well water, and private connections to surface water sources (lakes, ponds, etc.) requires a variance granted by St. Petersburg's Water Resources Department. The new plant material may be watered on any day of the week; however, allowable watering hours are 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. or 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. 

Obtain this 30-day variance by calling 727-893-7261 and submitting appropriate documentation along with the customer’s request. Include resident’s name, address, and phone number. Eligibility requirements apply. Only one variance is allowed within a six month period. No extensions will be granted. 

Enforcement of Watering Restrictions

St. Petersburg continues to enforce watering restrictions. First-time violations observed by enforcement personnel will result in the issuance of a Warning Notice. Subsequent violations will result in a Class II municipal ordinance offense that is subject to a $180 fine, plus court costs. Court costs range from $13 for uncontested violations to $58 for contested violations. Subsequent violations are subject to higher fines as assessed by the court up to a maximum fine of $500 plus court costs.

For additional information, call the Water Watch Info Line at 727-892-5300.

Register a Private Well

Registration of private wells assists water restriction enforcement staff with accurate reporting. Register a private well online using the Private Well Registration Form or call 727-893-7261.