Utilities Department

South Florida is continuing to experience extremely dry conditions.  As of February 28, 2009, the 2008 – 2009 dry season is the driest since record-keeping began in 1932.  The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) recorded a rainfall deficit from November 2008 through February 2009 of 6.65 inches, or about one-quarter of the historical average.  Forecasters are predicting below-average rainfall conditions to continue through at least April. 

Ground and surface water levels in much of the District’s 16-county jurisdiction are continuing to decline.  In many areas, those levels are lower than the extremes observed at this time over the last two years, when South Florida was experiencing a severe multi-year drought.  If the region does not receive adequate rainfall in the coming months, conditions are likely to worsen.

Conservation is as critical as ever to protecting the water supply that supports more than 7.5 million people in South Florida.  We must emphasize how critical the current two days-per-week irrigation restrictions are.  Strict observation of these restrictions, along with additional voluntary cutbacks in water use may be helpful in avoiding additional mandatory restrictions should conditions continue to decline.

Help conserve water and save money too!

For great tips and additional information, click the links below.

• Everglades 4Ever Restoration Program
• South Florida Water Management
• SFWMD REDUCE YOUR USE No Excuse!
• Environmental Protection Agency
• Broward County Water Matters
• NatureScape
• Integrated Water Resource Plan
• Know the Flow

Current water restrictions

Lawn irrigation for all property sizes is allowed TWO days a week, on the following schedule:

Residents and businesses with an ODD numbered street address (ending in 1, 3, 5, 7, 9) - lawn watering is permitted on WEDNESDAYS and SATURDAYS from 12 a.m. to 10 a.m. and/or from 4 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.

Residents and businesses with an with an EVEN numbered street address (ending in (0, 2, 4, 6, 8*), no street address, or who water both even and odd addresses within the same zones, including multi-family units and Homeowner Associations - lawn watering is permitted on THURSDAYS and SUNDAYS from 12 a.m. to 10 a.m. and/or from 4 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.

Residents should CHOOSE from ONE of TWO "watering windows" on their designated irrigation days. For the most efficient use of water, residents should AVOID irrigating during both time periods on the same day.

The SFWMD recommends the efficient use of water, which includes placing a maximum of about three-quarters of an inch to an inch of water once per week on lawns and accomplishing irrigation during the early morning hours when temperatures and wind speed are the lowest to reduce evaporation losses.

Other important water restriction and conservation information:

To encourage compliance during the Phase II restriction period, a 30 percent surcharge is added to all water consumption past the first consumption block (6,000 gallons for a residential 5/8” meter) and is added to ALL sprinkler classes.

We strongly encourage residents to be mindful of their water use and be thoughtful of ways you can save water. If the residents and businesses of Plantation can permanently reduce our per capita water consumption, we may be able to significantly delay or eliminate altogether the need for costly alternative water supply projects. The most inexpensive alternative water supply project is CONSERVATION.

For more information about current water restrictions and water conservation tips, please visit Savewaterfl.com or call the South Florida Water Management District Water Shortage hotline at (800) 662-8876.

For billing questions, please call the Plantation Utilities Customer Service office at (954) 797-2290.