Water-Use Restrictions
The City of Sunrise supports the all-year, two-day-a-week landscape irrigation restrictions imposed by the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) and the Broward County Environmental Protection Department and Growth Management.
In order to help manage our water resources, the City is implementing a Water Conservation Program; planning for the development and funding of alternative water supply projects; and focusing on other critical renewal and replacement initiatives.
The current water use restrictions are being enforced in our City with the assistance of the Sunrise Police Department and Sunrise Code Enforcement. Pursuant to City ordinance, fines of up to $250 may be assessed for violation of these restrictions.
An overview of the residential restrictions is provided below. For additional details, residents and business owners are invited to visit the SFWMD Web site.
Residential Water-Use Restrictions:
For homes with addresses that end in an ODD number (1, 3, 5, 7 or 9), lawn watering is permitted on Wednesdays and Saturdays between 12:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m., and/or between 4:00 p.m. and 11:59 p.m.
For homes with addresses that end in an EVEN number (0, 2, 4, 6 or 8), lawn watering is permitted on Thursdays and Sundays between 12:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m., and/or between 4:00 p.m. and 11:59 p.m.
No restrictions apply to other outside water uses, such as for car and boat washing, or pressure cleaning.
The use of water for firefighting, safety, sanitation, health, medical and other essential purposes is not restricted.
Answers to some basic water-use questions are provided below:
Are low-volume watering methods allowed?
Drip, bubble and micro-jet systems and watering cans that apply water directly to root plant zones may be used any time. Water collected in cisterns and rain barrels may also be used for irrigation any time. Low-volume irrigation should not produce water runoff. Voluntary reductions in use are encouraged.
When can I wash my car or boat?
Vehicle washing is not restricted. When washing a car, park it over a non-paved or porous surface to limit water runoff, and always attach an automatic shut-off nozzle to your hose. Limit boat rinsing to 15 minutes after it has been in salt water.
My organization is scheduling a fundraising car wash. Do we need to apply for a variance?
No. There are no restrictions on vehicle washing. Always attach automatic shutoff nozzles to hoses and, if possible, channel runoff water to a grassy area or porous surface.
When can I use a pressure washer?
Pressure washing is not restricted. Use low-volume equipment that produces water pressure of 1,000 pounds per square inch to 4,000 pounds per square inch. Channel runoff water onto the grass or another non-paved surface. |
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Water Conservation Tips
Little things add up. Try one of these suggestions each day and save thousands of gallons per year:
Shower, don't bathe. You'll save up to 5,000 gallons per month if you take a five-minute shower instead of soaking in a bubble bath.
Go low flow. Purchase and install a low flow shower head and save an additional 500 gallons of water per week.
Turn off the tap. Turning off the water while you brush your teeth can save up to four gallons per minute. That adds up to 200 gallons per month for a family of four!
Reclaim your mailbox. Twenty-eight billion gallons of water is wasted each year producing and recycling junk mail. To stop pre-approved credit card and insurance offers, call 888-5-OPT-OUT from your home telephone; it will be checked against an address database. Or visit www.optoutprescreen.com. To free yourself from more than 75% of unwanted junk mail and catalogs, buy a subscription to an organization like 41 Pounds ($41 for five years) or Green Dimes ($20 for first year/$10 to renew). As a bonus, Green Dimes will even plant five trees in your name.
Test your tank. Add food coloring to the water in your toilet's tank. If it seeps into the bowl, you have a leak. Fixing the leak can save more than 600 gallons per month.
Wash only when you have a full load. Wait until you have a full load to use your dishwasher and your washing machine and you'll save up to 1,000 gallons per month.
Trash it. Throwing that tissue in the trash saves five gallons of water vs. flushing it away.
Pick your plants carefully. Choose low water or drought tolerant landscaping for significant water savings. For more tips, visit the Florida Yards Web site.
Drip. Choose a water-saving drip irrigation system for your landscaping. It not only saves water and money, it's more effective than regular sprinklers.
Be an early bird. Watering your lawn in the early morning hours when temperatures and wind speeds are at their lowest reduces evaporation and waste.
Water Audit
The average U.S. household uses approximately 69.3 gallons of water per person per day indoors, according to a survey by the American Water Works Association. Do you know how much water your family consumes? By conducting a simple household water audit, you can estimate your indoor use. This can help you target your water conservation efforts and, in turn, save money.
Use our typeable Water Audit Form , and we'll do the math!
Water Conservation Poster Contest
During the City's 2009 Summer Camp session, children age 5 to 14 participated in Sunrise's innovative "Water Wiser" program. The conservation curriculum included educational field trips, water-related crafts, and hands-on presentations about the Everglades. Children also created posters for a camp-wide art contest. Please take a moment to view the winning drawings.
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