LIVE OAK, FLA., OCTOBER 31, 2025 – When daylight savings time ends this Sunday, the Suwannee River Water Management District (District) wants to remind residents that the clocks aren’t the only thing to set back. Residents are encouraged to shift landscape irrigation to once per week to correspond with the time change.
This irrigation schedule will remain in effect throughout the winter months until daylight savings time begins in 2026, on Sunday, March 8.
Landscape irrigation accounts for the largest percentage of household water use in the State of Florida, and as increased demands are placed upon our water resources, we must make water conservation a way of life. Additionally, dry conditions like those currently present around the District due to a lack of rainfall, further stress the need for water conservation.
Cooler temperatures and shorter days call for less watering in the winter due to slower growth and less evaporation.
The irrigation schedule applies to residential landscaping; public, commercial, and industrial property; hotels and motels; and public medians.
Key guidelines include:
- Irrigation shall not occur between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
- No more than 3/4 inch of water may be applied per irrigation zone.
- Water no more than 1 hour per irrigation zone.
- Odd numbered or no address locations are permitted to water on Saturdays (Address ending in the numbers 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 or the letters N-Z);
- Even numbered address locations are permitted to water on Sundays (Address ending in the numbers 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 or letters A-M); and
- Non-residential properties are permitted to water on Tuesdays.
Businesses and residents are encouraged to use Florida-Friendly Landscape principles and skip watering when it rains close to a scheduled irrigation day. Agricultural and other large irrigation uses maintain year-round guidelines through the District’s water use permitting program.
More information on lawn and landscape irrigation measures can be found on the District website at https://www.mysuwanneeriver.com/337/Lawn-Landscape-Irrigation-Measures.
The mission of the Suwannee River Water Management District is to protect and manage water resources using science-based solutions to support natural systems and the needs of the public. Headquartered in Live Oak, Florida, the District serves 15 surrounding north-central Florida counties.
For more information about the District, visit www.MySuwanneeRiver.com or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X.
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