As of Sunday, Alachua County residents are restricted to watering their lawns once a week.
The change in restriction, which occurs twice a year at daylight savings time, is implemented and enforced by the county, said Stacie Greco, the Alachua County Environmental Protection Department water conservation coordinator. The State Water Management District sets the restrictions.
“The goal is water conservation and to help protect our groundwater,” Greco said. “As the weather gets colder, people don’t need to water as much, so the state adjusts the restrictions.”
Greco said residents often reach out to the department to combat overwatering.
“We get lots of calls from neighbors, businesses and community members who call in to report that they see someone not following the restrictions,” Greco said. “We always investigate those cases.”
If residents do not comply, the EPD sends out a notice reminding the resident of the regulation. Greco said that if there is no change, it results in a $50 to $200 fine.
“With the public, we like to take the educational route to dealing with problems,” she said.
Greco said residents are generally good about obeying the regulation because it helps the environment and helps them save money.
William Graham, a Gainesville resident, said he has no problem with the restrictions.
“I’ve lived with this for quite a while and survived,” the 88-year-old said. “It’s for the good of the planet.”
