By Robert C. Solera, Community Development Director

At the March 19, 2009 City Commission meeting, the Commission designated the month of April as “Water Conservation Month.” The Commission members issued a proclamation and presented it to Ed Hernandez, Director of the South Florida Water Management District’s Miami-Dade Service Center (see photo).

Florida continues suffering from a shortage of water. With the rainy season not starting until May, and the last three months being the driest we have had in a long time, the fire danger is very high. Be conscious of this fact.

Please do not drop any cigarette remains in the street or in grassy areas of our City (or anywhere) as it may start a fire. A combination of low humidity and lack of rain as well as a couple of very cold days have created dryer than normal conditions.

The City of Sunny Isles Beach, through its Community Development Department’s Code Enforcement Section, continues to enforce the regulations as set forth by the South Water Management District. The following is a synopsis of the regulations we are all to follow:

Landscape Irrigation
Restrictions apply to all sources of water – from a utility, a private well or withdrawals from a canal, lake or pond.

All Property Sizes:
Landscape irrigation for all property types and sizes is allowed two days a week on this schedule:

ODD-number address:
Wednesday and Saturday – 12 a.m.(midnight) to 10 a.m. AND/OR 4 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.

EVEN-number address, no street address, systems that irrigate both odd and even address within the same zones, including multi-family units, homeowners associations and commercial complexes/retail shopping centers:

Thursday and Sunday 12 a.m. (midnight) to 10 a.m. AND/OR 4 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.

For the most efficient use of water, avoid irrigating during both time periods on the same day. Most lawns need only 3/4 to 1 inch of water per week.

Watering is not allowed between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Low-volume systems such as drip, bubble and micro-jet systems that apply water directly to root plant zones may be used any time.

New Plantings, Sod or Landscape
New landscaping should be installed within a reasonable time from the date of purchase and verified with a receipt or invoice.

All Property Sizes:
In place on first day:

New landscaping can be watered without regard to restrictions on the first day it is installed.
In place from 2 days to 30 days:

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday AND/OR Sunday (any days except Friday):
12 a.m. (midnight) to 10 a.m. AND/OR 4 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
In place from 31 days to 60 days:

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, AND/OR Saturday:
12 a.m. (midnight) to 10 a.m. AND/OR 4 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
Additional watering days can only be used to benefit new landscaping, and an entire irrigation system zone may only be watered if it contains at least 50% new landscaping. If less than 50%, use targeted or hand-watering.

Hand Watering
For stressed plants, 10 minutes per day on any day using a single hose with an attached automatic shut-off nozzle.

This information is from the South Florida Water Management District. For more information visit their web site at: www.sfwmd.gov.

Direct any questions or concerns regarding water restrictions in the City of Sunny Isles Beach to the Community Development Department:
Call 305.792.1705.

Visit our offices between 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at:
Sunny Isles Beach Government Center Floor 3
18070 Collins Avenue
Sunny Isles Beach, FL 33160