Not sure which nights your sprinklers can run in Lakewood Estates? You are not alone. Reclaimed water rules can vary by address, and they sometimes change during outages or drought advisories. This quick guide shows you how to confirm your exact watering days, set your timer the right way, and respond to temporary advisories so your landscape stays healthy and compliant. Let’s dive in.
Lakewood Estates reclaimed water basics
Reclaimed water in Lakewood Estates comes from local utilities. Depending on your parcel and hookups, your service may be provided by the City of St. Petersburg Utilities or by Pinellas County Utilities. It is treated non-potable water intended for irrigation and other approved uses.
Schedules here are assigned by address to balance system demand. Utilities commonly use odd or even addresses, last-digit groupings, or fixed weekday groups to set watering days. Some multi-family or HOA properties use different schedules or master meters, so do not assume your neighbor’s days match yours.
The purple pipes and valve covers on your property usually mark a reclaimed water line. Your monthly bill or online utility account is the primary source for your assigned days and permitted watering hours. If your home is new to the system or recently transferred service, the utility can confirm your starting schedule.
How to find your schedule
Start with your utility paperwork. Many homeowners see watering days printed on the bill or displayed in the online account portal. You can also check the City of St. Petersburg or Pinellas County reclaimed water pages for schedule charts, maps, or FAQs. If you still have questions, call customer service and ask them to verify your address-based schedule.
If you have an HOA or property manager and irrigation is covered by them, ask for the group’s current schedule and how they handle alerts or outages. Walk your property for on-site clues too. Some controllers, valves, or tags list the utility account number or schedule group.
What to have ready when you call
- Exact service address and parcel ID if available.
- Whether your irrigation uses a separate reclaimed meter or a master meter.
- Details about your controller, including if it has an automatic potable backup.
How alerts are shared
Utilities often post temporary advisories and maintenance notices on their websites and social channels. Many offer email or text alerts. Ask your provider how they communicate outages, quality advisories, and drought-related restrictions, and sign up for those alerts so you do not miss an update.
Set your timer the right way
Most reclaimed systems limit irrigation to overnight or late-evening hours to reduce evaporation and runoff. Typical windows are early morning, such as midnight to 6 a.m. Since hours can differ by utility and even by zone, confirm the permitted time window for your address before you program your controller.
Water during the early morning whenever possible. This helps plants absorb moisture and lowers the risk of disease. Avoid midday watering, which wastes water through evaporation and can violate local rules.
Best practices for St. Pete lawns
- Water only as needed. Warm-season turf often needs about 0.5 to 1 inch of water per week under normal conditions, but actual needs vary by grass type, soil, and weather.
- Use cycle-and-soak. Split each zone’s run time into shorter cycles with pauses in between. This reduces runoff and improves infiltration, especially on compacted or clay soils.
- Measure output. Place a rain gauge or catch cups in a zone during a test run to see how much water your system applies per minute. Adjust run times so weekly totals match your target.
- Add smart controls. Consider a smart or ET-based controller that reduces watering after rain or during cooler periods. Ensure your rain or soil-moisture sensor is installed, connected, and working.
- Maintain the system. Inspect heads seasonally for alignment, pressure, and coverage. Repair leaks and broken heads quickly to prevent waste and avoid violations.
Seasonal tips for Pinellas County
Summer rains often meet or exceed weekly turf needs, so you may not need to run scheduled irrigation as often during the rainy season. In cooler, drier months, supplemental watering can help, but you still want to water deeply and less often to encourage healthy roots. Watch turf color and soil moisture rather than following a rigid timer all year.
What to do during advisories and outages
Advisories happen for a few reasons: planned maintenance, pressure or supply issues, rare water-quality concerns, or drought rules from regional water-management districts. When you receive an advisory, read it closely and follow instructions right away.
- Stop using reclaimed water if instructed. If quality is in question or the system is down for repairs, turn off irrigation as directed.
- Know your backup. If your controller can switch to potable water, check local rules before doing so. During certain advisories or drought orders, potable irrigation may be restricted or discouraged. If it is allowed, use it sparingly and follow potable conservation rules.
- Protect your plants without overwatering. If you do not have a backup, hand-water high-value plants with potable water as permitted. Mulch around roots and use temporary shade for tender plants during heat waves.
- Keep records. Note the start and end of the advisory, and save any emails or texts from the utility. A simple log can help if you need to show compliance to an HOA or the utility.
If you have potable backup
- Verify that switching is permitted during the advisory.
- Update your controller settings to run only within potable watering rules.
- Track usage to avoid high bills and to stay within any conservation limits.
If you do not have backup
- Hand-water only priority plants as allowed by potable rules.
- Increase mulch depth to retain soil moisture.
- Delay fertilizer or new plantings until service returns.
Health and safety reminders
Reclaimed water is non-potable. Do not drink it or use it for food preparation or filling pools. Avoid allowing runoff to pool where people or pets gather. Follow any additional contact guidance included in the advisory.
After service resumes
Wait for the official “service restored” notice from your utility before restarting irrigation. Then:
- Flush lines briefly if your utility recommends it to clear stagnant water.
- Walk your system while it runs to look for leaks or broken heads caused by pressure changes during repairs.
- Confirm that your schedule and permitted hours are unchanged. If rules changed during the advisory, update your controller and post the new days near the panel.
Stay compliant and avoid fines
Most violations are preventable with a few habits:
- Water only on your assigned days and within permitted hours.
- Fix misaligned or broken heads that spray sidewalks or streets.
- Maintain required backflow prevention devices and keep test results on file if your utility requires them.
- Do not use reclaimed water for unintended purposes like indoor use or pools.
Utilities may issue warnings, fines, or require corrections for repeated or serious violations. Keeping your schedule posted by the controller and signing up for alerts makes compliance much easier.
Lakewood Estates homeowner checklist
- Confirm your service provider and schedule. Check your utility bill or online account, or call customer service to verify your assigned days for your exact address.
- Note your watering days and hours. Post them by your controller so guests or contractors do not change settings by mistake.
- Program early-morning runs. Keep watering within the permitted windows and use cycle-and-soak to reduce runoff.
- Use smart features and sensors. Install a rain or soil-moisture sensor and make sure it works with your controller.
- Sign up for utility alerts. Choose email or text so you get outage or advisory notices in real time.
- During advisories, pause irrigation. Ask your utility about potable backup rules. Protect high-value plants with hand watering or mulch if allowed.
- Keep a simple log. Record advisory dates and any utility messages for reference with HOAs or future questions.
- Test backflow devices annually if required. Keep documentation on file per local ordinance.
Taking care of your irrigation system protects your landscape and helps the entire neighborhood conserve water. It also supports curb appeal, which matters when it is time to sell. If you want local guidance from a St. Pete advisor who understands both the neighborhood and the practical side of homeownership, reach out to Unknown Company to Schedule a Free Consultation.
FAQs
How do I confirm my reclaimed-water schedule in Lakewood Estates?
- Check your utility bill or online account first, then review your City or County reclaimed water pages, and call customer service with your exact address if you need confirmation.
Why is my neighbor’s watering day different from mine?
- Schedules are assigned by address or zone, and nearby homes can be on different groups. Always follow your assigned days rather than copying a neighbor.
What hours can I irrigate with reclaimed water in St. Petersburg?
- Utilities commonly allow overnight or early-morning windows, such as around midnight to early morning. The exact hours vary, so verify permitted times for your address before setting your timer.
What should I do if there is a reclaimed-water outage?
- Pause irrigation immediately, confirm whether potable backup is allowed, hand-water priority plants as permitted, and keep a simple record of the advisory until service is restored.
Is reclaimed water safe for pets and kids?
- It is non-potable, so do not drink it or use it for food prep or pools. Avoid letting irrigation runoff pool where people or pets spend time, and follow any advisory guidance.
Who enforces reclaimed-water rules in Pinellas County?
- Local utilities set and enforce the rules. They may issue warnings, fines, or require fixes for repeated or serious violations, so follow your assigned schedule and permitted hours.
