Lee County reported that Feb. 1 was the start of the implementation of a one-day-a-week watering schedule. It encourages residents in unincorporated areas like Captiva to visit its Water Smart website, which has been refreshed to reflect the recent change to the county Water Conservation Ordinance.

The website is at www.leegov.com/watersmart.

The Lee County Commission voted on Jan. 16 to amend the ordinance to one-day-a-week watering from the beginning of February through the end of May to conserve water and protect the aquifers.

Odd-numbered addresses may only water on Saturdays and even-numbered addresses and common areas may water on Sundays. No watering can occur from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Typically, the aquifers peak toward the end of rainy season and show the most stress during the April through May timeframe.

The county has launched an informational and interactive campaign featuring Captain Conservation to help the community understand ways to conserve water and the importance of doing so. For example, it created downloadable, educational coloring pages for youths. Visit the Water Smart website for details.

The county has had a water conservation ordinance for unincorporated communities since 2005. Last year, the county worked with the South Florida Water Management District to raise concerns with water levels within the area’s aquifers.

While the county ordinance applies to those in unincorporated Lee, a comprehensive list of the local rules for all additional areas can be found at www.sfwmd.gov/mywateringdays.

All local ordinances have provisions for enforcement of violations, which vary by community. People in unincorporated Lee who irrigate outside the permissible days and hours can receive a warning on a first offense and fines following a warning; however, the main objective is education of the ordinance. Neighborhood groups, Homeowners Associations and others are encouraged to share the above link.