Counties and municipalities can always enforce tighter restrictions than Swiftmud's, but they can't allow more liberal watering than the agency. There are some exceptions to the county's new restrictions. Residents and businesses hooked up to reclaimed water can irrigate their lawns at will. New lawns and new landscaping are exempt from the restrictions for the first 30 days. And residents can hand-water existing plants or use water to apply insecticides, provided they use a minimum amount of water.
Commercial car washes that use reclaimed water also are exempt from the county's ordinance.
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