Altamonte Springs FL Water Restrictions 2026

Current water restrictions in Altamonte Springs, Florida

Altamonte Springs is operating under Modified Phase II Severe Water Shortage issued by the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD). Outdoor irrigation is limited to 1 day per week by address parity, with the standard 10 a.m.–4 p.m. midday blackout.

Altamonte Springs has long been a leader in Florida water reuse — significantly ahead of most cities in the state. In the early 1980s, the city built the APRICOT system — A Prototype Realistic Innovative Community of Today — one of the country's earliest large-scale municipal reclaimed-water distribution networks. The acronym is reverse-engineered Florida 1980s civic optimism, but the underlying infrastructure has been quietly transformative. Today, approximately 70 percent of single-family homes in Altamonte Springs receive reclaimed water for landscape irrigation through a dedicated purple-pipe system, in addition to potable water through the city's drinking-water service.

That reclaimed-water coverage is the highest of any Central Florida city and among the highest in the state. It means that on a typical Altamonte Springs lot, the water flowing out of the irrigation sprinklers is treated wastewater, not drinking water — the lawn is being watered with a resource that would otherwise be discharged. APRICOT has saved the city's potable supply for drinking, cooking, bathing, and other indoor uses, with outdoor irrigation pulled almost entirely from the reclaimed system.

Despite this infrastructure advantage, SJRWMD Phase II restrictions still apply to Altamonte Springs, including reclaimed-water customers. The District's position is that reclaimed water and potable water are part of the same regional water budget — the same Floridan Aquifer that supplies drinking water also supplies the natural recharge that ultimately keeps reclaimed-water systems sustainable. Reducing reclaimed-water use during drought reduces overall demand on the regional system. The 1-day schedule applies regardless of whether your sprinkler is fed by reclaimed water or potable water.

Altamonte Springs sits in Seminole County between Orlando and Sanford along the I-4 corridor, with population around 45,000 in a built-out suburban footprint.

Altamonte Springs's watering days and hours

Hand watering with a hose fitted with a shut-off nozzle is permitted any day, outside the daytime blackout. Drip and microirrigation for non-turf plantings are exempt from the day-of-week limit.

• APRICOT reclaimed-water customers: 1-day schedule applies. Reclaimed water is not exempt under Phase II.
• Potable water customers (the ~30% not on APRICOT): same 1-day schedule.
• New sod and seed: 60-day establishment window through SJRWMD.

Violation fines and enforcement

Altamonte Springs enforces Phase II through Code Enforcement and city utilities:

• First violation: a written warning.
• Second and subsequent violations: escalating civil fines.
• Persistent violators: service-restriction action.

To report a violation, call Altamonte Springs Utilities at 407-571-8000 or SJRWMD at 386-329-4500.

Other outdoor water rules

• Watering during measurable rain: prohibited. Rain sensors required on automatic systems.
• Excessive runoff: water sheeting onto streets, sidewalks, or storm drains is a violation.
• Pressure washing: permitted only for paint, sealant, repair, or required for health and safety.
• Vehicle washing: permitted with a hand-held hose with shut-off nozzle.

Where Altamonte Springs' water comes from — and the APRICOT system

The city's water portfolio:

• Potable supply: Floridan Aquifer through municipal wells. Treats and delivers drinking water to all customers.
• APRICOT reclaimed-water system: takes treated wastewater from the city's wastewater treatment plant, routes it through a separate purple-pipe distribution network, and delivers it to about 70 percent of single-family homes for landscape irrigation. The system also serves parks, school grounds, and select commercial common areas.

The APRICOT system was originally built in the early 1980s with federal grants and has been progressively expanded since. The dual-pipe design — separate purple pipes for reclaimed water alongside the standard blue/black potable mains — was unusual at the time and required significant retrofit investment in older neighborhoods. Newer subdivisions in Altamonte Springs were designed with reclaimed-water service from the start.

The 70-percent coverage is meaningful. In a normal year, APRICOT customers irrigate exclusively with reclaimed water, leaving the potable supply for indoor use only. The remaining 30 percent of homes — generally older neighborhoods that pre-date the APRICOT retrofit — irrigate with potable water. Both groups are now under the same Phase II 1-day schedule.

One subtle benefit of APRICOT: even with Phase II compliance, reclaimed-water customers are using water that would otherwise be discharged to surface waters or to deep injection wells. The reclaimed system is itself a form of permanent conservation regardless of any drought declaration.

HOA and brown lawn protections

Florida Statute § 720.3075 prohibits HOAs from enforcing covenants requiring irrigation inconsistent with declared water-shortage measures. The statute applies in Altamonte Springs HOA-governed subdivisions.

Sample HOA response:

"Dear [HOA Board], SJRWMD has declared Modified Phase II Severe Water Shortage. My lawn reflects compliance with that order. Under Florida Statute § 720.3075, the Association may not enforce a covenant inconsistent with the District's water-conservation measures, and the District has explicitly stated that reclaimed-water customers are not exempt. Please withdraw the violation. Sincerely, [Your name]"

Lawn care during Phase II

Altamonte Springs lies in USDA Hardiness Zone 9b. Common turf options:

Mow on the high end. St. Augustine retains moisture better at 3.5–4 inches.

Mulch beds heavily. Two to three inches of pine straw or hardwood mulch.

Brown is not dead. St. Augustine recovers with rainfall.

Altamonte Springs water restriction FAQ

I have reclaimed water — am I still restricted?

Yes. SJRWMD Phase II applies to all water sources used for landscape irrigation, including reclaimed water. The District's reasoning: reclaimed-water systems and potable systems are part of the same regional water budget — the Floridan Aquifer that supplies drinking water also provides the natural recharge that ultimately keeps reclaimed systems sustainable. Reducing reclaimed-water use during drought reduces overall demand on the regional system.

What is APRICOT?

APRICOT — A Prototype Realistic Innovative Community of Today — is Altamonte Springs' reclaimed-water distribution system, built starting in the early 1980s with federal grants. It serves approximately 70 percent of single-family homes in the city through a dedicated purple-pipe network, providing treated wastewater for landscape irrigation. APRICOT was one of the country's first large-scale municipal reclaimed-water systems and remains a reference design for similar projects.

What days can I water in Altamonte Springs?

One day per week, by address. Odd addresses water Wednesday. Even addresses water Thursday. No watering between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

How can I tell if my home is on APRICOT?

Look for purple pipe valve covers in the yard or check your water bill — APRICOT customers typically receive separate billing for reclaimed water. Newer subdivisions in Altamonte Springs were designed with reclaimed-water service from the start; older neighborhoods may or may not have been retrofitted.

Why do other cities not have APRICOT-like systems?

Reclaimed-water distribution requires a dedicated purple-pipe network — essentially a second water main running parallel to the potable system. Building that infrastructure is expensive and is most cost-effective during initial subdivision construction. Older built-out cities face significant retrofit costs. Altamonte Springs benefited from federal grants in the early 1980s and from its post-WWII suburban growth pattern that allowed parallel infrastructure to be built relatively economically.

Will APRICOT save the system from running out of water?

APRICOT permanently reduces potable demand by routing irrigation to reclaimed supply. That helps regardless of drought. During severe drought like Phase II, reduced overall demand still matters — including reclaimed demand — because the same underlying Floridan Aquifer supports both systems.

How long will Phase II last?

Until SJRWMD rescinds the order based on aquifer levels and rainfall recharge.

What time can I water in Altamonte Springs?

Watering is allowed Not 10am-4pm. Watering outside these hours is a violation even on your assigned day.

What are the fines for watering violations in Altamonte Springs?

First offense: Warning first offense. Repeat violations: Escalating fines. Contact SJRWMD / City of Altamonte Springs Utilities for the full enforcement schedule.

When will water restrictions end in Altamonte Springs?

Current Modified Phase II Severe Water Shortage restrictions are in effect through Until SJRWMD rescinds. Monitor https://www.altamonte.org for the latest status.

Can I hand water during Altamonte Springs water restrictions?

Yes. Hand watering with a hose fitted with a shut-off nozzle is generally allowed on any day during permitted hours. Drip irrigation and soaker hoses are also typically exempt from the day-of-week schedule. Confirm specifics with SJRWMD / City of Altamonte Springs Utilities.

How do I report a water waste violation in Altamonte Springs?

Contact SJRWMD / City of Altamonte Springs Utilities at 407-571-8000 or visit https://www.altamonte.org. Most utilities accept online reports and respond within 48 hours.