Pompano Beach FL Water Restrictions 2026

Current water restrictions in Pompano Beach, Florida

Pompano Beach operates under the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) year-round mandatory schedule: 2 days per week by address parity, with watering allowed only between 12 a.m.–10 a.m. or 4 p.m.–11:59 p.m. The schedule is permanent across SFWMD's service area.

Pompano Beach sits along the Atlantic coast in eastern Broward County, between Boca Raton to the north and Fort Lauderdale to the south, with population approximately 113,500. The city has been undergoing one of the most significant redevelopment booms in South Florida over the past decade. The Pompano Beach Boulevard and Atlantic Boulevard corridors — historically lined with low-density beachfront motels, single-story commercial properties, and post-WWII single-family homes — are seeing extensive high-rise condominium and mixed-use construction. The redevelopment is reshaping the city's population density, water demand, and landscape footprint simultaneously.

From a water-management perspective, the redevelopment cuts in two directions. Per-unit irrigation demand drops when single-family homes with quarter-acre lawns are replaced with high-rise condos that have shared landscaped courtyards. But total building water demand rises with the same buildings — more residents, more units, more bathrooms, more dishwashers. Net effect on outdoor irrigation: substantially lower across the city. Net effect on potable demand: substantially higher. The SFWMD year-round schedule applies to outdoor irrigation specifically and reflects only one piece of the broader water-balance equation.

Pompano Beach has invested in aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) technology — engineered systems that bank excess wet-season treated water in the deeper Floridan Aquifer for withdrawal during dry-season demand peaks. ASR is one of the more sophisticated water-management tools in South Florida and is part of the city's long-term resilience strategy alongside reclaimed water and conservation programs.

The city's coastal position along the Intracoastal Waterway and Atlantic Ocean means saltwater intrusion is a continuous concern for the Biscayne Aquifer wellfield. Wells are sited and operated to stay inland of the freshwater–saltwater interface, with continuous monitoring and operational adjustments as conditions evolve.

Watering schedule and allowed 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.

• High-rise residential and commercial: commercial schedule, also 2 days per week. Most new high-rise courtyard landscapes use reclaimed water where the building is connected.
• Hotels and beach hospitality: commercial schedule.
• New sod and seed: 30-day establishment variance available through Pompano Beach Utilities.

Violation fines and enforcement

Pompano Beach enforces the SFWMD schedule through Code Compliance and Pompano Beach Utilities:

• First violation: a written warning.
• Second and subsequent violations: civil fines per city code.
• Persistent violators: escalating fines.

To report a violation, call Pompano Beach Utilities at 954-786-4000 or use the city's online reporting form.

Other outdoor water rules

• Watering during measurable rain: prohibited. Rain sensors required on automatic systems under Florida Statute § 373.62.
• Excessive runoff: water sheeting onto streets, sidewalks, or storm drains is a violation regardless of day or hour.
• 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 Pompano Beach's water comes from — and ASR

Pompano Beach Utilities draws drinking water from the Biscayne Aquifer through municipal wells located inland from the saltwater interface. The Biscayne Aquifer beneath eastern Broward County is productive but heavily exposed to saltwater intrusion concerns due to coastal proximity and sea-level rise.

The city's aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) program is one of the more notable infrastructure investments in South Florida:

• Wet-season banking: during the rainy summer months, when treated water supply exceeds demand, the city pumps excess treated water into a deeper Floridan Aquifer storage zone through an ASR well.
• Dry-season recovery: during the dry winter months, when demand peaks (driven by tourism and snowbird population), the city pumps the stored water back out of the ASR well for use.
• Net effect: the Biscayne Aquifer's shallow supply is supplemented by stored Floridan reserves, smoothing seasonal demand spikes and providing a measurable resilience buffer.

ASR is engineering-intensive and not every municipality has the geology to support it. Pompano Beach's position over both the productive Biscayne Aquifer and a viable Floridan storage zone makes ASR feasible. The city's investment in ASR has been a model for similar programs elsewhere in South Florida.

Pompano Beach also operates a reclaimed-water system that distributes treated wastewater for parks, golf courses, and select commercial properties. Reclaimed water and ASR work together as complementary tools for stretching the city's overall water budget.

HOA and brown lawn protections

Florida Statute § 720.3075 protects homeowners from HOA enforcement actions for compliance with declared water-conservation measures. The statute applies in Pompano Beach's many condominium associations and master-planned communities.

Sample HOA response:

"Dear [HOA Board], the City of Pompano Beach operates under the South Florida Water Management District year-round schedule limiting outdoor irrigation to 2 days per week. My lawn reflects compliance with that schedule. Under Florida Statute § 720.3075, the Association may not enforce a covenant inconsistent with the District's water-conservation measures. Please withdraw the violation. Sincerely, [Your name]"

Lawn care for coastal Pompano Beach

Pompano Beach lies in USDA Hardiness Zone 10b. Common turf and landscape options:

St. Augustine 'Floratam' is the standard choice for coastal Pompano Beach — salt-tolerant and adapted to the sandy soils typical of the Atlantic shoreline.

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

Mulch beds heavily. Pine straw and bark mulch reduce evaporation in coastal sandy soils.

For high-rise courtyards: landscape decisions are typically managed by HOA boards or property managers. Tenants and unit owners can ask about the building's reclaimed-water status and landscape contractor irrigation schedule.

Pompano Beach water restriction FAQ

What is aquifer storage and recovery (ASR)?

ASR is engineered water-banking. During the rainy summer months when treated-water supply exceeds demand, the city pumps excess treated water into a deeper Floridan Aquifer storage zone through an ASR well. During the dry winter months when demand peaks, the city pumps the stored water back out for use. The net effect is to smooth seasonal demand spikes and provide measurable supply resilience. Pompano Beach's position over both productive Biscayne Aquifer (for shallow supply) and viable Floridan storage zone (for ASR) makes the technology feasible here.

What days can I water in Pompano Beach?

Two days per week, by address. Odd addresses water Wednesday and Saturday. Even addresses water Thursday and Sunday. Watering allowed only 12 a.m.–10 a.m. or 4 p.m.–11:59 p.m.

How does the redevelopment boom affect water?

Replacing low-density beachfront with high-rise condos reduces per-unit irrigation demand (smaller landscapes per unit) but increases total building water demand (more units, more bathrooms, more residents). On balance, outdoor water demand declines while indoor potable demand rises. The SFWMD schedule applies specifically to outdoor irrigation.

Is reclaimed water exempt?

No. SFWMD restrictions apply to all water sources used for landscape irrigation including reclaimed water.

Is the Biscayne Aquifer safe from saltwater intrusion?

Pompano Beach's wellfields are sited inland from the saltwater interface and are continuously monitored. The freshwater–saltwater interface has moved inland over decades, accelerated by sea-level rise. The city operates within current safe-yield limits and uses ASR to supplement the Biscayne supply with deeper Floridan storage.

Can the city escalate to additional restrictions?

Yes. SFWMD can issue Water Shortage Warnings or Orders that layer on top of the year-round schedule. As of 2026, no additional declaration is in place for Broward County.

How long will the year-round schedule last?

It is permanent. The schedule is the baseline rule for SFWMD's service area.

What time can I water in Pompano Beach?

Watering is allowed 12am-10am or 4pm-11:59pm. Watering outside these hours is a violation even on your assigned day.

What are the fines for watering violations in Pompano Beach?

First offense: Warning first offense. Repeat violations: Fines per city code. Contact SFWMD / City of Pompano Beach Utilities for the full enforcement schedule.

When will water restrictions end in Pompano Beach?

Current Year-Round Mandatory — SFWMD 2 Days/Week restrictions are in effect through Year-round (permanent SFWMD schedule). Monitor https://www.sfwmd.gov/community-residents/landscape-irrigation for the latest status.

Can I hand water during Pompano Beach 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 SFWMD / City of Pompano Beach Utilities.

How do I report a water waste violation in Pompano Beach?

Contact SFWMD / City of Pompano Beach Utilities at 954-786-4000 or visit https://www.sfwmd.gov/community-residents/landscape-irrigation. Most utilities accept online reports and respond within 48 hours.