Clocks fall back, water rules change in Volusia County.

Written by Kristen Schmutz

Belden Communications News

As the seasonal adage goes, "Spring forward, fall back," is the familiar call to adjust our clocks for daylight-saving time transitions as standard time will resume at 2 a.m. on Sunday, November 5, 2023. To sync with this change, remember to set your clocks back an hour before bed on Saturday night.

Aside from resetting your timepieces, residents in Volusia County should be mindful of alterations to the lawn watering schedule. Beginning November 5, Volusia County's watering regulations will take effect, allowing residents to water their lawns once a week until the return of daylight-saving time on March 10, 2024, when the watering schedule will extend to twice a week.

The updated guidelines outline specific days for watering based on addresses. Those residing at odd-numbered addresses should water on Saturdays, while those with even-numbered addresses should water on Sundays. Businesses, on the other hand, can water on Tuesdays.

For responsible water usage, each irrigation zone should only water for an hour or equivalent to an accumulation of three-quarters of an inch on the designated day. Notably, watering is restricted between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., aiming to optimize efficiency and conservation.

These watering restrictions apply to all Volusia County residents, encompassing those within city limits, and extend to all water sources, including private wells and pumps. For comprehensive information on water restrictions and conservation practices, residents are encouraged to visit Volusia County's Water Conservation page.

In addition to these changes, the upcoming time shift serves as a crucial reminder to address home safety measures. As clocks are adjusted, residents should replace the batteries in smoke alarms, as studies have shown that a significant number of smoke alarms fail due to missing, dead, or disconnected batteries, potentially rendering them ineffective.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, the absence of a functioning smoke alarm contributes to two-thirds of home fire deaths. While smoke alarms remain vigilant in detecting fire and smoke, they necessitate maintenance. A smoke alarm without a working battery is as good as not having a smoke alarm. Therefore, residents should test their smoke alarms monthly and replace batteries semi-annually.