Tighter Water Restrictions In Effect

By Matt Wiley

As the New Tampa area gets into the heart of the dry season, increased water restrictions now are in effect from the Southwest Florida Water Management District, or “Swiftmud.”

According to a December 17 Swiftmud announcement, Phase II Water Shortage Restrictions were set to go into effect on December 26, which was just a few days after our press time. Under the tighter restrictions, lawn watering is reduced to once-per-week until March 1, 2014.

Both the City of Tampa and Hillsborough County are following suit with Swiftmud’s new restrictions.

“As we move into our dry season, river levels are declining, our rainfall has been below average, and Tampa’s supplemental water provider, Tampa Bay Water, has its regional reservoir offline for repairs,” said Tampa Water Department director Brad Baird in a December 17 press release. “Moving to a once-a-week irrigation schedule and voluntarily reducing other water uses where possible is the smart thing to do.”

For residences in both Hillsborough County and the City of Tampa, the increased restrictions allow watering between 6 p.m.-8 a.m. and watering days are determined by address.

Home addresses ending in 0 or 1 water on Mondays; addresses ending in 2 or 3 water on Tuesday; addresses ending in 4 or 5 water on Wednesday; addresses ending in 6 or 7 water on Thursday and addresses ending in 8 or 9. as well as areas without addresses (such as common areas in communities) water on Fridays.

As usual during water shortages, homeowners associations and other entities must suspend any requirement to replace lawns or engage in other activity that increases water use.