Water Restrictions Tightened in Tampa

The rules of the game have changed for customers of the Tampa Water Department. Starting today, lawns may only be watered one day a week.

The city tightened its water restrictions in response to the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s modified Phase II Water Shortage Emergency declaration. The new restrictions affect homes and businesses within the city’s limits. They apply to those using the city’s water system, well and surface water to irrigate their lawns. Reclaimed water users are not included.

Tampa water customers who live in unincorporated Hillsborough need to follow Hillsborough County Water Resource Services restrictions. For information on those rules, call 813-275-7094.

"Conditions continue to be drier than normal across the Tampa Bay area and Tampa is being asked to do its part to keep conditions from worsening," said Brad Baird, Tampa Water Department director, in a media release. "As we transition to a once-a-week irrigation schedule, we encourage all residents, businesses, and visitors to voluntarily reduce water consumption and eliminate unnecessary and wasteful water use."

This is the new schedule for lawn watering:

• Addresses ending in 0 or 1 may irrigate on Mondays
• Addresses ending in 2 or 3 may irrigate on Tuesdays
• Addresses ending in 4 or 5 may irrigate on Wednesdays
• Addresses ending in 6 or 7 may irrigate on Thursdays
• Addresses ending in 8 or 9 may irrigate on Fridays

The new rules also put these restrictions on water use, according to the press release:

• Hand-watering and micro-irrigation on non-turf may occur any day but must be
• completed before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m.
• Fountains and other aesthetic water features may operate up to four hours
• per day, as posted.
• Car washing is limited to once per week on the designated watering day for
• the location.
• Pressure washing for aesthetic purposes is limited to once annually and may
• be accomplished as needed for necessary purposes only.

The Penalties
Tampa enforces its restrictions 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. Citations are now issued on the very first violation, which means no warnings are issued. Fines can rise to $450 and may include mandatory court appearances.

For more information about Tampa restrictions, call 813-274-8121 or visit www.TampaGov.net/waterrestrictions.