September 2010 Tampa Water Department News

Tampa's Water Use Restrictions Enforcement Returns To Normal Know Your Days – Avoid A Fine   The City of Tampa will resume issuing citations on first observance for all water use restrictions violations at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, October 4, 2010. Residents and businesses are urged to make sure they are using the correct days to avoid receiving a citation, and a fine.   When the region returned to year-round twice-a-week watering allowances at the beginning of July, assigned irrigation days changed inside Tampa's city limits. Since then the City implemented a courtesy adjustment period during which warning letters, and not citations, were issued for first time observed day-of-the-week violations. The 3-month warning period ends on Sunday.   Water Enforcement Officers patrol throughout Tampa’s city limits 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. Violating Tampa’s water use restrictions may result in fines ranging from $100 to $450 and a mandatory court appearance.   Tampa's year-round irrigation schedule is:  At addresses ending in 0, 1, 2, or 3: on Mondays and Thursdays; At addresses ending in 4, 5, or 6: on Tuesdays and Fridays; At addresses ending in 7, 8, or 9: on Wednesdays and Saturdays; At locations with no address (common areas, entry areas), and locations with mixed addresses (office complexes, shopping centers): on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Irrigation between the hours of 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. is prohibited. Micro-irrigation and other low-volume irrigation of non-turf landscaping are allowed on an as-needed basis, with no restrictions on days or times. There are also no day or time restrictions on the use of reclaimed water. More information on Tampa's water use restrictions is available online at TampaGov.net/WaterRestrictions or by calling (813) 274-8032.   For customers residing within Tampa’s reclaimed water service area now is the time to get connected. Using reclaimed water helps conserve our drinking water supply, it does not have the same restrictions for irrigation and it costs less per unit than potable (drinking) water. For more information about Tampa’s reclaimed water, visit TampaGov.net/ReclaimedWater or call (813) 282-7827   Manage Your Water Bill Tampa's average single-family residential account uses about 8 CCF per month (or about 6,000 gallons of water). You may use more or less based on the number of people living in your home and special water uses such as pools, seasonal lawn irrigation and household maintenance. Review your water use history (located on the left side of your bill) to determine if your current water use is uncharacteristic. The Water Use Calculator and the 7-day Drinking Water Challenge can help you determine your unique water use patterns. Find ways to reduce your bill by using water efficiently at www.TampaGov.net/SaveWater.  The Tampa Water Department serves a 211-square mile area with a service population of approximately 570,000 people. The Tampa Water Department’s mission is to provide superior drinking water and reclaimed water services to its customers.

A Publication of the Tampa Water Department