Limited rainfall, increasing irrigation demands and decreased flow in the Hillsborough River have caused Tampa’s reservoir level to decline and recover more slowly than in past years. The reservoir is Tampa’s primary drinking water source and Emergency Water Use Restrictions have been enacted to help ensure a sufficient quantity of drinking water for the Tampa community. Violating water use restrictions in Tampa may result in fines ranging from $100 to $450 and a mandatory court appearance.

By using water efficiently you may also save money. Tampa's Schedule of Rates includes a multi-tier rate structure where the price of each billing unit of water increases as the quantity of water used in a billing cycle increases. This means that using more water will result in a higher utility bill due to the increased tier charges.

These restrictions are in effect inside Tampa city limits: 

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) has declared a Level III Extreme Water Shortage for Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco counties. The following rules are in effect until December 31, 2009. SWFWMD recommends residents take what steps they can to avoid an increase in lawn and landscaping water use during this time. For additional information about the SWFWMD declaration, visit their website at www.watermatters.org.

This is only a summary of the restrictions in place under SWFWMD Executive Order 08-044 and Tampa Emergency Ordinance 2009-81. For complete information on restrictions in effect refer to the full copies of the documents and the Phase III fact sheet online at www.watermatters.org or call the District at 1-800-423-1476 (FL only).

Irrigation of Established Lawns and Landscaping:
 

Irrigation of established lawns (turfgrass) and landscaping (non-turf) is allowed one day a week.  All irrigation must be accomplished prior to 8:00 a.m. or after 6:00 p.m. Any one zone of a property may only be watered once during the allowable day, NOT both in the morning and again in the evening. These restrictions apply to all water sources, except reclaimed water, although reclaimed water customers are encouraged to use only what they need.
 

Follow the permitted day of the week watering schedule outlined in the chart below based on water source:

Irrigation of New Lawns and Landscaping:

Follow these rules for watering new lawns and landscaping. Note that all watering must be accomplished before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m.

Turfgrass - under the Severe Water Shortage declaration, the establishment period for new sod, plugs, turfgrass is limited to a period of 30 calendar days. On days 1-15, beginning the day of installation, you may water any day of the week. On days 16-30, even-numbered addresses may water on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays; odd-numbered addresses may water on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Following this period, all turfgrass is considered established, and must follow the restrictions outlined above.

Landscaping (other than turfgrass) – the establishment period is limited to 60 calendar days. On days 1-30, beginning the day of installation, you may water any day of the week. On days 31-60, even-numbered addresses may water on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays; odd-numbered addresses may water on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

Sprinkler System or Hand Water? - New plant material must cover at least 50% of an irrigation zone in order to water with an in-ground sprinkler system during the initial establishment period. If not, the new plant material must be hand watered. (Example: If you purchased one flat of grass plugs to place throughout your front yard to fill in bare spots, this would not cover 50% of an irrigation zone. Hand watering would be required.) Even if you water by hand, you must follow the same guidelines for new lawn and landscaping establishment.

Also, only those zones containing 50% new plant material may be watered, not the entire yard. (Example: If you had your entire front yard re-sodded, but not your backyard, only those zones covering the front yard could be run during the establishment period. The backyard zones would have to remain on the regular watering schedule. Most irrigation timers have an A and B program. Program A can be set for the regular watering. Program B can be programmed for multiple days to only water those zones containing the new plant material during the establishment period. After the establishment period has ended, be certain to clear all information from Program B, as these irrigation controllers are notorious for resetting after a power outage or spike and running all programs at the same time, even if Program B is turned off.
 

Low Volume Irrigation:
 

Low volume irrigation of plant materials other than lawns and grass is allowed any day, however, you must water before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m. The use must not be wasteful and unnecessary. Low volume irrigation means devices which apply a maximum of thirty (30) gallons per hour per emitter.
 

Hand Watering:
 

You may hand-water plant material other than lawns and grass on any day, as long as you do so before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m.. However, such use may not be wasteful and unnecessary. Hand watering of lawns and grass may only occur during the designated day and time for irrigation of established lawns and landscaping at that address. A hose-end sprinkler placed in the yard is not considered hand watering and is subject to the same restrictions as an in-ground sprinkler system.
 

Reclaimed Water:
 

The use of reclaimed water is not restricted, however its use must not be wasteful and unnecessary. Reclaimed water is defined by Sec. 26-67 of Tampa Code as " water that has been produced through treatment at the Howard F. Curren Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant."
 

Irrigation System Maintenance:
 

Irrigation systems may be operated during restricted hours for cleaning and maintenance purposes, but limited to ten (10) minutes per week. An attendant must remain visibly on site during the entire cleaning and maintenance operation.
 

Automatic Rain Sensing Shut-off Device:
 

All landscape irrigation systems must be equipped with a rain sensor device or switch that will override the irrigation cycle of the sprinkler system when adequate rainfall has occurred. This requirement applies to both new and older irrigation systems.
 

Chemical Treatment:
 

If chemicals such as pesticide, fertilizer, herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides are applied to your lawn or landscape plants by a hired professional, they can be watered in according to manufacturer's instructions the date of application during allowed hours. Applying water following a chemical treatment by a hired professional is allowable on your non-designated watering day provided a dated chemical advisory marker showing the date of chemical application is visible in the yard (usually by the mailbox). Also, restricted hours must still be followed (before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m.)

If you wish to apply a chemical treatment to your lawn or landscape plants yourself, the application of water must be done on your designated watering day and times for your address.
 

Car Washing:
 

Washing of cars, trucks and other mobile equipment is allowed once a week. At a residential property, vehicle washing may occur on Tuesday or Saturday at addresses ending in even numbers, and Wednesday or Sunday at addresses ending in odd numbers. Low-volume methods must be used, such as fitting your hose with an automatic shut-off nozzle.

Fund-raising car washes held on behalf of non-profit organizations are allowed, as long as water is used efficiently. Hoses must be fitted with an automatic shut-off nozzle at all times.
 

Pressure Washing :
 

Pressure washing is allowed for necessary purposes, which include cleaning prior to painting or sealing, maintaining a paint or material warranty, addressing a health or safety hazard and complying with local, state or federal health laws. Aesthetic concerns, even those raised by a Homeowner Association in accordance with its deed restrictions, do not constitute a "necessary" purpose.

 

Decorative Fountains:
 

Fountains, waterfalls and other outdoor artistic water features, including the aeration of stormwater ponds to provide a necessary water quality benefit, unless included in the bulleted list below are limited to operating four hours a day, and the operating hours shall be posted.

The following fountains, waterfalls or other aesthetic water features are permitted to operate up to eight hours a day, and the operating hours shall be posted:

• A fountain, waterfall or other aesthetic-only water feature with an evaporative loss of less than 25 gallons a week. Examples of such small-loss water features include: manually-filled table-top fountains, statuary with recirculated water flowing on or bubbling from the surface, and recirculating interior or yard fountains not associated with a stormwater pond or other catchment area;

• A fountain, waterfall or other aesthetic water feature within a koi pond or similar catchment area that also provides aeration or other necessary water quality to sustain pet fish;

• A fountain, waterfall or other aesthetic water feature that is also an integrated part of the water circulation system for a swimming pool; and

• A fountain, waterfall or other aesthetic water feature for a stormwater pond or other catchment area that is being augmented exclusively by reclaimed water, seawater, brackish bay or intercoastal waters, air conditioning condensate, or byproducts resulting from an allowable water use (such as basement drainage).

The operation of decorative water fountains or features using reclaimed water is not restricted. A sign stating "using reclaimed water" must be posted next to the decorative water fountain or feature. Reclaimed water is defined by Sec. 26-67 of Tampa Code as " water that has been produced through treatment at the Howard F. Curren Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant."

 

Recreation Use:
 

Pools should be maintained in a way that minimizes the need for make-up water. This includes promptly repairing leaks, optimum scheduling of backwash filtration, and using shade or covers to reduce evaporation.

Residential and other non-commercial uses of water for recreational purposes should be reduced as much as possible. For example, a sprinkler or sprinkler-like device may be used only at the times normally allowed for lawn watering, and discharge only as much water as is horticulturally necessary for the lawn. A wading pool, “Slip ‘N Slide” or other child-oriented recreational device shall run off or be emptied onto a lawn or landscape that requires irrigation.
 

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