Tampa Eases its Water Restrictions

The following is a news release from the Tampa Water Department:

Tampa water users are returning to a two-day-a-week watering allowance, effective tomorrow (Aug. 1). The changes are a result of the expiration of a water shortage declaration issued in May by the Southwest Florida Water Management District. The change effects locations using city system water, well or surface water.

Tampa locations may irrigate using the following schedule:

• Addresses ending in 0, 1, 2 or 3 may irrigate on Mondays and/or Thursdays
• Addresses ending in 4, 5 or 6 may irrigate on Tuesdays and/or Fridays
• Addresses ending in 7, 8 or 9 may irrigate on Wednesdays and/or Saturdays
• Locations with no address or with mixed addresses may irrigate on Wednesdays and/or Fridays

Irrigation hours remain unchanged. Irrigation may be completed either between midnight and 8 a.m. or between 6 p.m. and midnight on  allowed days. Other
changes resulting from the expiration of the water shortage declaration
include:

• Hand-watering and micro-irrigation on non-turf may occur any day at any time.
• Fountains and other aesthetic water features no longer have restricted hours
• of use.
• Car washing may be done any day at any time.
• Pressure washing may be done any day at any time.

Tampa residents are encouraged to review their irrigation practices, to check
any timers they may have controlling irrigation on their properties and to ensure that their irrigation system includes a rain sensing device. Free rain-sensors are available to City of Tampa water utility customers on request at http:www.tampagov.net/savewater.

Tampa's water use restrictions are enforced inside Tampa city limits 7 days a
week, 24 hours a day and extend to all water sources, including well and
surface water. Citations are issued on first observance of a violation; no
warnings are issued.  Violations of the water use restrictions may result in
fines of up to $450 and mandatory court appearances.

Water use restrictions for Tampa Water Department customers residing in
unincorporated Hillsborough County are established and enforced by
Hillsborough County Water Resource Services. Information on Hillsborough
County restrictions is available at 813-275-7094.

Information about City of Tampa restrictions is available by calling 813-274-8121 or online at www.TampaGov.net/waterrestrictions. A recorded summary of the restrictions is available 24-hours-a-day by calling the Water
Conservation Hotline at 813-274-8032. Customers located in Tampa's reclaimed
water service area can call 813-282-7827 to inquire about service availability.

The Tampa Water Department has materials and information available to assist
customers with identifying leaks, improving the efficiency of their irrigation
system and calculating their water use. Customers can find this information,
request free low-flow plumbing retrofit kits and other conservation items, and
find tips on how to decrease water consumption in their home or business
online at www.TampaGov.net/SaveWater.

Be notified automatically about restrictions changes, upcoming workshops,
conservation events and other Water Department information by subscribing to
the Tampa Water Department's Customer Newsletter, The Pipeline, at
www.tampagov.net/water or the Water Department Real Simple Syndication (RSS) feed available at http://www.tampagov.net/appl_rss_feeds/