St. Petersburg's Current Water Conservation Programs
Every resident and business in St. Petersburg can play a role in helping to conserve our precious drinking water resources. St. Petersburg and its partners are assisting customers with their water conservation efforts by providing publications, rebates, and giveaway items. Funding is limited for all programs. Items are available on a first-come, first-served basis, unless otherwise stated; a waiting list is unavailable.
Toilet Rebate Program
The St. Petersburg Water Resources Department, along with the Pinellas-Anclote River Basin Board of the SWFWMD, offers water customers a rebate up to $100 for replacement of a high-volume toilet with a low volume model that uses 1.6 gallons per flush or less. Available for a limited time; restrictions and specific procedures apply. Customers must call 894-2044, complete an application, and receive a reservation number to be eligible for a rebate. Purchases made prior to receiving a reservation number will not be rebated.
Shallow Well Rebate Program
You can save money if you currently use drinking water to irrigate your yard! This Program, funded by the City of St. Petersburg, provides water customers currently using potable (drinking) water for irrigation a rebate for installing a shallow well. Qualified participants may receive reimbursement for 50% of installation costs up to a maximum of $300. Another program component offers an additional incentive for residents of the City's Midtown Area. This program is available for a limited time. Restrictions, eligibility requirements, and specific procedures apply.
To be eligible for the program, a residential water customer of St. Petersburg must currently be irrigating with potable (City) water, not have access to reclaimed water, and be in an area identified by the City as favorable for shallow wells. Interested water customers must complete an application, be approved and receive a reservation prior to well installation. For an application or more information please call 727-894-2044.
Restaurant Spray Valve Replacement Program
Sponsored by the St. Petersburg Water Resources Department and the Pinellas-Anclote River Basin Board of the SWFWMD, this program offers food service providers a FREE water efficient pre-rinse spray valve. This new dishwashing valve is more forceful and precise in removing particles from dishware, and could reduce water usage by up to 300 gallons per day! If you own or manage a restaurant, nursing home, care facility, hospital, retail establishment, or business with a cafeteria, and are a St. Petersburg water customer, you can obtain more information by calling 551-3177 and leaving your contact information.
Rain Sensor Giveaway
There's nothing more embarrassing, more wasteful, or more costly than a sprinkler system that runs when it doesn't have to … In The Rain. The simplest, most effective way to prevent your sprinklers from coming on during or after a rain event is by installing a rain sensor, also known as a rain shut-off device. Easily installed on most automatic time clocks, a rain sensor shuts sprinklers off, automatically compensating for the amount of rainfall that has occurred.
How Does a Rain Sensor Work? After collecting a certain amount of rain, a switch breaks the circuit to the electric solenoid valves of the sprinkler system, preventing them from opening. However, it does not interrupt the timekeeping function of the clock.
How Do I Receive a FREE Rain Sensor? To receive a free rain sensor, St. Petersburg water customers should bring a utility bill to the Water Resources Department at 1635 Third Avenue North Monday through Friday between 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. and fill out a form to pick up the sensor and installation instructions. An Installation Verification Form should be sent back to the Water Resources Department after the device is installed to avoid a charge on your utility bill.
Indoor Water Conservation Kits 
The St. Petersburg Water Resources Department is providing indoor conservation kits to water customers. Each kit includes a low flow showerheads, a toilet leak detection dye tab, and faucet aerators for the kitchen and bathroom. To receive a free kit, St. Petersburg water customers should bring a utility bill to the Water Resources Department at 1635 Third Avenue North Monday through Friday between 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. and fill out a form to pick up the kit.
Water Conservation Publications
The Water Resources Department has available publications related to indoor and outdoor water conservation, leak detection, reclaimed water use, micro-irrigation, and Florida-friendly landscaping. For copies of these publications, interested customers can call 892-5018 and leave contact information.
In addition, a quarterly publication entitled "All About Water" provides information on water and wastewater related subjects, landscape plant selection, and step by step instructions on simple water conservation practices. This publication can be found in a printable format here All About Water.
For more information on how to conserve water or the services of the Water Resources Department, call 892-5018.
For information about the source of our water supply contact Tampa Bay Water at 796-2355 or on the web.
For information on water resources management in west central Florida contact the Southwest Florida Water Management District at 352-796-7211 or on the web at www.watermatters.org.
