Tightened Regional Water Restrictions Remain in Effect
WATER RESTRICTIONS AS OF JUNE 23, 2009
The Southwest Florida Water Management District's Governing Board voted to continue the Modified Phase III and IV (Critical) Water Shortage restrictions for water use in the Tampa Bay Water service area, including St. Petersburg, until July 31, 2009.
District Executive Director, David Moore, stated "we are still contending with the effects of the long term drought.....We're going to monitor conditions closely over the next month before easing any of the restrictions."
Under the revised Phase IV order, watering using potable water remains limited to once a week from 12:01 a.m. to 4 a.m. for properties less than one acre. Other water use restrictions apply. Please see detailed information below.
Those using irrigation wells and surface water sources such as lakes and ponds remain under the Modified Phase III restrictions declared in October 2008.
The Tampa Bay region's water shortage status ranges from "severe" to "critical." The Water Resources Department appreciates the efforts of its citizens and customers in following the current rules and reminds everyone that the city is mandated to stringently enforce these rules. Warnings are no longer issued - all violations will result in a citation, which carries a fine.
Effective Dates
June 30, 2009 until July 31, 2009, unless modified by the SWFWMD.
Applicable Areas
SWFWMD Water Shortage Orders apply to the Tampa Bay region, including St. Petersburg water customers located within City limits. If your property is outside the City, please check with your municipality or the SWFWMD for current water restrictions for your area.
No Warnings!
Violations observed by enforcement personnel will result in the issuance of a citation for a Class II municipal ordinance offense and is subject to a $175 fine, plus court costs. Court costs range from $13 for uncontested violations to $58 for contested violations. Subsequent violations are subject to higher fines as assessed by the court up to a maximum fine of $500 plus court costs.
Water Use Rules
- Aesthetic fountains and other water features are prohibited.
- Residential car washing is prohibited.
- Charity car washes are prohibited.
- Commercial car wash operations are allowed.
- Cars for sale or lease may not be routinely washed; they may be washed immediately prior to sale or lease.
- Pressure washing conducted by commercial businesses is allowed for certain purposes which include:
o cleaning to eliminate a safety hazard,
o preparation for painting or similar activity,
o maintaining a paint or material warranty, and
o as needed to meet federal, state or local health and safety standards.
- Restaurants and public dining facilities shall serve water to customers only upon customer request.
- Government facilities, common areas in malls, lobbies of multi-tenant office buildings, and similar public spaces using cooling towers or other water-based cooling must keep the temperature at or above 78 degrees Fahrenheit. There are exemptions for health and safety, such as hospital facilities.
- Wasteful and unnecessary water use is prohibited.
- Use of an automatic shutoff device is required when hand-watering plants.
- Watering-in of lawn chemicals is allowed within District guidelines.
- Cleaning and maintenance of an irrigation system is limited to once a month. An attendant must be present.
- Boat washing and motor flushing is allowed after usage.
Wasteful and unnecessary water use is prohibited.
Restrictions for Users of Private Well and Surface Water Sources
Modified Phase 3 Restrictions Apply
Register Your Private Well. Registration of private wells assists water restriction enforcement staff with accurate reporting. To register your private well, visit www.stpete.org/privatewell.asp or call 893-7261.
Irrigation of Established Lawns and Landscapes
Private well and surface water users may continue with the one day schedule:
• Locations with even addresses may irrigate on Saturday ONLY
• Odd addresses may irrigate on Sunday ONLY
|
Even Addresses or the Letters A through M |
Odd Addresses, the Letters N through Z, or No Address |
|
Saturday ONLY |
Sunday ONLY |
Watering times are 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. and/or 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Watering the same area twice within the same day is NOT permitted.
Hand Watering of Established Lawns
The use of well or surface water sources for hand-watering established lawns is limited to the once-per-week schedule already in effect.
Microirrigation or Hand Watering of Established Landscapes (Non-lawn Areas)
Hand-watering, microirrigation and other low volume irrigation of non-lawn landscaping using well or surface water is allowed any day, if needed, but is limited to the hours of before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m.
Variance for New Turf and Plantings
Irrigation of new plants, new sod installations, and lawn renovations (sod, plugs, and other turfgrass material) requires a variance from the St. Petersburg's Water Resources Department. A 30-day variance may be requested by calling 892-5020 or emailing WRDCustomerService@stpete.org. Please provide your name, address, phone number, and reason for variance. Only one variance is allowed within a six month period. No time extensions will be granted.
Variances are limited to the following schedule during establishment:
• Days 1-15: beginning the day of installation, the new or replacement turfgrass/plants may be watered every day of the week during designated hours (5 a.m. to 9 a.m. and/or 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.).
• Days 16-30: the new or replacement turfgrass/plants may be watered every other day during designated hours. Even-numbered addresses may only water on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Odd-numbered addresses may only water on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.
For additional information, call the Water Watch Info Line at 892-5300.
Restrictions for Users of Potable (Drinking) Water
New Modified Phase 4 Restrictions Apply
Irrigation of Established Lawns
Using potable water for irrigation is limited to the once-per-week schedule already in effect. In St. Petersburg, locations with even addresses may irrigate on Saturday and odd addresses may irrigate on Sunday.
The allowable hours of irrigation have changed:
- Midnight to 4 a.m. for properties less than one acre in size, using an in-ground irrigation (rotor and spray sprinkler heads) system.
- Midnight to 4 a.m. and 8 p.m. to midnight for properties more than one acre in size, using an in-ground irrigation system.
|
Property Size = Less Than One Acre |
Property Size = Equal To or Greater Than One Acre |
|
Midnight to 4 a.m. |
Midnight to 4 a.m. and 8 p.m. to Midnight |
For additional information, call:
Water Watch Info Line at 892-5300.
Hand Watering of Established Lawns
Using potable water for hand-watering established lawns is limited to the once-per-week schedule already in effect. Allowable times are 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. for properties of any size, using sprinkling cans, a hand-held hose equipped with an automatic shut-off nozzle, or using a hose equipped with a portable sprinkler.
Note: The same lawn area may not be watered by multiple means. You may not use an irrigation system and a hand-held hose to water the same area twice on the given day.
Irrigation of Established Landscapes (Non-lawn Areas)
Using potable water for irrigation of landscapes with an in-ground irrigation system or a hand-held hose equipped with a portable sprinkler remains limited to the same once-per-week schedule as lawn watering.
The allowable hours of irrigation have changed to the following:
- Midnight to 4 a.m. for properties less than one acre in size, using an in-ground irrigation (rotor and spray sprinkler heads) system.
- Midnight to 4 a.m. and 8 p.m. to midnight for properties more than one acre in size, using an in-ground irrigation system.
|
Property Size = Less Than One Acre |
Property Size = Equal To or Greater Than One Acre |
|
Midnight to 4 a.m. |
Midnight to 4 a.m. and 8 p.m. to Midnight |
Microirrigation or Hand Watering of Established Landscapes (Non-lawn Areas)
Using potable water for irrigation of landscapes (non-lawn) with a sprinkling can, hand watering with a hose equipped with an automatic shut-off nozzle, or microirrigation is now limited to 3 days per week. Microirrigation includes soaker hoses, drip tubes, microjets and other forms of low-volume irrigation technology.
Allowable Days:
- Using these efficient watering methods, locations with even addresses may irrigate on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday and odd addresses may irrigate on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday.
|
Even Addresses or the Letters A through M |
Odd Addresses, the Letters N through Z, or No Address |
|
Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday ONLY |
Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday ONLY |
Allowable Times:
- 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. for landscapes of any size, using sprinkling cans, hand-held hose equipped with automatic shut-off nozzle, or microirrigation.
Establishment of New or Replacement
Lawns and New Landscape Plants
Variance for New Plantings
Irrigation of new plants, new sod installations, and lawn renovations (sod, plugs, and other turfgrass material) requires a variance from the St. Petersburg's Water Resources Department. A 30-day variance may be requested by calling 892-5020 or emailing WRDCustomerService@stpete.org. Please provide your name, address, phone number, and reason for variance. Only one variance is allowed within a six month period. No time extensions will be granted.
Variances are limited to the following schedule during establishment:
- Days 1 through 15: new turf and plants may be watered any day of the week, during allowable hours.
- Days 16 through 30: new turf and plants may be watered three days a week during allowable hours:
Even addresses - Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday
Odd addresses - Wednesday, Friday and Sunday
|
Even Addresses or the Letters A through M |
Odd Addresses, the Letters N through Z, or No Address |
|
Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday ONLY |
Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday ONLY |
Allowable Hours for Irrigation of New Turf and Plants:
- Midnight to 4 a.m. for properties less than one acre in size, using an in-ground irrigation (rotor and spray sprinkler heads) system.
- Midnight to 4 a.m. and 8 p.m. to midnight for landscapes more than one acre in size, using an in-ground irrigation system.
|
Property Size = Less Than One Acre |
Property Size = Equal To or Greater Than One Acre |
|
Midnight to 4 a.m. |
Midnight to 4 a.m. and 8 p.m. to Midnight |
Allowable Hours for Microirrigation or Hand Watering:
- 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. for landscapes of any size, using sprinkling cans, hand-held hose equipped with automatic shut-off nozzle, or microirrigation.
For additional information, call the Water Watch Info Line at 892-5300.
Users of Reclaimed Water
Irrigation with Reclaimed Water – Water Wise Practices
Lawn and landscape irrigation using reclaimed water is not currently restricted. However, residents are asked to be "water wise" and conscious of their use of this valuable resource. Voluntary restrictions for reclaimed water request no more than three days per week by property address: Even numbers should irrigate on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Odd numbers should irrigate on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.
Large commercial properties, multi-family buildings, schools and government buildings using reclaimed water for irrigation are requested to limit watering to three days per week.
Golf courses, cemeteries and athletic or recreational facilities are asked to submit irrigation plans demonstrating compliance with best management practices.
|
Even Addresses or the Letters A through M |
Odd Addresses, the Letters N through Z, or No Address |
|
Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday ONLY |
Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday ONLY |
Irrigation is suggested from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Watering during the heat of the day is inefficient as much of the water used is lost to evaporation and wind drift.
NOTE: During dry seasons and periods of drought, mandatory restrictions on the use of reclaimed water may be authorized by the Mayor and City Council, pursuant to Section 27-146 of City Code.
Call 892-5018 or email WRDCustomerService@stpete.org to obtain a copy of St. Petersburg's Landscape Plant Guide for Yards with Reclaimed Water. This publication is designed to assist reclaimed water customers in the selection of suitable plants and provides recommendations for efficient use of this resource. Please leave your name, address and phone number.
Thank you for doing your part to save our valuable water resources. We encourage all residents to be water efficient. Check for leaks, replace or retrofit fixtures to be more water efficient, install a rain sensor on your sprinkler system, and follow outdoor water restrictions.
For more information on how we can assist you in conserving water, contact the water conservation office at 727-892-5688 or email WRDCustomerService@stpete.org. Please leave your name, address and phone number.
Information provided becomes part of the public record which citizens hasve the right to review. Any written or email material received or generated by City Staff or Council Members becomes public record and state law requires the record be made available for inspection upon request.
