CLEARWATER - The Board of Pinellas County Commissioners agreed unanimously March 3 to set a public hearing to discuss proposed new restrictions on reclaimed water use.
The hearing is scheduled on Tuesday, March 17. The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. in the fifth floor assembly room of the Pinellas County Courthouse, 315 Court St. in Clearwater.
Tom Crandall, director of Pinellas County Utilities, told commissioners that proposed restrictions for the use of reclaimed water was necessary due to several factors.
“Reclaimed water has turned into a real commodity and we’ve expanded the system over the years,” he said. “It’s a real problem during drought periods when we can’t keep up with demand.”
He said currently when reclaimed water is not available in northern parts of the county, the service is shut off. He said while that method works, it is very labor intensive, requiring manpower too manually turn off the system at midnight. It also is hard on the system in terms of wear and tear on the valves, he said.
“We believe there is a better way to manage reclaimed water needs using seasonal restrictions,” he said.
The proposed changes would restrict reclaimed water service delivery to three days a week from April 1 through June 30 and Oct. 1 through Nov. 30.
Properties with addresses ending in 1,3,4,7 and 9, or a mix of addresses or for which no address can be determined, would be allowed to use overhead irrigation with reclaimed water on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.
Properties with addresses ending in 0, 2, 4, 8 and 8 would be allowed to use overhead irrigation on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
Hours of use for equipment and devices which deliver water under pressure through the air and above the level of the plant being irrigated would be prohibited between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Use of the system would be completely prohibited during all hours on Mondays.
The proposed new rules would follow state guidelines for establishment of new lawns and landscapes.
A variance could be granted upon written request by the county administrator.
Crandall said the proposed months for the restrictions coincided with drought and high use times which caused the biggest strain on the system.
Penalties for watering on the wrong day or outside the allowed time would be the same or similar to those used for people who violate restrictions on the potable water system, he said.
He said first offenses would result in a warning, at least in the beginning while Utilities staff worked to educate customers about the new rules. Subsequent offenses would result in fines, and people who continue to break the rules could face losing use of the service, he said.
Commission Chair Calvin Harris said people had been complaining for years because of the restrictions on potable water but not reclaimed.
“This has always been a problem because of people abusing the system,” he said. “Some people are watering with reclaimed every day when people who use potable water are restricted to two days and with the drought now one day.”
Commissioners questioned if the new rules would apply to commercial customers. Crandall said not in the beginning as any change would require modification of agreements.
“Modifying the agreements would take time and we have a more pressing need,” he said.
The county’s two largest wholesale customers for reclaimed water are Pinellas Park and St. Pete Beach, he said.
Commissioners also suggested that agreements made with golf courses made years ago when no one wanted reclaimed water be looked at, as well.
Crandall said Utilities could look at those agreements, but suggested caution, especially in northern parts of the county which has zero discharge regulations. He said historically Utilities has relied on golf courses to get rid of excess treated water when needed.
He also said during the rainy season when there is less public demand on the system, golf courses will be the only way to get rid of the excess.
“We need the golf courses,” he said. “All we have to do now when we have an excess is pick up the phone and the golf courses will discharge.”
Crandall said another advantage of restrictions was allowing more customers to hook up to the system.
“I’m very happy we’re doing this,” said Commissioner Susan Latvala. “This is something we’ve asked for and we need more hook ups.”
