SWFWMD extends water restrictions through September
Public asked to help water resources recover
By SUZETTE PORTER
Article published on Tuesday, June 24, 2008  |
PINELLAS COUNTY – One-day-a-week lawn watering must continue through at least Sept. 30 says the Southwest Florida Water Management District's Governing Board.
The board voted unanimously on June 24 to extend the current Water Shortage Order that has been in effect since Jan. 16, 2007.
The order includes restrictions that apply to the use of water from public and private water utilities as well as the use of all wells and surface water sources (ponds, rivers, etc.).
According to a press release from SWFWMD, the board chose to extend the term of the water shortage order, which had been due to expire on June 30, because impacts from the two-year drought continue despite the start of the annual rainy season.
Officials said regional public water supply systems, including Tampa Bay Water, which provides much of the drinking water for Pinellas County, are at-risk due to low storage.
Tampa Bay’s Water supplies have not returned to pre-drought conditions, the press release said.
“We need people to continue to be vigilant,” said David Moore, District executive director. “We appreciate their efforts to conserve through the dry season and we need them to continue. Now is the time to try and help our water resources recover.”
Officials said despite the recent rains, the district’s 16-county region was still experiencing depressed hydrologic conditions.
Latest statistics show that overall the region has received about five inches of rain during June, which is about 67 percent of normal. The district-wide rainfall deficit from June 2006 to May 2008 is 17.2 inches. Due to the continuing drought, all 16 counties are experiencing below-normal groundwater conditions.
“While the recent rains have been beneficial, we have not seen enough improvement in the water resources to lift restrictions,” said Lois Sorensen, the District’s demand management coordinator. “Fortunately, residents do not need to water their lawns now that it is raining.”
Officials are asking residents to help
One way residents can help is by reducing their lawn watering during the summer rainy season, SWFWMD officials said. Residents also are encouraged to skip their watering day if they’ve recently received rain.
Pinellas County is one of the 16 counties included in the management district, and residents must continue to adhere to their one-day-a-week watering schedule. Pinellas County officials also are advising residents on reclaimed water systems to adopt the one-a-week schedule.
Pinellas County Utilities officials sent out an urgent plea to residents in the southern part of the county to begin an immediate reduction in use of reclaimed water on June 16. North county residents also were urged to practice water conservation.
Dave Baker, manager of Utilities Conservation Resources, said Tuesday that despite the restrictions and requests to conserve, reclaimed water was still being heavily used. He said Utilities staff was working on a mailing to customers that would offer incentives to conserve and conservation advice.
He said Utilities also was continuing a campaign to educate people about their lawns’ “drinking problem.” He said the campaign focused on proper watering practices and pointed out the dangers of over-watering.
He said over-watered lawns often were more susceptible to attack from weeds and insects and that excessive watering did not allow grass to develop a good, strong root system.
“Excessive watering is not helping the lawn,” he said.
For more information on watering schedules and conservation, visit www.pinellascounty.org/utilities or call 727-464-3896.
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Article published on Tuesday, June 24, 2008
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