Pinellas County, Florida, is experiencing a severe drought, prompting the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) to extend its ‘Extreme’ Water Shortage Order through October 1. The region’s main water supply has plummeted below 20% capacity.
Water Restrictions
Local officials are targeting outdoor watering as the primary area to cut back, calling it the fastest and most effective way for the community to protect what is left of the shared supply. To ensure residents take the order seriously, Pinellas County Utilities staff are now required to hand out $193 fines for any variations from the mandated schedule.
The restrictions apply to all water sources, including potable, well, lake, and reclaimed water. The exact days residents are allowed to water depend heavily on where they live. For residents living north of SR 580 using potable, well, or lake water, even-numbered addresses may only water on Saturdays, while odd-numbered addresses are restricted to Wednesdays.
Jeremy Waugh, Pinellas County Utilities Director, stressed that the strict rules are about protecting the environment as much as ensuring household supply. ‘Outdoor water conservation is about more than saving gallons,’ Waugh said. ‘It’s about reducing demand on our water-dependent ecosystems and making sure our water supply will be able to meet our region’s needs in the future.’
Original reporting: Tampa Free Press — read the source article.
