Water Restrictions Tighten in Hillsborough

The rules of the game have changed for customers of Hillsborough County Water Resource Services. Starting today lawns may only be watered one day a week.

The action comes on the heels of the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s decision to declare a Modified Phase II Water Shortage for Tampa Bay.

According to a media release, the new schedule for watering established lawns and landscaping throughout Hillsborough, including the cities of Tampa, Plant City and Temple Terrace, is:

• Addresses ending in 0 or 1 – Mondays
• Addresses ending in 2 or 3 - Tuesdays
• Addresses ending in 4 or 5 – Wednesdays
• Addresses ending in 6 or 7 - Thursdays
• Addresses ending in 8 or 9, locations with no address, and locations with mixed addresses (such as office complexes and shopping centers) – Fridays

All watering must be done before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m.

The new, tighter rules apply to everyone – not just customers of the county’s water department - and most water sources. That includes private wells, and ponds or lakes that are used as alternate irrigation supplies. They do not impact reclaimed water users, however.  Even so, Hillsborough is asking reclaimed users to conserve.

Other rules instituted under the new restrictions, according to the release, include:

• Hand-watering - residents may hand-water plants and shrubs, or use a drip irrigation system in landscaping beds, on any day – but only before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m.
• New sod and landscaping – Days 1-30, may be watered any day. Days 31-60, watered approximately every other day – even-numbered addresses on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday; odd-numbered addresses on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. An irrigation system zone can only be watered if the new material comprises at least 50 percent of that zone.
• Vehicle washing – commercial car washes and fundraising car washes are allowed at any time. Individuals may wash vehicles once a week, on the designated watering day for the address.
• Pressure washing – allowed as needed for safety and other necessary purposes.
• Homeowners associations – cannot require pressure washing, lawn replacement or other activities requiring additional water use.

The rules are expected to remain in place until July 31 at least.

To find out more about Hillsborough restrictions, visit www.hillsboroughcounty.org/water. To hear a recorded message, call 813-275-7094.