Tampa’s Water Use Restrictions Change

TAMPA, FL (May 10, 2012) – Tampa’s water use restrictions tightened today as a result of a modified Phase II Water Shortage Emergency declaration issued by the Southwest Florida Water Management District. Effective immediately, Tampa residents and businesses using City system water, well or surface water may irrigate one day a week only.

“Conditions continue to be drier than normal across the Tampa Bay area and Tampa is being asked to do its part to keep conditions from worsening,” said Brad Baird, Tampa Water Department Director. “As we transition to a once-a-week irrigation schedule, we encourage all residents, businesses, and visitors to voluntarily reduce water consumption and eliminate unnecessary and wasteful water use.”

Tampa locations may irrigate using the following schedule:

• Addresses ending in 0 or 1 may irrigate on Mondays
• Addresses ending in 2 or 3 may irrigate on Tuesdays
• Addresses ending in 4 or 5 may irrigate on Wednesdays
• Addresses ending in 6 or 7 may irrigate on Thursdays
• Addresses ending in 8 or 9 may irrigate on Fridays

Other changes to water use included in the District declaration include:

• Hand-watering and micro-irrigation on non-turf may occur any day but must be completed before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m.
• Fountains and other aesthetic water features may operate up to four hours per day, as posted.
• Car washing is limited to once per week on the designated watering day for the location.
• Pressure washing for aesthetic purposes is limited to once annually and may be accomplished as needed for necessary purposes only.

The restrictions do not affect locations where otherwise restricted activities are being accomplished with reclaimed water.

H & R Land Clearing & Site Development, Inc. (H & R) will be conducting repairs to drainage structures at 21 storm water ponds located throughout the community beginning May 14th. This will include replacing missing grates, repairing broken concrete on the drainage structures, removing debris and vegetation from within and around the structures, and repairing severely eroded areas around some of the ponds and structures. PLEASE NOTE: We have identified drainage easements for two ponds between homes located off Cypress Pond Avenue and Big Pond Way and the contractor will use the easements for access. The contractor will make every effort to ensure there is no damage to your lawn or irrigation and if damage occurs, it will be promptly repaired. We will be issuing letters to the homeowners where access is necessary. Pictures will be taken the moment before access is utilized to document current conditions. We do not anticipate any significant issues. All other ponds will be accessed via the common areas owned by Pebble Creek, many of which border resident properties.

The work is being completed in accordance with an inspection report completed by Aurora Civil Engineering, Inc. All work will be certified in a final report to be completed by Aurora Civil Engineering, Inc. H & R is properly licensed and insured with both liability and workers compensation policies and has been conducting this type of work for approximately 30 years. The concrete repairs to the drainage structures will have an expected life of 25 years. The entire project is expected to be completed in 60 days. Please note that although Pebble Creek has 36 ponds, many of the ponds not included in this work either did not require maintenance or they are included in annual inspections conducted by D.S. Franks & Associates, Inc. civil engineers in order to satisfy permit requirements of the Southwest Florida Water Management District. If issues at the remaining ponds are identified by D.S. Franks, they will be rectified.