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Hillsborough Tightens Watering Rules, But No Ban

Tribune file photo by JAY NOLAN (2008)

Commercial car washes can continue to operate, but washing your car at home is now banned.

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By MIKE SALINERO | The Tampa Tribune

Published: April 1, 2009

Updated: 04/01/2009 01:11 pm

TAMPA - As expected, Hillsborough County commissioners adopted the stricter lawn watering regulations passed Tuesday by regional water authorities, but did not imitate Tampa's actions in completely banning the use of lawn irrigation systems.

County water official Bart Weiss told commissioners Tampa's water problems are much more dire than the county's. The city depends primarily on a reservoir on the Hillsborough River, which is at its lowest point in recorded history, Weiss said.

The county meanwhile has a looped distribution system tied to Tampa Bay Water, the regional water supplier. The city is connected to Tampa Bay Water's system at only two points, and can't distribute that water to south and West Tampa, he said.

"They never built enough infrastructure to get the full capacity that their citizens can use," Weiss said.
The Southwest Florida Water Management District passed stricter water conservation measures Tuesday because of a continuing drought.

Lawn watering hours were reduced and nonessential uses, such as non-commercial car washing and ornamental fountains, were prohibited.

County residents who are not city of Tampa water customers can water between midnight and 4 a.m. on their designated watering day each week if their lots are smaller than one acre.

The city's ban on sprinkler systems begins Friday.

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