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Beginning Friday, Don't Be Caught Uninformed

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: April 2, 2009

TAMPA - Water restrictions from the Southwest Florida Water Management District take effect Friday in Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco counties. Tampa also is imposing new rules Friday.

As a Tampa resident, what new rules apply to watering my lawn?

Tampa residents can only water lawns using a hose or watering cans from 6 to 8 a.m. and 6 to 10 p.m. on their regular watering days. The hose must have an automatic shut-off nozzle.

How about people living outside Tampa who get city water?

The district says city water customers in unincorporated Hillsborough County must follow Tampa's rules.

What about watering landscaping?

If you use an in-ground irrigation system or a sprinkler attached to a hose for nonturf landscaping, you can water once a week on the same schedule as watering your lawn.

If you use a hose, watering can or microirrigation, you can water landscaping three days a week. For addresses ending in an even number, those days are Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. For addresses ending in an odd number, they are Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

What about using reclaimed water?

The new restrictions do not apply to people using reclaimed water. Rules for reclaimed water use vary among jurisdictions.

How about homeowner groups that penalize for dead lawns?

For Tampa water customers, the city's legal department says city rules trump association bylaws.

For those outside Tampa, the water management district is trying to work with associations to suspend the rules until summer rains start.

The district will try to help residents having disputes with their associations.

Do the rules apply to everyone in Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco?

No. Only those who get water from Tampa or Tampa Bay Water are affected, plus those supplied by Aloha Utilities in Pasco.

The rules don't apply to residents of Belleair, Dade City, Dunedin, Plant City, San Antonio, Temple Terrace and Zephyrhills. Those cities have their own water supplies.

How can I get more information about the new watering rules?

Go to www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/

Compiled by Neil Johnson

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