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Balance Sought By Utility

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By GERALD J. SEEBER

Special to the Tribune

Published: February 7, 2009

Tampa Bay Water takes very seriously its dual responsibilities of environmental protection and providing drinking water for public health and safety, so I'd like to respond to your editorial of Jan. 31 ("Water Plan Harms Progress," Our Opinion).

Our regional drinking water system is drought resistant, but it is not drought proof. Now faced with a third year of below-normal rainfall, our water supply choices are few. Area river flows are near record lows, reservoirs are nearly depleted, and the desal plant's full capacity is only a small portion of the daily need.

While we are temporarily forced to pump higher groundwater quantities right now, we will work hard to get back under our permitted levels as quickly as possible. It is important to note that, even given the need to rely on groundwater beyond the goal, we are pumping dramatically less groundwater than we have over the past 10 years. Environmental conditions have improved dramatically, but we know further environmental recovery will take time, and must be achieved.
Tampa Bay Water does not set water restrictions - we can't turn off the tap. Residents can choose to help by conserving water.

Check your sprinkler system for broken or misdirected heads and repair them. Water the grass, not the street. Better yet, turn off your sprinkler system during winter, when less water is required.

Install a rain shut-off device on your sprinkler system so you are not watering when it rains. If you must irrigate make sure your sprinkler system is set to the right day and time.

Make sure you have three to four inches of mulch around plants, and water only when necessary.

Wash only full loads of laundry, full dishwashers and turn your faucet off when you wash dishes, brush your teeth, shave or clean up.

Mother Nature is unpredictable, and we must strive for balance. If we all do our part to conserve water, we can be sure that the environment is protected by getting its fair share, too.

The writer is general manager of Tampa Bay Water.

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