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Nighttime Patrol Nabs 100 Water Violators

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By KEITH MORELLI

kmorelli@tampatrib.com

Published: March 20, 2009

TAMPA - With the region's monster reservoir reduced to a puddle, the drought is hitting home, especially for the many who have collected watering citations.

In St. Petersburg, water enforcers have begun a predawn shift, driving around the city looking for sprinklers spewing droplets onto lawns under the cover of night. Since the city began the nocturnal patrols Monday, more than 100 violators have been cited - an "eye-opening" number.

And that was the work of just one officer in three nights, more than daytime patrols could find in six months, said George Cassady, the city's water resources director. Within a few days, more officers will be reassigned to the nighttime patrols.

"We've found a lot of folks out there who have forgotten when their timers are set for," Cassady said. "I find it hard to believe so many people would be willfully violating the irrigation guidelines. It appears a significant number of folks have set their timer years ago and just forgot about it.

"My advice to everybody is to unplug your timer."

Officers document violations with photographs and mail $188 citations to property owners within a few days. They don't bang on doors to rouse violators.

"We are not police officers; we don't want to get in confrontations with people," Cassady said.

St. Petersburg residents can irrigate once a week from 5 to 9 a.m. or 7 to 11 p.m. Even-numbered addresses may water on Saturdays; odd-numbered on Sundays.

Reporter Keith Morelli can be reached at (813) 259-7760.

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