St. Petersburg Residents Included In Water Shortage Declaration

ST. PETERSBURG, FL – The City of St. Petersburg is advising its residents to be aware of the water they’re using now in case tighter restrictions are needed.

The city is included in a Phase I water shortage declaration for the Tampa Bay area, which will go into effect Monday, May 8. The water caution area was defined by the Southwest Florida Water Management District.

SWFWMD has advised all water users in the shortage area to reduce any unnecessary water usage and prepare for tightened irrigation restrictions if extreme dry conditions continue.

City of St. Petersburg reclaimed water customers currently are under voluntary watering restrictions. The reclaimed water restrictions allow for irrigating a maximum of three times per week on the following schedule:

• Even numbered addresses: Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday
• Odd numbered addresses: Wednesday, Friday and Sunday

The city also recommends its residents water early in the morning or in the evening.

The St. Petersburg residential reclaimed water system was the first one built in the United States and is still one of the largest in the world. The system provides more than 37 million gallons per day to more than 10,000 customers, mostly for lawn irrigation.

During the dry season in the spring, some customers may experience an increase in low pressure concerns because of demand exceeding supply. Mayor Rick Kriseman may enact mandatory restrictions on reclaimed water, according to a St. Petersburg press release.

When conditions warrant, the St. Petersburg Water Department activates its Dry Weather Protocol for reclaimed water, which requires the tanks filled during the day and allowing for irrigation in the evening hours. Reclaimed water customers are asked to turn their automatic sprinkler systems off if there is not adequate pressure for proper orientation.

For more information on water restrictions in effect for St. Petersburg, visit www.stpete.org/wateringrestrictions or call the Water Watch Info Line at (727) 892-5300.

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