St. Petersburg Enters Phase 1 Water Shortage as Drought Conditions Persist
The Southwest Florida Water Management District declared Phase 1 Water Shortage rules for St. Petersburg on Monday. Rain hasn’t fallen in typical amounts, and water supplies keep dropping. People must…
The Southwest Florida Water Management District declared Phase 1 Water Shortage rules for St. Petersburg on Monday. Rain hasn't fallen in typical amounts, and water supplies keep dropping. People must now stick to watering schedules and use less water.
Houses with even numbers can water lawns Tuesdays and Saturdays from 5-9 a.m. or 7-11 p.m. Homes with odd numbers get Wednesdays and Sundays during those same hours.
You can water plants by hand any day, any time. Lawns watered by hand still need to follow the assigned days and hours. Every hose must have an automatic shutoff valve attached.
City workers will watch more closely for violations. The rules ban wasteful practices like running sprinklers with broken heads, letting water spill into streets, or watering too much.
Things could get tighter. If the drought gets worse, stricter rules may come next. The district started watching St. Petersburg more carefully after months of low rainfall.
Grass goes to sleep in winter and only needs water every 10-14 days.
These simple steps slash outdoor water use
- Fix leaks.
- Adjust sprinkler heads that spray the wrong direction.
- Make sure rain sensors actually work.
- Take shorter showers.
- Turn off faucets while you brush your teeth or shave.
- Replace old toilet flappers that leak without making noise.
- Look for leaks inside and outside your house.
The city wants people to know about Tampa Bay Water Wise rebates. This program gives away smart irrigation controllers for free or at reduced prices.
Homeowners can get up to $1,000 back for installing shallow wells. High-efficiency toilets earn up to $200 in rebates. These improvements cut water use and lower monthly bills.
People and businesses outside city limits or those who get water from other sources should contact their supplier about watering rules. Visit www.stpete.org/WaterRestrictions for more details.
