In Tampa, Florida, authorities have taken an important decision due to drought affecting the region. Since February 8, watering your garden or washing your car outside the new rules could cost you a fine and you may even be required to make a mandatory court appearance.
The reason behind these measures is very clear: Tampa Bay is facing a significant rainfall deficit. Officials reported a 13-inch shortfall in rain, meaning the area has received far less rainfall than normal. Because of this, the Southwest Florida Water Management District approved a modified Phase II water shortage order, which is considered severe. So, let’s find out more about this situation.
Why are these water rules being reinforced?
Drought means there’s not enough water to keep regular water levels. When this happens, lakes, rivers, and water reserves drop to lower levels than usual. This can be an issue for water supply used at homes, companies, and farms.
In this case, Tampa Bay authorities decided to make a decision before the situation got worse. According to what they explained in an official communication, this place needs everybody to collaborate by reducing the amount of water they use.
New rules for gardens
The main rule is that now you can only water your garden once a week, but not any random day. The specific day depends on the last digit of the home address:
- 0 or 1 – Monday
- 2 or 3 – Tuesday
- 4 or 5 – Wednesday
- 6 or 7 – Thursday
- 8 or 9 – Friday
- Mixed addresses or no address – Friday
Apart from this, there are strict schedules:
- It’s not allowed to water between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. any day.
- You can only water between midnight and 8 a.m. or between 6 p.m. and midnight.
- Every hose must be fitted with an automatic shut-off nozzle.
These restrictions will remain in effect until July 1.
Other restrictions
The restrictions also affect other activities, so let’s have a look at them:
- Those who wash their cars at home, for them there’s also a designated watering day. Officials recommend washing cars over a lawn so the grass can absorb the water and prevent runoff.
- Then, decorative fountains are still allowed to operate, but only for up to eight hours per day.
- Indoor water use should also be reduced voluntarily. Some residents are taking extra steps, such as placing buckets in their showers to collect water and reuse it for gardening. Authorities are encouraging all residents and businesses, including manufacturers and farms, to limit water discharge and recycle water whenever possible.
Fines
In case you break the rules, the penalties are very clear:
- The first violation: $100
- Repeated violations: up to $500 and you may even be required to make a mandatory court appearance.
What’s more, homeowner associations (HOAs) cannot force residents to maintain lush green lawns if doing so would violate the current water restrictions.
How to care for plants during drought?
Florida’s sandy soil means plants can experience drought stress after only a few days without rain or irrigation. The University of Florida recommends several steps to keep plants alive during dry conditions:
- Establish priorities by watering high-maintenance and drought-sensitive plants first.
- Treat grass as a lower priority because it can become fairly drought-tolerant.
- Replace drought-sensitive plants with more drought-tolerant species.
- Apply mulch around trees and shrubs to help the soil retain moisture.
- Turn off automatic irrigation systems during cool winter weather or rainy summer periods.
- Irrigate plants only when they show signs of stress, such as drooping leaves or changes in leaf color.
Other consequences of the drought
Not only does Tampa suffer from drought, Collier County introduced a burn ban due to the severe dry conditions. Meanwhile, the start time of the Daytona 500 was officially changed because of a 50% chance of rain in the state.
Residents have shared their concerns online. One person commented that there has hardly been any rain this year. Another pointed out that Florida often experiences cycles, with some years bringing months of heavy rain and others bringing drought and watering restrictions.
So…
Although this situation is happening in Florida, water restrictions during drought conditions are not unique to one state. Similar measures have been implemented in places like California when rainfall levels drop significantly. Situations like this show how regions must take action to manage water resources carefully when natural supplies decrease.