The City of Clearwater, in accordance with the Southwest Florida Water Management District's severe water shortage announcement, will initiate lawn-watering restrictions on Jan. 16. The one day-per-week restriction applies to the use of water from public and private water utilities, all wells, and surface water sources (ponds, rivers, etc.). Customers who utilize the city's reclaimed water system are not affected by this restriction.
"The City and the Water District never implement water restrictions lightly," says Glenn Daniel, Clearwater's Water Superintendent. "We find ourselves moving into the dry season and still running a rainfall deficit of almost 12 inches, so it's no surprise that the district has begun some additional conservation efforts."
Potable water users will remain on their usual one day-per-week schedule. Residents using reclaimed water for irrigation can water on any day of the week. Residents who irrigate from private wells or a surface water source within the city limits will now be restricted to watering only one day-per-week and should abide by the following schedule:
Property addresses ending in even numbers or the letters A through M can only water on Tuesday.
Property addresses ending in odd numbers or the letters N through Z can only water on Sunday.
The Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) issued the water restriction order following a presentation by district staff outlining the abnormally low groundwater conditions in 15 of the 16 counties within the District.
It's disturbing to see such low water levels this early in the dry season," said David Moore, the District's Executive Director. "We need to act now to be prepared for the spring when water levels are at their lowest prior to the rainy season. We need everyone's help to do what they can to preserve our precious water resources. Working together we can meet our water supply challenges while also protecting the environment."
The restrictions are scheduled to stay in place until July 31. For more information about water restrictions, contact Joelle Castelli at (727) 562-4881.