Attention Florida Guys Water Restrictions
- Thread starter Kory
- Start date
Larry Millette
Member
Between that and finding out about an hour ago that some guy around here is doing house washes for $35.00 I'm real close to throwing in the towel.
The Cleaner
Vetran Washer 30 Years Plus
This is a sign of the times, people are desperate to put food on the table. They dont care if they are lowballing if it means feeding their kids...
I dont agree, but i can understand. I was just saying that today i went to drop off some food at my local food bank, and the line was down the block.
This is very sad, this kind of thing doesn't happen here, in the USA?
Carolina Prowash
Exterior Surface Pros
Kory,
If you'd like some "back up" from contractors whose state pulled that sh*t already, give me a call
Celeste
If you'd like some "back up" from contractors whose state pulled that sh*t already, give me a call
Celeste
Kory
Member
Kory,
If you'd like some "back up" from contractors whose state pulled that sh*t already, give me a call
Celeste
Any help would be great. I will try to call you this weekend.
Kory
Member
Outdoor Water Use Restrictions In Hillsborough County
Important Telephone Numbers:
(813) 275-7094 to hear a recorded message about restrictions
(813) 272-6680 to call Customer Service
(813) 224-8993 to report suspected violations
These restrictions do not apply to residents living in the following cities:
Tampa
Plant City
Temple Terrace
If you live in these cities, click on your municipality to view your restrictions.
Unincorporated Hillsborough County
Irrigation of Established Lawns and Landscaping:
The Southwest Florida Water Management District has declared a Level III Extreme Water Shortage for Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco counties. The following rules are in effect until June 30, 2009. SWFWMD recommends residents take what steps they can to avoid an increase in lawn and landscaping water use during this time. For additional information about the SWFWMD declaration, visit their website at www.swfwmd.st.fl.us
Irrigation of established lawns and landscaping in unincorporated Hillsborough County is allowed one day a week. Follow the watering schedule outlined in the chart below.
These restrictions apply to all water sources including private wells, surface water and utility-provided water. They do not apply to reclaimed water, although these customers are encouraged to use only what they need. Residents who receive their water from the City of Tampa but who live in unincorporated Hillsborough County should follow the county's restrictions.
All irrigation must be accomplished prior to 8:00 a.m. or after 6:00 p.m. Any one zone of a property may only be watered once during the allowable day, NOT both in the morning and again in the evening. The permitted days for watering are as follows:
Addresses ending in 0 or 1 Monday
Addresses ending in 2 or 3 Tuesday
Addresses ending in 4 or 5 Wednesday
Addresses ending in 6 or 7 Thursday
Addresses ending in 8 or 9, locations with no address (common areas, entry areas), and locations with mixed addresses (office complexes, shopping centers) Friday
Irrigation of New Lawns and Landscaping In Unincorporated Hillsborough County:
Turfgrass - under the Severe Water Shortage declaration, the establishment period for new sod, plugs, turfgrass is limited to a period of 30 calendar days. On days 1-15, beginning the day of installation, you may water any day of the week. On days 16-30, even-numbered addresses may water on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays; odd-numbered addresses may water on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Following this period, all turfgrass is considered established, and must follow the restrictions outlined above.
Landscaping (other than turfgrass) – the establishment period is limited to 60 calendar days. On days 1-30, beginning the day of installation, you may water any day of the week. On days 31-60, even-numbered addresses may water on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays; odd-numbered addresses may water on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
Sprinkler System or Hand Water? - New plant material must cover at least 50% of an irrigation zone in order to water with an in-ground sprinkler system during the initial establishment period. If not, the new plant material must be hand watered. (Example: If you purchased one flat of grass plugs to place throughout your front yard to fill in bare spots, this would not cover 50% of an irrigation zone. Hand watering would be required.) Even if you water by hand, you must follow the same guidelines for new lawn and landscaping establishment.
Also, only those zones containing 50% new plant material may be watered, not the entire yard. (Example: If you had your entire front yard re-sodded, but not your backyard, only those zones covering the front yard could be run during the establishment period. The backyard zones would have to remain on the regular watering schedule. Most irrigation timers have an A and B program. Program A can be set for the regular watering. Program B can be programmed for multiple days to only water those zones containing the new plant material during the establishment period. After the establishment period has ended, be certain to clear all information from Program B, as these irrigation controllers are notorious for resetting after a power outage or spike and running all programs at the same time, even if Program B is turned off.
City of Tampa Water Customers Who Live In Unincorporated Hillsborough County:
Residents of unincorporated Hillsborough County who receive their water bill from the City of Tampa are reminded they should follow the county's watering days, not the city's schedule.
Low Volume Irrigation:
Low volume irrigation of plant materials other than lawns and grass is allowed any day, however, you must water before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m. The use must not be wasteful and unnecessary.
Hand Watering:
You may hand-water plant material other than lawns and grass on any day, as long as you do so before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m.. However, such use may not be wasteful and unnecessary. Hand watering of lawns and grass may only occur during the designated day and time for irrigation of established lawns and landscaping at that address. A hose-end sprinkler placed in the yard is not considered hand watering and is subject to the same restrictions as an in-ground sprinkler system.
Reclaimed Wastewater:
The use of reclaimed wastewater is not restricted, however its use must not be wasteful and unnecessary.
Irrigation System Maintenance:
Irrigation systems may be operated during restricted hours for cleaning and maintenance purposes, but limited to ten (10) minutes per week. An attendant must remain visibly on site during the entire cleaning and maintenance operation.
Automatic Rain Sensing Shut-off Device:
All landscape irrigation systems must be equipped with a rain sensor device or switch that will override the irrigation cycle of the sprinkler system when adequate rainfall has occurred. This requirement applies to both new and older irrigation systems.
Chemical Treatment:
If chemicals such as pesticide, fertilizer, herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides are applied to your lawn or landscape plants by a hired professional, they can be watered in according to manufacturer's instructions within 24 to 48 hours of application. Applying water following a chemical treatment by a hired professional is allowable on your non-designated watering day provided a dated chemical advisory marker showing the date of chemical application is visible in the yard (usually by the mailbox). Also, restricted hours must still be followed (before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m.)
If you wish to apply a chemical treatment to your lawn or landscape plants yourself, the application of water must be done on your designated watering day and time for your address.
Car Washing:
Washing of cars, trucks and other mobile equipment is allowed once a week. At a residential property, vehicle washing may occur on Tuesday or Saturday at addresses ending in even numbers, and Wednesday or Sunday at addresses ending in odd numbers. Low-volume methods must be used, such as fitting your hose with an automatic shut-off nozzle.
Fund-raising car washes held on behalf of non-profit organizations are allowed, as long as water is used efficiently. Hoses must be fitted with an automatic shut-off nozzle at all times.
Pressure Washing:
Pressure washing of buildings or other structures in preparation for painting or other maintenance is allowed. Also allowed is the annual pressure washing of buildings, structures, driveways, sidewalks and other impervious surfaces as part of a planned maintenance program to either maintain a warranty or to prevent a “slip and fall” hazard. Washing or cleaning streets in preparation for a parade or other public event is allowed.
Other than these instances, washing or other water-based cleaning of streets and other impervious surfaces is allowed only to meet federal, state or local health and safety standards, such as required dust control.
Decorative Fountains:
Fountains, waterfalls and other outdoor artistic water features are limited to operating four hours a day, and the operating hours shall be posted. If the water feature also provides a necessary water quality benefit, such as aerating a stormwater pond, it may be operated any hours as necessary.
Recreation Use:
Pools should be maintained in a way that minimizes the need for make-up water. This includes promptly repairing leaks, optimum scheduling of backwash filtration, and using shade or covers to reduce evaporation.
Residential and other non-commercial uses of water for recreational purposes should be reduced as much as possible. For example, a sprinkler or sprinkler-like device may be used only at the times normally allowed for lawn watering, and discharge only as much water as is horticulturally necessary for the lawn. A wading pool, “Slip ‘N Slide” or other child-oriented recreational device shall run off or be emptied onto a lawn or landscape that requires irrigation.
Effective June 1, 2002:
Low-volume irrigation is required at retail plant sales locations when the ground surface underneath the plants is non-permeable (paved, concrete, etc.).
Fines and Penalties:
Violating these restrictions could result in a fine of $100 for the first offense, $200 for the second and so on, leading up to $500 for the 5th and succeeding violations. Non-payment will result in a summons to appear before a code enforcement special magistrate, who could impose a fine of as much as $1,000 a day until the original penalty is paid. In extreme cases, the magistrate could choose to levy a one-time fine of $15,000. Those who still don't pay could have a lien attached to their property.
Important Telephone Numbers:
(813) 275-7094 to hear a recorded message about restrictions
(813) 272-6680 to call Customer Service
(813) 224-8993 to report suspected violations
These restrictions do not apply to residents living in the following cities:
Tampa
Plant City
Temple Terrace
If you live in these cities, click on your municipality to view your restrictions.
Unincorporated Hillsborough County
Irrigation of Established Lawns and Landscaping:
The Southwest Florida Water Management District has declared a Level III Extreme Water Shortage for Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco counties. The following rules are in effect until June 30, 2009. SWFWMD recommends residents take what steps they can to avoid an increase in lawn and landscaping water use during this time. For additional information about the SWFWMD declaration, visit their website at www.swfwmd.st.fl.us
Irrigation of established lawns and landscaping in unincorporated Hillsborough County is allowed one day a week. Follow the watering schedule outlined in the chart below.
These restrictions apply to all water sources including private wells, surface water and utility-provided water. They do not apply to reclaimed water, although these customers are encouraged to use only what they need. Residents who receive their water from the City of Tampa but who live in unincorporated Hillsborough County should follow the county's restrictions.
All irrigation must be accomplished prior to 8:00 a.m. or after 6:00 p.m. Any one zone of a property may only be watered once during the allowable day, NOT both in the morning and again in the evening. The permitted days for watering are as follows:
Addresses ending in 0 or 1 Monday
Addresses ending in 2 or 3 Tuesday
Addresses ending in 4 or 5 Wednesday
Addresses ending in 6 or 7 Thursday
Addresses ending in 8 or 9, locations with no address (common areas, entry areas), and locations with mixed addresses (office complexes, shopping centers) Friday
Irrigation of New Lawns and Landscaping In Unincorporated Hillsborough County:
Turfgrass - under the Severe Water Shortage declaration, the establishment period for new sod, plugs, turfgrass is limited to a period of 30 calendar days. On days 1-15, beginning the day of installation, you may water any day of the week. On days 16-30, even-numbered addresses may water on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays; odd-numbered addresses may water on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Following this period, all turfgrass is considered established, and must follow the restrictions outlined above.
Landscaping (other than turfgrass) – the establishment period is limited to 60 calendar days. On days 1-30, beginning the day of installation, you may water any day of the week. On days 31-60, even-numbered addresses may water on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays; odd-numbered addresses may water on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
Sprinkler System or Hand Water? - New plant material must cover at least 50% of an irrigation zone in order to water with an in-ground sprinkler system during the initial establishment period. If not, the new plant material must be hand watered. (Example: If you purchased one flat of grass plugs to place throughout your front yard to fill in bare spots, this would not cover 50% of an irrigation zone. Hand watering would be required.) Even if you water by hand, you must follow the same guidelines for new lawn and landscaping establishment.
Also, only those zones containing 50% new plant material may be watered, not the entire yard. (Example: If you had your entire front yard re-sodded, but not your backyard, only those zones covering the front yard could be run during the establishment period. The backyard zones would have to remain on the regular watering schedule. Most irrigation timers have an A and B program. Program A can be set for the regular watering. Program B can be programmed for multiple days to only water those zones containing the new plant material during the establishment period. After the establishment period has ended, be certain to clear all information from Program B, as these irrigation controllers are notorious for resetting after a power outage or spike and running all programs at the same time, even if Program B is turned off.
City of Tampa Water Customers Who Live In Unincorporated Hillsborough County:
Residents of unincorporated Hillsborough County who receive their water bill from the City of Tampa are reminded they should follow the county's watering days, not the city's schedule.
Low Volume Irrigation:
Low volume irrigation of plant materials other than lawns and grass is allowed any day, however, you must water before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m. The use must not be wasteful and unnecessary.
Hand Watering:
You may hand-water plant material other than lawns and grass on any day, as long as you do so before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m.. However, such use may not be wasteful and unnecessary. Hand watering of lawns and grass may only occur during the designated day and time for irrigation of established lawns and landscaping at that address. A hose-end sprinkler placed in the yard is not considered hand watering and is subject to the same restrictions as an in-ground sprinkler system.
Reclaimed Wastewater:
The use of reclaimed wastewater is not restricted, however its use must not be wasteful and unnecessary.
Irrigation System Maintenance:
Irrigation systems may be operated during restricted hours for cleaning and maintenance purposes, but limited to ten (10) minutes per week. An attendant must remain visibly on site during the entire cleaning and maintenance operation.
Automatic Rain Sensing Shut-off Device:
All landscape irrigation systems must be equipped with a rain sensor device or switch that will override the irrigation cycle of the sprinkler system when adequate rainfall has occurred. This requirement applies to both new and older irrigation systems.
Chemical Treatment:
If chemicals such as pesticide, fertilizer, herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides are applied to your lawn or landscape plants by a hired professional, they can be watered in according to manufacturer's instructions within 24 to 48 hours of application. Applying water following a chemical treatment by a hired professional is allowable on your non-designated watering day provided a dated chemical advisory marker showing the date of chemical application is visible in the yard (usually by the mailbox). Also, restricted hours must still be followed (before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m.)
If you wish to apply a chemical treatment to your lawn or landscape plants yourself, the application of water must be done on your designated watering day and time for your address.
Car Washing:
Washing of cars, trucks and other mobile equipment is allowed once a week. At a residential property, vehicle washing may occur on Tuesday or Saturday at addresses ending in even numbers, and Wednesday or Sunday at addresses ending in odd numbers. Low-volume methods must be used, such as fitting your hose with an automatic shut-off nozzle.
Fund-raising car washes held on behalf of non-profit organizations are allowed, as long as water is used efficiently. Hoses must be fitted with an automatic shut-off nozzle at all times.
Pressure Washing:
Pressure washing of buildings or other structures in preparation for painting or other maintenance is allowed. Also allowed is the annual pressure washing of buildings, structures, driveways, sidewalks and other impervious surfaces as part of a planned maintenance program to either maintain a warranty or to prevent a “slip and fall” hazard. Washing or cleaning streets in preparation for a parade or other public event is allowed.
Other than these instances, washing or other water-based cleaning of streets and other impervious surfaces is allowed only to meet federal, state or local health and safety standards, such as required dust control.
Decorative Fountains:
Fountains, waterfalls and other outdoor artistic water features are limited to operating four hours a day, and the operating hours shall be posted. If the water feature also provides a necessary water quality benefit, such as aerating a stormwater pond, it may be operated any hours as necessary.
Recreation Use:
Pools should be maintained in a way that minimizes the need for make-up water. This includes promptly repairing leaks, optimum scheduling of backwash filtration, and using shade or covers to reduce evaporation.
Residential and other non-commercial uses of water for recreational purposes should be reduced as much as possible. For example, a sprinkler or sprinkler-like device may be used only at the times normally allowed for lawn watering, and discharge only as much water as is horticulturally necessary for the lawn. A wading pool, “Slip ‘N Slide” or other child-oriented recreational device shall run off or be emptied onto a lawn or landscape that requires irrigation.
Effective June 1, 2002:
Low-volume irrigation is required at retail plant sales locations when the ground surface underneath the plants is non-permeable (paved, concrete, etc.).
Fines and Penalties:
Violating these restrictions could result in a fine of $100 for the first offense, $200 for the second and so on, leading up to $500 for the 5th and succeeding violations. Non-payment will result in a summons to appear before a code enforcement special magistrate, who could impose a fine of as much as $1,000 a day until the original penalty is paid. In extreme cases, the magistrate could choose to levy a one-time fine of $15,000. Those who still don't pay could have a lien attached to their property.
Christopher
Moderator
Wow, sounds like you need to get a lot of contractors in a meeting with them and show them that professional contractors use less water than the lowballers and hacks that do not know how to clean.
Maybe educate those people and inform them that there are people out there that do not care, do not have insurance or a license to operate so they need to inform the public to not use them or they could be fined for not using a reputable company.
In the least, you guys should try to sit in and hear what they have to say and maybe you can have a say in how things will change or how they should change. By not trying, you are letting them do what they want with your ways of making money and feeding your families.
Just my opinion.
____________
Superior Power Washing<O</O
Chris Chappell<O</O
361-853-2513<O</O
prostaff@superiorpowerwashing.com<O</O
Exterior House Cleaning Corpus Christi Texas<O</O
Maybe educate those people and inform them that there are people out there that do not care, do not have insurance or a license to operate so they need to inform the public to not use them or they could be fined for not using a reputable company.
In the least, you guys should try to sit in and hear what they have to say and maybe you can have a say in how things will change or how they should change. By not trying, you are letting them do what they want with your ways of making money and feeding your families.
Just my opinion.
____________
Superior Power Washing<O
</OChris Chappell<O
</O361-853-2513<O
</Oprostaff@superiorpowerwashing.com<O
</OExterior House Cleaning Corpus Christi Texas<O
</O
Christopher
Moderator
Be careful of what you wish for, you might get it.
____________
Superior Power Washing<O</O
Chris Chappell<O</O
361-853-2513<O</O
prostaff@superiorpowerwashing.com<O</O
Exterior House Cleaning Corpus Christi Texas<O</O
Cleaning Driveways and Sidewalks Corpus Christi Texas
____________
Superior Power Washing<O
</OChris Chappell<O
</O361-853-2513<O
</Oprostaff@superiorpowerwashing.com<O
</OExterior House Cleaning Corpus Christi Texas<O
</OCleaning Driveways and Sidewalks Corpus Christi Texas
Carolina Prowash
Exterior Surface Pros
Kory - I'll be around all weekend. I have "statements" and links to interviews, etc that talk about pwers not using a lot of water, the health issues (not that you can really use the mold/mildew if it hasn't rained - tried that LOL!) I will share anything that the PWNC used to successfully keep guys working during the drought here.
Celeste
Celeste
mike barrett
Member
Pressure Washing:
"Pressure washing of buildings or other structures in preparation for painting or other maintenance is allowed. Also allowed is the annual pressure washing of buildings, structures, driveways, sidewalks and other impervious surfaces as part of a planned maintenance program to either maintain a warranty or to prevent a “slip and fall” hazard. Washing or cleaning streets in preparation for a parade or other public event is allowed."
The way I read this pressure washing is "allowed" Am I reading incorrectly?
"Pressure washing of buildings or other structures in preparation for painting or other maintenance is allowed. Also allowed is the annual pressure washing of buildings, structures, driveways, sidewalks and other impervious surfaces as part of a planned maintenance program to either maintain a warranty or to prevent a “slip and fall” hazard. Washing or cleaning streets in preparation for a parade or other public event is allowed."
The way I read this pressure washing is "allowed" Am I reading incorrectly?
Carolina Prowash
Exterior Surface Pros
It looks like FLA isn't going to cut off cleanliness (unlike NC/SC did) BUT, stand by for landscapers buying pressure washers now. They can sell washes and water their stuff while they're doing it! Droughts are very uncool for the pw business. The active lowballers go and a whole new cadre comes in.
Newlook
Member
Guys...I highly suggest you fly Celeste over to FL and put her in the room with these officials....she will set them straight.
PWNC has a ton of resources for what they did down in the Carolinas. Use whatever she has guys.
Glad to see you guys bringing this up today. I mentioned this back in '07 about Florida.
Celeste....pack your bags!!!
PWNC has a ton of resources for what they did down in the Carolinas. Use whatever she has guys.
Glad to see you guys bringing this up today. I mentioned this back in '07 about Florida.
Celeste....pack your bags!!!
Christopher
Moderator
Great advice Carlos, get Celeste over there to help you guys out.
She has already been there and done that.
She is a great person but does not back down, a very good quality.
____________
Superior Power Washing<O</O
Chris Chappell<O</O
361-853-2513<O</O
prostaff@superiorpowerwashing.com<O</O
Exterior House Cleaning Corpus Christi Texas<O</O
Cleaning Driveways and Sidewalks Corpus Christi Texas
She has already been there and done that.
She is a great person but does not back down, a very good quality.
____________
Superior Power Washing<O
</OChris Chappell<O
</O361-853-2513<O
</Oprostaff@superiorpowerwashing.com<O
</OExterior House Cleaning Corpus Christi Texas<O
</OCleaning Driveways and Sidewalks Corpus Christi Texas
Spencer
New member
This was in today's paper.
The Tampa Tribune
Published: February 27, 2009
This week the governing board of the Southwest Florida Water Management District could have tightened once-a-week watering restrictions as drought continues to strain drinking-water supplies. Doing so would have been easily justified.
But board members, to their credit, decided to give the public another chance. It could be the last opportunity to avoid an unprecedented mandate of not being able to water outdoors at all until this crisis passes.
And make no mistake, this is a crisis. Since 2006 average rainfall in Pasco, Hillsborough and Pinellas counties is more than two feet below normal. Rivers are way low - especially the Hillsborough, a vital source of drinking water. Tampa Bay Water's 15-billion-gallon reservoir in Hillsborough, already crippled by cracks, could be drained by next month.
And the dry season, when water use normally skyrockets, will begin soon.
Without substantial rain and public cooperation, it's likely that Tampa Bay Water, which provides drinking water to member governments, will once again heavily depend upon regional wellfields. Such reliance in the past damaged wetlands and lakes, but the development of alternative water sources enabled the environment to recover. A return to past destruction must be avoided.
This means that elected officials, government administrators and utility directors need to show leadership by greatly stepping up conservation measures and public campaigns. And in some cases they need to take steps they've never taken before to force the public to conserve drinking water.
These measures, which water managers and the district's government board urged local governments to consider this week, should include adopting ordinances and rules creating drought surcharges geared toward grabbing the attention of high-end water users.
Such an extra fee is clearly needed. Those who ignore water restrictions should have to pay - in addition to being fined by code enforcement officers. And people who otherwise waste water should have to pay, too. Revenue generated by this surcharge should be used to hire additional officers and workers responsible for enforcing water restrictions.
In addition, local officials should consider imposing a "reclaimed water availability fee" on people in areas where reclaimed water lines are within easy reach but customers have chosen not to connect. This move would encourage residents to connect to these systems, reducing or even eliminating the wasteful practice of irrigating with drinking water.
Reducing water pressure is another viable option. This could result in a water savings of 2 percent to 4 percent, water managers say. Forgoing all outdoor watering is an even better option considering this crisis.
Encouraging restaurants and other establishments to only serve drinking water upon request is another move that would conserve water. It makes sense. A glass of water shouldn't be a table ornament that goes to waste.
The governing board took the right step by continuing the current watering restrictions, which were only tightened a few months ago. Some businesses, such as painting companies that need to pressure-wash buildings, could have been greatly affected, so the board's reluctance to impose tougher limits is understandable.
The current Phase III restrictions give the district more options than the more stringent Phase IV. The goal, after all, is to get more people aboard the conservation movement.
Now that the public is on notice, no one can say they weren't given another chance. We all need to make the most of it.
The Tampa Tribune
Published: February 27, 2009
This week the governing board of the Southwest Florida Water Management District could have tightened once-a-week watering restrictions as drought continues to strain drinking-water supplies. Doing so would have been easily justified.
But board members, to their credit, decided to give the public another chance. It could be the last opportunity to avoid an unprecedented mandate of not being able to water outdoors at all until this crisis passes.
And make no mistake, this is a crisis. Since 2006 average rainfall in Pasco, Hillsborough and Pinellas counties is more than two feet below normal. Rivers are way low - especially the Hillsborough, a vital source of drinking water. Tampa Bay Water's 15-billion-gallon reservoir in Hillsborough, already crippled by cracks, could be drained by next month.
And the dry season, when water use normally skyrockets, will begin soon.
Without substantial rain and public cooperation, it's likely that Tampa Bay Water, which provides drinking water to member governments, will once again heavily depend upon regional wellfields. Such reliance in the past damaged wetlands and lakes, but the development of alternative water sources enabled the environment to recover. A return to past destruction must be avoided.
This means that elected officials, government administrators and utility directors need to show leadership by greatly stepping up conservation measures and public campaigns. And in some cases they need to take steps they've never taken before to force the public to conserve drinking water.
These measures, which water managers and the district's government board urged local governments to consider this week, should include adopting ordinances and rules creating drought surcharges geared toward grabbing the attention of high-end water users.
Such an extra fee is clearly needed. Those who ignore water restrictions should have to pay - in addition to being fined by code enforcement officers. And people who otherwise waste water should have to pay, too. Revenue generated by this surcharge should be used to hire additional officers and workers responsible for enforcing water restrictions.
In addition, local officials should consider imposing a "reclaimed water availability fee" on people in areas where reclaimed water lines are within easy reach but customers have chosen not to connect. This move would encourage residents to connect to these systems, reducing or even eliminating the wasteful practice of irrigating with drinking water.
Reducing water pressure is another viable option. This could result in a water savings of 2 percent to 4 percent, water managers say. Forgoing all outdoor watering is an even better option considering this crisis.
Encouraging restaurants and other establishments to only serve drinking water upon request is another move that would conserve water. It makes sense. A glass of water shouldn't be a table ornament that goes to waste.
The governing board took the right step by continuing the current watering restrictions, which were only tightened a few months ago. Some businesses, such as painting companies that need to pressure-wash buildings, could have been greatly affected, so the board's reluctance to impose tougher limits is understandable.
The current Phase III restrictions give the district more options than the more stringent Phase IV. The goal, after all, is to get more people aboard the conservation movement.
Now that the public is on notice, no one can say they weren't given another chance. We all need to make the most of it.
Christopher
Moderator
There is an option out there that is a smelly one but will help keep the money coming in, I suggested it a while back. If anyone is interested I will post more about it. With this you can keep pressure washing and have other sources of revenue even though there is a drought.
____________
Superior Power Washing<O</O
Chris Chappell<O</O
361-853-2513<O</O
prostaff@superiorpowerwashing.com<O</O
Exterior House Cleaning Corpus Christi Texas<O</O
Cleaning Driveways and Sidewalks Corpus Christi Texas
____________
Superior Power Washing<O
</OChris Chappell<O
</O361-853-2513<O
</Oprostaff@superiorpowerwashing.com<O
</OExterior House Cleaning Corpus Christi Texas<O
</OCleaning Driveways and Sidewalks Corpus Christi Texas