Pinellas County Utilities Places New Limits on Reclaimed Water Use

To alleviate the risk of running out of reclaimed water, action is being taken to reduce daily system demands. Beginning Friday, April 20, at 12:01 a.m., Pinellas County reclaimed water customers will have reclaimed water available two days per week for irrigation in 24-hour intervals beginning at 12:01 a.m.

On Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays the reclaimed water system will be down for maintenance and storage level recovery. This action will affect all reclaimed water customers. Irrigation with Pinellas County supplied reclaimed water is authorized for certain days per week, and only during authorized hours as adopted by the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners ordinance. The watering on alternate days should follow the schedule based on house numbers:

— Addresses ending in an even number (0, 2, 4, 6, 8), water on Tuesday and Saturday.
— Addresses ending in an odd number (1, 3, 5, 7, 9), water on Wednesday and Sunday.
— If your property contains a mix of addresses or if an address cannot be determined, such as common areas associated with a residential subdivision, water on Wednesday and Sunday.
— Watering is prohibited daily between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

During recent months, very limited rainfall in the Pinellas County reclaimed water service area and higher than normal temperatures have increased customer demand. Storage levels of reclaimed water have been rapidly declining, to the point of exhausting the water in storage and potentially damaging pump equipment.

As in previous years, this reduced availability is a temporary change that will provide reclaimed water on alternating days of the week. As a result, Pinellas County will be able to slowly restore normal pond operating levels and provide sufficient volume of reclaimed water to meet lawn irrigation needs and maintain adequate system pressure for all customers. Additional conservation measures and stepped-up enforcement may be required to maintain operations during this seasonal dry period.

This irrigation schedule is anticipated to remain in effect until at least early July 2012, when seasonal rainfall resumes in the service area and storage levels recover, at which time the reclaimed water system will be returned to full operation.

Pinellas County appreciates customers’ patience, understanding, and cooperation. For more details, please call Customer Service regarding reclaimed water at (727) 464-4000, or visit Pinellas County Utilities online.