By a 5-1 vote, the Tampa City Council adopted the state's toughest water conservation requirements yesterday. Residents will no longer be allowed to utilize in-ground sprinkler systems of any kind. Hand watering only, with a hose equipped with a shut off nozzle or a hand held watering can is the only way that watering outside a residence or business is allowed; and then only on specified days during the week. Reclaimed water is exempt from the restrictions.

First time violators will be hit with a $100 per day fine, with fines escalating for subsequent violations.  The Tampa area is suffering from its worst drought ever, complicated further by the failure of a new desalinization plant, and the early emptying of a reservoir due to unexpected cracks in the containment structure.

Communities wanting to do some REAL water conservation can be encouraged to follow Tampa's example.

Read this St. Pete Times article for further information.