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Regionwide drought pushes St. Petersburg into a water shortage
The City is urging residents to follow its irrigation schedule, fix leaks and consider water-saving upgrades.
A regional drought pushed St. Petersburg into a Phase 1 water shortage Monday, marking the start of a new conservation push as rainfall continues to lag and water levels drop across Tampa Bay. The Southwest Florida Water Management District issued the order after months of below-normal precipitation and declining resources, placing the city under tighter scrutiny even as its watering rules stay the same.
The city is leaning on residents to follow its twice-weekly irrigation schedule. Even-numbered addresses can water on Tuesday and Saturday, odd-numbered on Wednesday and Sunday. All watering must take place either before 9 a.m. or after 7 p.m. Hand watering for plants is still permitted any day, though lawn hand watering must follow the assigned days and hours.
Officials say the message is simple: conserve now or face stricter limits later. Crews will step up enforcement and the city is asking homeowners and businesses to double-check irrigation timers to avoid accidental violations. The order also bans “wasteful and unnecessary” use, a category that includes running sprinklers with broken heads, allowing water to flow into streets or irrigating more often than needed.
The release urges residents to pay attention to the season. Winter lawns go dormant, which means they need less frequent watering. Fixing leaks, repairing misdirected sprinkler heads and ensuring rain sensors work properly can cut outdoor use significantly. Indoors, officials suggest shorter showers, turning off the tap while brushing teeth or shaving and replacing worn toilet flappers that cause silent leaks.
The city is also pointing residents toward rebates offered through Tampa Bay Water Wise, which include free or reduced-cost smart irrigation controllers, incentives for shallow wells and credits for high-efficiency toilets. Officials say these upgrades can trim both water usage and utility bills.
The shortage order took effect today (Dec. 1). If conditions worsen, officials warn that more aggressive restrictions could follow. For now, they’re calling on residents to stay within the current schedule and conserve wherever possible.
