They agree to seek higher water rates and hope surrounding counties will follow their lead. And they hope their example prompts Hillsborough and Pinellas counties to do the same. We'll shame the rest into it. The city of Tampa, facing drastically low levels in the Hillsborough River, needs the extra water to meet customer demand. In light of the proposed pumping increase, most of which would be born by ecologically stressed Pasco well fields, commissioners sought ways to reduce consumption.
Large users tend to be green lawn aficionados and swimming pool owners.
Commissioner Ted Schrader, who represents Pasco on the Tampa Bay Water board, started the conversation by noting that people were watering grass despite 4 inches of rain last week. Commissioner Ann Hildebrand immediately agreed. Pasco considered a water conserving rate hike a few years ago, but abandoned the plan when other members of Tampa Bay Water seemed cool to the idea. Commissioners advised Schrader to announce the county's unilateral action Feb. 26 at the next Tampa Bay Water meeting. Vergara said Hernando County experimented with higher water rates for households using more than 15,000 gallons per month and noticed a 25 percent drop in consumption last spring.