Dunedin and Belleair already limit residents to watering once a week. Gulfport and St. Petersburg city officials are considering limiting use in their cities as well, though St. Petersburg's proposal would not change the current rules for residents with private wells. But they said the lack of rain has made extreme measures necessary. Rainfall is 11 inches below normal for the past 12 months. We're in a crisis.
Restrictions seem to be working in Tampa.
Pinellas County's restrictions take effect immediately, but county employees probably will give violators warnings during the first two weeks, Talley said. The Utilities Department has offered overtime to employees willing to patrol neighborhoods for violators after hours. Some residents have already begun griping, said Commissioner Bob Stewart. I'm saying these people have misplaced priorities. St. Petersburg officials expect the phones to begin ringing today too, even before the City Council takes up the proposal.