TAMPA, Fla. — Some in the Tampa Bay area have seen their retention ponds dry up as drought conditions continue.
While there has been some rainfall, it hasn't been enough to kick drought conditions. The Southwest Florida Water Management District has water restrictions in place for that reason. Right now Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco Counties have weekly water restrictions in place.
In Hillsborough County, residents can only water their lawns once a week. Throughout 2023, with different rules in place, code enforcement found people breaking the rules. October 2023 was the month where the most citations and warnings were served, totaling $4,900. County officials are warning residents to follow the restrictions or pay up.
Overall for 2023, Hillsborough County residents were fined $24,595 for not following the water restriction rules. With stricter rules in place this past December, Hillsborough County code enforcement gave people a reset button to adjust to the new rules, only issuing one citation, but 328 warnings.
People are dealing with ponds completely dried up from Sarasota County up to North Tampa. With this happening, residents feel it's so important to follow the water restrictions in place.
"It's a seasonal pond and it flows with the rains, but as you can see it's dry. Normally this is full three to four feet of water" one Hillsborough County resident, Jan Ignash said.
Water restrictions won't change until the Southwest Florida Water Management District lifts its shortage order.
Click each county, Pasco, Hillsborough and Pinellas, to find out what their water restrictions are to avoid fines.