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Suncoast Pasco News

Higher Fines Part Of Water Conservation Efforts

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By Carl  Orth | The Suncoast News

Published: March 24, 2009

NEW PORT RICHEY - With the number of citations at 1,223 and counting, the County Commission voted Tuesday to raise the fine from $30 to $130 for the first violation of the county's watering regulations.

The county is now coordinating with the Pasco Sheriff's Office to step up enforcement because of the severe drought gripping the region, Jeff Harris, environmental biologist for the Pasco Utilities Services Department, told commissioners.

"We may have to cut back even more," Commissioner Ann Hildebrand said, referring to Pasco water consumption. The county might resort to a ban on automatic lawn sprinkler systems and allow hand sprinkling of lawns only, she said.

In a report to commissioners, Harris and Bruce Kennedy, the assistant county administrator for utilities services, noted a drought surcharge is another option under consideration by regional regulators at the Southwest Florida Water Management District.

The possible surcharge would penalize water use in excess of 15,000 gallons a month with higher charges.

The county has begun installing automated meter reading systems, according to Kennedy. The equipment will give officials almost real-time information on the water consumption of each customer.
In addition, the automated readers can help control waste by detecting water system leaks.

"We're moving in the right direction," Kennedy said Tuesday, "but these things don't happen overnight."
A regional drought summit also is in the planning process, Harris said.

Carl Orth can be reached at 727-815-1068 or corth@suncoastnews.com.

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