Due to some unusual circumstances, we obtain sewer service through Hillsborough County and water service through the city of Tampa.
The city offers a great workbook to help you investigate potential leaks along with opportunities to reduce your water use in and around your home.
The water department’s website also offers a variety of interesting water-saving tips and insights:
- Just one leaky toilet can increase water usage between $5 and $80 per month.
- New high-efficient front loading, horizontal axis clothes washers use an average of 30% less water and 40-50% less energy than the older top-loading washer, which use 40-45 gallons of water per load.
- Dishwashers only use about 15 gallons per cycle but pre-rinsing can add another 13-21 gallons in just 3 minutes.
- Running a 3/4-inch hose requires 14 – 20 gallons per minute.
- Taking a 5-minute shower typically uses 12.5 gallons. Taking a bath usually uses 25 to 45 gallons.
You may also request a variety of useful resources from the city:
- FREE plumbing retrofit kit to aerate an improve efficiency of showerheads and home faucets
- FREE rain sensor to automatically skip lawn irrigation during or soon after rainfall (required by Florida law)
- FREE rain barrel to save rainwater for your lawn and other outdoor uses
A number of residents have also asked about the viability of bringing reclaimed water to Dana Shores. County representatives indicate that every neighborhood between us and Westchase would need to install reclaimed water first. We were also made aware of efforts to bring reclaimed water in from the other side of the airport on behalf of Rocky Point Golf Course a few years ago. These efforts, however, were unsuccessful.
We will continue to monitor our opportunities, and we will keep you informed if things change. With regard to timing, some have also asked if there would be any significant savings if we were to install a reclaimed system at the same time TECO buries our power. Because electric and water must use different underground lines and equipment, they must be installed separately and there is no such opportunity for cost savings.
Many of the older, concrete water meter boxes have sunken or cracked over time. The city will replace your box for free with a high-density plastic box set at grade level.
3-Step Replacement Process:
- If you have a concern that your water meter box sits below grade level, is broken, or has a cracked lid, you may call the City of Tampa Utilities @ 274.7400 to report your concern.
- A technician will visit and check to see if the water meter box is set too low in the ground or in need of other repair. (The site visit typically occurs within 7-10 days, max. 30 days.)
- The technician will install a new, high-density plastic box if your current box is below grade level or is broken. Last we checked, there was no cost to the homeowner.
Please read about your watering day and other restrictions.
Not everything labeled “flushable” really is. To prevent sewer overflows and backups affecting your property, mind the advice of Hillsborough County Public Utilities. Hillsborough County has also set up a program for recycling cooking oil to prevent sewage spills. Click here to learn more.
Comments are closed.