The drought drags on, raise the area's wildfire risk and stress the region's drinking water supply. Pasco County residents need to take both situations seriously. ...more

March 28, 2009

Thank you for your Jan. 31 editorial raising awareness about the ongoing three-year drought that has lowered river flows and regional water supplies to near record levels, and the concern that groundwater withdrawals may have to increase temporarily if the community does not achieve required conservation. ...more

February 9, 2009

Items of interest from the Jan. 26 Plant City Commission meeting include: •Fire Rescue Chief George Shiley and his crew displayed the city's newest ambulance outside City Hall prior to the meeting. ...more

February 4, 2009

The Tampa Tribune Editorial Board recently encouraged residents to conserve water by following the Southwest Florida Water Management District's suggestion to skip a week of lawn irrigation during the cooler winter months. ("Drought, Reservoir Woes Revive Overpumping Threat," Our Opinion, Jan. 16). ...more

January 31, 2009

Residents are complaining that Hillsborough County's water department pumped raw sewage from a broken pipe into a lake where hundreds of people have waterfront homes. ...more

November 25, 2008

Residents are complaining Hillsborough County's water department has pumped raw sewage from a line break into a lake where hundreds of people have waterfront homes. The water department agrees the water in the storm drain has a strong smell but won't know whether it is contaminated until samples are tested. ...more

November 24, 2008

With the region's drought conditions worsening, the city is still using millions of gallons of drinking water to keep lawns and flower beds green and toilets flushing. ...more

November 12, 2008

With the region's drought conditions worsening, Tampa is still using millions of gallons of drinking water to keep lawns, cemeteries and flower beds green. A report from the city's parks and recreation department shows that since January, nearly 139 million gallons of potable water has been used on city owned parks and properties, compared with about 15 million gallons of reclaimed water. ...more

November 11, 2008

Water use rules in Pinellas County will be enforced more strictly now that continued dry conditions have prompted water officials to clamp down, utilities officials said Friday. ...more

November 8, 2008

Into every life a little rain must fall, the old saying goes, but violators of lawn watering restrictions might be crying soon over fines of from $35 to $500. Pasco County water cops are gearing up for a crackdown on residents who ignore the county's once-a-week lawn irrigation restrictions. ...more

November 8, 2008