PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — Starting Friday, anyone not complying with water conservation rules set by the Southwest Florida Water Management District could be subject to a fine.
Earlier this month, rules went into effect that require all residents, including those on private wells, to follow one-day-per-week watering restrictions with stricter watering hours. Local governments were giving warnings for the first two weeks the restrictions were in effect, but starting April 17 citations will be issued.
“Water utilities and other local enforcement officials must increase their enforcement efforts, including responding to citizen complaints and monitoring water use through patrols or customer records. Starting 14 days after the effective date of the water shortage order, utilities and other local enforcement officials are to issue citations first without issuing a warning,” a statement reads on the Southwest Florida Water Management District website…