Watering
Well, as I am sure everyone heard or read, the Tampa watering restrictions have become more restrictive. We can only water once a week. Except "Low-volume hand watering (a hose fitted with an automatic shut-off nozzle) and low-volume irrigation of new and established non-lawn landscaping is not restricted." But "Low-volume hand watering of lawn areas is restricted to the designated day and time for the address."
Why is this occurring? "Lack of rain, increasing irrigation demands and decreased flow in the Hillsborough River are causing Tampa’s reservoir level to decline faster than we normally see at this point in the dry season. The reservoir is Tampa’s primary drinking water source and this ordinance change is to help ensure a sufficient quantity of drinking water for the Tampa community."
So since we go through this periodically, and we know we are pumping more water out of the aquafier than we should (witness the sinkholes in Pasco County), why are not the City and County embracing rain barrels and cisterns for all government buildings? Why don't they require all new commercial construction to have cisterns? Think of the broad space of a parking garage and how much water it would collect in a cistern in a rainstorm. Instead of this water rushing down a storm drain it could be used for irrigation or for grey water purposes, to flush toilets.
While we are at passing ordinances, why don't we pass one that gives tax breaks for xeriscaping. That encourages the removal of lawns from all of the suburban subdivisions. That makes illegal any deed restrictions that mandate green lawns or extensive lawns. One of the differences I have noticed between surburban areas and Seminole Heights is the greater use of landscaping and xeriscaping. A lot more bushes and flowers and other plants. When was the last time you saw a front yard picket fence in a deed restricted community?
5 comments:
In the hysterical district there are no front yard picket fences permitted. Kind of like a deed restriction, since they are allowed elsewhere in the city.
i have more plants than lawn the majority of which are drought tolerant. Lawns..well I put in two new ones for my properties. I admidt to not liking lawns, hold overs from castle strategic defense (see the enemy aproach) thinking. Shouldnt we all be growing food and herbs? Buying rain barrels this year. Ten 45 gallon barrles hidden in the bushes. YEAH!
Where's all that water going? One word: Growth.
We're paying for increasing our tax base, or voting base, or um... the donation from big developer base.
Restrictions on home-building would seem to go hand in hand with restrictions on water, right? We have a supply/demand problem and certianly you'd think the first order of business is to reduce demand through conservation and slowing growth.
It's easier to just put the burden on existing homeowners and let the developers rum amok.
That said... lawns are evil for many reasons. You can't have a nice lawn in Florida without the use of petroleum-based chemicals to kill bugs and weeds (and fish and frogs). All most people really need is a small patch for puppies and toddlers. First thing I did to my front lawn when I moved in was cut it in half. As soon as we figure out of the city is going to give us a sidewalk or not, we'll probably remove everything but the strip between the curb and the walk.
Allow me to add that if you live on the river (especially) please refrain from spraying all those chemicals onto your lawn to keep it green and pest-free. All that junk runs right into the river when it rains or you water (which you'll have to frequently to keep it so green).
The folks across the river from me have a large green lawn that faces the river and I wouldn't find xeriscaping or some ground-cover any less pleasant to look at from my dock. Nor do I think that the manatees would object.
I also get very frustrated when it is the rainy season and I see sprinklers on in a downpour, or just after. In the Mia-verse people who keep their sprinklers on auto during the rainy season would be given a stern talking to! And maybe a finger or two would be wagged!
I just got sprinklers put in and they now have a rain sensor so they don't run when there's been enough rain. I thought that was a great idea! Is it now required on new installations? I hope so.
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