HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. – Residents in Eastern Hillsborough County need to get ready for a significant cold snap. According to the National Weather Service, temperatures across parts of the Tampa Bay area are expected to drop near or below freezing starting tonight.
This chilly weather is forecasted to stick around through the rest of the week.
If you live near Plant City or Dover and rely on a private well, officials are asking you to take action now. The Southwest Florida Water Management District advises homeowners to turn off their well pumps before the temperatures dip. This is specifically for anyone whose pump does not have an automatic cutoff switch.
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There is a specific reason why this matters right now.
During a freeze, farmers pump large amounts of water to protect their crops and fish farms from ice damage. Because so much water is being used at once, the underground water levels in the aquifer can drop temporarily. If the water level falls below where your pump sits, the machine will try to suck in water that isn’t there. Without water moving through it, the pump can quickly overheat and burn out.
The best way to prevent a costly repair is to locate the electrical switch on or near your well and turn it off manually.
You should keep the pump off until the weather warms up and the water levels in the ground have a chance to recover. If you have questions about when or how to safely restart your system, it is a good idea to speak with a local well contractor.
If you do experience a dry well during this freeze, you can report the issue online at WaterMatters.org or call the District’s Regulation Division at (813) 985-7481.
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