Tampa is launching new initiatives to help address ongoing drought conditions. One program will waive fees for homeowners seeking access to reclaimed water.

TAMPA, Fla. — Tampa is launching new initiatives to help address ongoing drought conditions, including one program which will waive fees for homeowners seeking access to reclaimed water.

“To water your grass and water your yard, you’re not restricted. If you have new plants you’re putting in, you’re not restricted and it’s also saving drinking water,” Nancy Stevens said.

Stevens lives on Davis Islands, where she’s created her own little island of nature. She said most of her plants are thriving thanks to reclaimed water despite the drought conditions.

“The plants are very happy,” Stevens said.

The City of Tampa is encouraging others to jump on board — and making it easier.

“If you’re in that area and you have access to reclaim, now is the time to plan on changing your usage from drinking water outside to reclaimed water outside,” Julia Palaschak with the City of Tampa’s Water Department said.

Right now, the city is waiving application and installation fees. It said customers can save more than $375 by signing up, but many people in Tampa are not eligible.

The Southwest Florida Water Management District tracks reclaimed water lines throughout Tampa Bay. While the City of St. Pete said it provides about 20 million gallons of reclaimed water daily to many areas, the map shows parts of North and South Tampa are still left out.

The City of Tampa said customers can inquire about expanding service, but each request is evaluated on a case by case basis, and expansion costs aren’t covered.

“The city should definitely look into adding more lines across the city and giving more people access to the reclaimed water,” Stevens said.

10 Tampa Bay News asked how much it would cost to expand the reclaimed water service, but city representatives did not have those numbers available.

The city has looked at expanding lines in the past but says it is currently focused on making better use of the infrastructure that already exists.