Easy on The Tap

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A Little Tap Talk

The Southwest Florida Water Management District has declared a Phase I water shortage for our region, including Apollo Beach, Gibsonton, Riverview, Ruskin, Sun City Center, and Wimauma.

That sounds a little scary, but here’s the key thing to know right now: there are no new watering restrictions in place.

So why the warning? Our rainy season came up short this year, and without any tropical systems bringing extra rain, we’re heading into the dry months already behind. Phase I is basically the district’s way of saying, “Start paying attention now before this becomes a problem.”

What can you do?

• Check your sprinklers for leaks and overspray

• Cut back on “set it and forget it” watering

• Use a broom instead of a hose on driveways and sidewalks

• Talk to your lawn or landscaping company about ways to conserve

For now, nothing in your routine is required to change. But if conditions don’t improve, later phases could bring strict watering days and limits. A little effort now could help us avoid that and keep Southshore greener in all the right ways.

Insider Corner

In another life, I used to be a project manager at the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD), pronounced “swift mud” if you’re in the club. In addition to working on software systems, I picked up a thing or two about watersheds, the water cycle, and why the phrase “water shortage” is a bit of a misnomer.

The water cycle is pretty much a closed system. We have about the same amount of water on this planet, in one form or another, as we’ve always had. The problem isn’t that the planet “lost” water. Water shortages are really about the aquifers and reservoirs that supply a specific area. When those dip too low, the water that’s easily accessible to us starts running short, and that’s when districts like SWFWMD start sounding the alarm. 😉 

Things to do

What’s Washing Up on The Shore This Week

Deep Fry Disaster: Part 1

Let’s start this season off right. All you deep fry demons out there, stay safe this year. We’ll bring you some quick tips before turkey day, but for now, let’s talk about what you do with all that oil you have left over.

When the bird is golden and the fryer cools down, it’s tempting to haul that pot to the sink and send the oil on a one-way trip down the drain. That’s exactly what the county is begging folks not to do. Grease and oil don’t just wash away. They cool, harden, cling to pipes, and start forming nasty blockages that can back up into homes and blow out pump stations. It’s like pouring bacon fat into your arteries. Eventually, something’s going to clog.

The fix is simple. Let the oil cool completely, pour it into a sturdy container with a lid, and don’t dump it straight into the trash or sink. Hillsborough County has a cooking oil recycling program with drop-off spots around the area where used oil gets turned into useful stuff instead of sewer slime. So go ahead and fry the turkey, the wings, and whatever else you’re brave enough to drop in hot oil. Just treat what’s left like the little troublemaker it is and give it a proper sendoff instead of a ride through your pipes.

Southshore Spotlight

Elmira’s Wildlife Sanctuary

Elmira's Wildlife Sanctuary in Wimauma is a volunteer-run nonprofit devoted to giving exotic and wild animals a forever home, complete with enrichment, care and educational tours.

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Foodies Only

Roots Southern BBQ

Roots Southern BBQ in Ruskin is serving up true South Carolina–style comfort, the kind that tastes like it came straight off a backyard pit and onto your plate. Slow-smoked meats, homemade sides, and family-recipe sauces make this rolling kitchen one of the best hidden gems in Southshore.

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