Most of the Tampa Bay area will see temperatures near freezing tonight through Friday night. This has prompted the Southwest Florida Water Management District to advise residents who live near Plant City and Dover to switch off the pumps on their wells at night and leave the pumps off until the temperatures warm up each morning.
During a freeze or near freezing temperatures, farmers pump additional water from their wells to protect their crops, causing aquifer levels to drop temporarily. Once aquifer levels fall below a well’s pump level, the pump can burn out if it is not shut off. An electrical switch located on or near the pump can turn off most pumps.
Homeowners in the Plant City/Dover area who use wells should also store water to use in case they are left without water for several days.