The Southwest Florida Water Management District is advising residents who live near Plant City and Dover that they should switch off the pumps on their wells tonight and leave the pumps off until the temperatures warm up Tuesday morning. During a freeze, 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. Homeowners who do not have an automatic shut-off switch on their pumps should turn them off manually. 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 a couple of days.