Utilities

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The City of Sarasota Utilities Department works to enhance the quality of life of all residents by providing safe, reliable drinking water, wastewater collection, and reclaimed water to our customers. This involves daily operational and maintenance activities and Utility Construction Projects.

The Utilities Department is regulated by the Southwest Florida Water Management District, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the Sarasota County Health Department to ensure the Department complies with groundwater usage requirements, potable water quality standards and treated wastewater quality requirements.

Outdoor Watering Restrictions

The City of Sarasota has adopted the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) water restrictions:

District Water Restrictions | WaterMatters.org (state.fl.us)

Southwest Florida Water Management District Update

FOR WATER &/OR SEWER EMERGENCIES AFTER HOURS PLEASE CALL: 941-263-6884

If you are Outside the City Limits, please contact the Sarasota County Utility Department.

Sarasota County Utilities: 941-861-6790

Sewer Blockages

City of Sarasota sewer customers are encouraged to call the City of Sarasota if a sewer blockage occurs at their home or business. This service is available to all customers any time of day, including holidays and weekends, free of charge. The phone number is 941-263-6884.

City staff will quickly work with customers over the phone to diagnose the problem and determine if the blockage is in the City’s piping or within the customer’s private piping. Typically, if a particular fixture (toilet, drain, etc.) or group of fixtures (e.g. – bathroom shower/tub, toilet and, sink) are not draining properly, as opposed to all fixtures in the building not draining properly, then the issue most likely is in the customer’s private plumbing. In this case, customers typically will be advised to call a plumber. If the blockage is not unique to a single fixture or fixture group but to all or most fixtures in the building, then the blockage may be in the City’s pipes. In this case, the City will dispatch City personnel to your property to investigate the situation free of charge. Crews typically will be on site within 30 minutes. If the blockage is in the City’s pipelines, the City will clear the blockage – also, free of charge. If the blockage is determined to be in the customer's piping, then the customer will be advised to call a plumber.

Customers certainly have the option of calling a plumber without calling the City. If it is determined the blockage is in the City’s pipes, customers (or their plumber) are advised to call the City so crews can be dispatched to clear the blockage, free of charge. In this case, however, the City is not obligated to pay the plumber and/or reimburse the customer for any costs incurred for the plumber, since the City was not first afforded the opportunity to investigate and correct the problem.

Alert Sarasota

To be added to Alert Sarasota - The mass notification system for rapid emergency updates, please use this link:

https://www.alertsarasotacounty.com/

NOTE: County and municipality alerts can differ. You should register an account with the jurisdiction of your home address to ensure you receive alerts from that area. By also using the mobile app you will receive alerts from other areas based on location.

Residents are encouraged to download the free Everbridge mobile app. This app allows users to see all public notifications issued through the Everbridge system.

ABOUT CODERED: Alert Sarasota replaces the CodeRED system. CodeRED subscribers will need to register for an Alert Sarasota account to continue receiving alerts. We cannot guarantee that CodeRED account information will be transferred to Alert Sarasota.

YOUR INFORMATION’S SECURITY: Data entered into the Alert Sarasota system is only used to send alerts and will never be sold.

Outdoor Watering Restrictions

The City of Sarasota has adopted the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) water restrictions:

District Water Restrictions | WaterMatters.org (state.fl.us)

Residents are asked to check their irrigation systems for leaks and eliminate wasteful water use, such as hosing down driveways or other surfaces or allowing water to flow unattended.

There are no specific restrictions on fountains, car washing or pressure washing, but these should be done as efficiently as possible to prevent waste. There are no restrictions on the use of reclaimed water for watering outdoors.

Citizens who do not comply with watering restrictions, when in place, could be subject to enforcement, including civil penalties of up to $500 per violation under the City code.

For more information about the SWFWMD order, visit District Water Restrictions | WaterMatters.org (state.fl.us)

or call 352-796-7211 or 1-800-423-1476 (FL Only)

For more information about the City’s ordinance or questions about the restrictions, visit SarasotaFL.gov/government/utilities or call the Utilities Department at 941-263-6224. (This number is for questions regarding the ordinance or the watering restrictions.) For all other inquiries, please use the number below:

Contact

Phone: 941-263-6884
Fax: 941-365-4840

Street Address:
1750 12th Street
Sarasota, FL 34236

Office Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday: 8am to 5pm

After Hours Emergency: 941-263-6884

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