Prohibitions and Restrictions in the Wellhead Zone of Protection
Restrictions Run From Oct. 1 to Nov. 30
A portion of Pinellas County’s potable (drinking) water supply comes from groundwater sources. The use, handling, production and storage of regulated substances (hazardous and toxic materials) risk contaminating the groundwater supply.
In 1985, the Growth Management Legislation required that counties and municipalities throughout the state protect their wellfields. Florida Statute 163.3177 (6)(D) requires that land use maps in local plans delineate existing and planned water wells and, among other things, must include, as a minimum, regulation to the protection of potable water wells.
The use, handling, production, disposal and storage of regulated substances associated with non-residential activities is prohibited in the Zone of Protection, with the exception of those falling under the General Exemptions provision of the Wellhead Protection Ordinance. Activities that potentially use regulated substances include, but are not limited to:
- Auto Paint and Body Shops
- Battery Manufacturers or Repair Shops
- Carpet Cleaners
- Commercial Laundries
- Dry Cleaner
- Electroplators, Circuit Board Manufacturers or Metal Finishers
- Equipment Rental Operations
- Fiberglass or Acrylic Manufacturers or Formers
- Fire Extinguisher Repair Operations
- Food Processors
- Funeral Homes
- Furniture Manufacturers
- Janitorial Suppliers and Portable Toilet Operations
- Machine Shops
- Manufacturers using Acids, Caustics or Solvents
- Medical Facilities
- Paint Manufacturers
- Pest Control Operations
- Photo, Chemical, Industrial and Environmental Laboratories
- Pool Maintenance Companies
- Printers and Blueprinters
- Roofers
- Service Stations and Fuel Depots
- Soap and Detergent Manufacturers and Distributors
- Vehicle Repair Facilities Using or Dispensing Solvents, Fuels, Oils, and Greases
- Water Conditioning Companies
- Transformer Use and Storage Areas
NOTE: This list is for informational purposes only and is not complete. It may be amended periodically. You should also review the General Exemptions section of the Wellhead Protection Ordinance.
How to Obtain an Operating Permit
Facilities with regulated substances in the Zone of Protection are required to obtain an operating permit from Pinellas County Utilities. You can reach Pinellas County Utilities Engineering at:
Address: 14 S. Fort Harrison Avenue, Clearwater, FL 33756
Phone: (727) 464-3588
Non-residential properties that handle regulated substances greater than 10 gallons liquid or 25 pounds solid will be fall under the Wellhead Protection Ordinance regulations. Some of the regulated substances are listed below. For additional regulated substances, see Appendix A and Appendix E of the Wellhead Protection Ordinance.
Generic Substances
- Acids and Basic Cleaning Solutions
- Antifreeze and Coolants
- Arsenic and Arsenic Compounds
- Bleaches and Peroxides
- Brake and Transmission Fluids
- Brine Solutions
- Casting and Foundry Chemicals
- Caulking Agents and Sealants
- Cleaning Solvents
- Corrosion and Rust Prevention Solutions
- Cutting Fluids
- Degreasing Solvents
- Disinfectants
- Electroplating Solutions
- Explosives
- Fertilizers
- Fire Extinguishing Chemicals
- Food Processing wastes
- Formaldehyde
- Fuels and Additives
- Glues, Adhesives and Resins
- Greases
- Hydraulic Fluids
- Indicators
- Industrial and Commercial Janitorial Supplies
- Industrial Sludges and Stillbottoms
- Inks, Printing and Photocopying Chemicals
- Laboratory Chemicals
- Liquid Storage Batteries
- Medical, Pharmaceutical, Dental, Veterinary and Hospital Solutions
- Mercury and Mercury Compounds
- Metal Finishing Solutions
- Oils
- Paints, Primers, Thinners, Dyes, Stains, Wood Preservatives, Varnishing and Cleaning Compounds
- Painting Solvents
- PCBs
- Pesticides and Herbicides
- Plastic Resins, Plasticizers and Catalysts
- Photo Development Chemicals
- Poisons
- Polishes
- Pool Chemicals
- Processed Dust and Particulates
- Radioactive Sources
- Reagents and Standards
- Refrigerants
- Roofing Chemicals and Sealers
- Sanitizers, Disinfectants, Bactericides and Algaecides, Soaps, Detergents and Surfactants
- Solders and Fluxes
- Stripping Compounds
- Tanning Industry Chemicals
- Transformer and Capacitor Oils/Fluids
- Water and Wastewater Treatment Chemicals
Facility and Tenant Provision
A facility and its tenants are subject to the following provision:
No building permit for any non-residential activity that use, handle, store, dispose or produce any Regulated Substance shall be issued by the County that would allow development or construction within the Zone of Protection that is contrary to the restrictions and provisions provided in the Wellhead Protection Ordinance.
Permits issued in violation of this provision confirm no rights or privilege on the grantee. In addition, the County Administrator may take appropriate legal action as deemed necessary under the violations, enforcement and penalties section of the Wellhead Protection Ordinance.