Tampa Bay Water and its members have had a plan in place since 2001 to coordinate response actions to periodic droughts.

No one can predict when droughts will occur, but we know they are an eventuality in Florida. That's why Tampa Bay Water and its member governments put together a comprehensive Drought Mitigation Plan.

The purpose of the drought mitigation plan is to identify and simplify specific actions that will be taken during periods of hydrologic drought and corresponding water supply shortfalls. The plan outlines when various levels of water supply shortage occur and identifies the actions to be taken. It differs from historical water shortage approaches by including hydrologic triggers associated with specific demand management and supply augmentation actions. This approach aids in communication and credibility with the public through consistent and defined triggers and actions.

As drought conditions occur, the plan focuses first on increasing conservation, but if conditions worsen, the program anticipates the need for a permanent emergency supply.

Tampa Bay Water and its member governments are working on an updated Drought Mitigation Plan, which could be ready by late 2007 or early 2008.