As we close out Fiscal Year 2025, Tampa Bay Water reflects on the challenges and successes in managing our regional water supply. Despite inconsistent rainfall and anticipated drought conditions, strategic planning and resource management have positioned us well for the year ahead.
Rainfall Trends and Environmental Conditions
Fiscal Year 2025 began with a surge of rainfall from Hurricane Milton, followed by six months of below-normal rainfall. Summer rains were sporadic, and September brought only 2.1 inches—five inches below average. Coastal areas fared better than inland regions, which received six to eight inches less than normal this summer.
Rainfall from hurricanes Helene and Milton led to sustained surplus river flows throughout much of the year. This allowed us to harvest water from the rivers through March and keep our reservoir full for the spring dry season. Without the river flow that resulted from the hurricanes, we would have needed water from the reservoir during much of the year to sustain production from our surface water treatment plant.
Reservoir and Water Supply Status
Tampa Bay Water used 8.7 billion gallons from the reservoir, our water savings account, to bridge the dry months in 2025. The C.W. Bill Young Regional Reservoir ended the year nearly full at 14.56 billion gallons, 95% of its capacity. This reflects successful management of our groundwater, river water and seawater sources.
In Fiscal Year 2025, Tampa Bay Water delivered an average of 198.47 million gallons per day (mgd)—slightly below the previous year and under the budgeted 209.7 mgd. The supply breakdown was:
Monthly delivery remained close to projections, with the desalination facility contributing since December 2024. This mix allowed us to refill the reservoir in time for the coming drier months.
Wellfield Operations and Projections
The Consolidated Water Use Permit Wellfields located in the northern part of our service area averaged 78.01 mgd, well below the 90 mgd permit limit. This was a deliberate strategy to conserve groundwater in preparation for the dry season when less river water is available.
The South-central Hillsborough Regional Wellfield operated near its permit limit, averaging 24.71 mgd. Starting November 2025, the permit limit will increase to 26.82 mgd from permits we purchased from TECO and Hillsborough County, helping meet rising demand in southern Hillsborough County.
Looking Ahead to Fiscal Year 2026
The budgeted delivery for FY2026 remains at 209.7 mgd, with projected source contributions of:
The driest months of the year are ahead. Tampa Bay Water’s diverse system is built to withstand dry conditions and there is sufficient drinking water supplies to serve the region; however, conservation efforts are needed to help limit waste. Tampa Bay Water remains committed to balancing supply and demand while protecting and conserving our water resources. As we enter Fiscal Year 2026, we encourage everyone to stay informed and use the water you need, but don’t waste it.
