Cooler temperatures, recent rains, watering restrictions and increased permitted withdrawals from the Alafia River have allowed Tampa Bay Water to add water to the regional reservoir. That’s good news. However, the region is still in a 5.4-inch rainfall deficit over the past 12 months, and the regional reservoir is about 45% full as we head into the dry season. Tampa Bay Water is asking residents to continue water-saving habits as we head into the driest months of the year.
Tampa Bay Water is managing groundwater pumping to remain under its permitted limit, but residents and businesses need to reduce demand by 5% through June to achieve that. the Southwest Florida Water Management District extended the one-day-per-week watering restrictions until at least July 1.
To encourage residents to conserve water, Tampa Bay Water is expanding its “Know Your Day, Tampa Bay” campaign to reach additional audiences. We’re also asking our member governments to help in promoting conservation messages and to enforce watering restrictions.
“While we won’t run out of water, we could go over our permitted pumping limits without concerted conservation efforts,” said Warren Hogg, chief science officer for Tampa Bay Water.
