From 2000 through 2016, demand for water in Tampa Bay Water’s service area declined 18 percent, thanks to a combination of economic changes as well as active and passive conservation initiatives. Single family per capita demand in the Tampa Bay region is about 74 gallons per person per day, compared with the Florida average of 88 gallons per person per day.
The benefits of these reductions in demand are significant – about $500,000,000. That’s the capital cost that would have been spent to build new water supplies, had the region not saved 35 million gallons per day.
Our region’s population and demand for drinking water are expected to grow, so we’re working with our member governments to see if additional water savings can be achieved to defer capital costs for new supply development. For example, in 2013, 10 water saving initiatives were identified that together could save more than 12 million gallons per day for less than 50¢ per 1000 gallons. New water supply projects are up to 10 times more expensive.
Tampa Bay Water will explore water-saving options at a workshop with its board in August.
