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05Jun
May Rains Bring Relief—but Not Enough to End Tampa Bay Water Shortage 
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News Release

For Immediate Release

Contact: Brandon Moore
bmoore@tampabaywater.org
(727) 791-2304

CLEARWATER, Fla. (June 5, 2026) – Tampa Bay Water is urging residents to continue conserving water as the region waits for consistent summer rainfall to restore water supplies. The Tampa Bay region remains in a Stage 3 Regional Supply Shortage under the agency’s Water Shortage Mitigation Plan, as the prolonged rainfall deficit continues to limit available river flows to treat for drinking water and refill the utility’s regional reservoir. 

“It takes time to get into a drought, and it will take some time to get out,” said Warren Hogg, chief science officer for Tampa Bay Water. “Exiting the Stage 3 Shortage could take a few months of sustained rain, so we need residents to continue water-saving efforts.” 

Above-average rainfall in May provided some short-term relief by helping reduce water demands as residents turned off sprinklers in favor of Mother Nature watering their lawns, but it was not enough to substantially reduce the rainfall deficit. 

Residents play an important role in conserving the region’s water supply. Limiting outdoor irrigation remains one of the most impactful ways to save water. Lawns generally need water no more than once per week, and irrigation should be skipped after rainfall. 

If watering is needed, residents should check that an irrigation system rain shut-off device is installed and functioning properly, so sprinklers do not run unnecessarily. Soil-moisture sensors can further reduce unnecessary watering.

Ways residents can continue to Step Up & Save: 

  • Visit mywaterday.org to find your lawn watering day 
  • Water lawns no more than one day per week and only during allowed times 
  • Turn off sprinklers and skip a week of watering when it rains 
  • Wait for regular summer rain before planting new landscaping or laying sod 
  • Fix broken sprinkler heads, leaking irrigation lines, faucets and running toilets 
  • Run dishwashers and washing machines only with full loads 
  • Take shorter showers 
  • Turn off the tap while brushing teeth or shaving 

Residents can learn more about simple ways to save water at tampabaywater.org/stepup. Tampa Bay Water’s regional system uses a combination of groundwater, river water and seawater sources for drinking water. During dry conditions, when river flows are limited, the utility depends more heavily on groundwater, seawater and river water stored in the regional reservoir. Continued conservation helps extend these supplies and keeps more water in the environment where it’s needed. 

Regional Water Supply System Facts as of June 1, 2026: 

  • Tampa Bay Water delivered an average of 218.01 million gallons per day in May, 0.62% lower than May 2025. 
  • The region is experiencing a 12-month average rainfall deficit of 8.91 inches. 
  • May rainfall averaged 5.71 inches, 3.3 inches above normal. 
  • The average streamflow deficit for the past year is 23.3 million gallons per day. 
  • The C.W. Bill Young Regional Reservoir held 3.39 billion gallons at the end of May, about 21.9% of its 15.5-billion-gallon capacity. 
  • The Tampa Bay Seawater Desalination Plant produced an average of 9.83 million gallons per day in May. 

Tampa Bay Water will continue monitoring supply conditions and working with its member governments throughout the shortage. 

 

About Tampa Bay Water
Tampa Bay Water provides wholesale water to the public utility systems of Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties, as well as the cities of New Port Richey, St. Petersburg and Tampa. To learn more about Tampa Bay Water, please visit tampabaywater.org.