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06Feb
More Conservation Needed As Spring Dry-season Approaches
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News Release

For Immediate Release

Contact: Brandon Moore
bmoore@tampabaywater.org
(727) 791-2304 | (727) 470-0702

CLEARWATER, Fla. (Feb. 6, 2024) – El Niño rainfall, cooler weather and watering restrictions have helped lower water use in the Tampa Bay area; however, the region remains in a Stage 1 Drought Alert with the driest months of the year fast-approaching.

Tampa Bay Water asks residents to continue water-thrifty habits into March, April and May, which are the driest months of the year in Tampa Bay.

Residents should not overwater this spring and only water on their designated day. Outdoor watering in Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties is limited to one-day-per-week per the Southwest Florida Water Management District water shortage order that took effect on Dec. 1, 2023. Residents can find their watering day by simply entering their zip codes at MyWaterDay.org.

Other ways to save water include:

  • Smart Lawn Watering: By skipping an irrigation cycle when it rains or has rained, you can save between 1,500 and 2,500 gallons of water.
  • Leak Detection: The average family can waste 180 gallons per week, or 9,400 gallons of water annually, from household leaks.
  • Toilet Flapper Check: A warped or poorly fitting flapper can waste up to 200 gallons of water a day and may cost you hundreds of dollars a year.
  • Turn Off the Tap: Turning off the tap while brushing your teeth can save 8 gallons of water per day.
  • Maximize Dishwasher and Laundry Loads: Running dishwashers only when it's full can save the average family nearly 320 gallons of water annually.
  • Hose Nozzle Usage: Using a hose nozzle saves about 8 gallons per minute by keeping the water from running constantly.
  • Fix Broken Sprinklers: A broken sprinkler can waste 25,000 gallons of water in six months.
  • Get rebates for water-efficient upgrades: Install water efficient fixtures and technology and receive rebates through the Tampa Bay Water Wise program.

Regional water facts as of Feb. 1, 2024:

  • The region remains in a Stage 1 Drought Alert due to an 8.3-inch rainfall deficit averaged over the past 12 months.
  • Rainfall in January averaged about 2.7 inches, 0.2 inches below normal.
  • Average river flows are in a 9.1 million gallons per day (mgd) deficit when looking at the past 12 months. When river flows are lower, less water is available to support the regional surface water system.
  • Regional water demands in January averaged 186.77 mgd 7.43 mgd higher than January 2023, but 4.38 mgd lower than demands in December 2023.
  • The C.W. Bill Young Regional Reservoir is at 7.1 billion gallons, 46% of its 15.5-billion-gallon capacity, which helps maintain water supply to the Tampa Bay Regional Surface Water Treatment Plant.