FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Brandon Moorebmoore@tampabaywater.org727-791-2304 | 727-470-0702
CLEARWATER, Fla. (July 16, 2013) —Tampa Bay Water has transitioned from a Phase 3 to a Phase 2 water shortage status due to the increased production from the Tampa Bay Regional Surface Water Treatment Plant. The Phase 2 status is designated under the agency’s modified Water Shortage Mitigation Plan. This is the final water shortage status update for this dry season.
June and early July rainfall created adequate river flow in the Alafia River and Tampa Bypass Canal, providing enough water for the surface water treatment plant to now produce about 80 million gallons per day (mgd). The increase in surface water supplies offsets about half of groundwater supplies and all water supplied by the Tampa Bay Seawater Desalination Plant. The Tampa Bay Seawater Desalination Plant will remain offline for at least the rest of the summer.
The regional reservoir remains offline while its interior liner is reconstructed until late summer 2014. Without this source of supply, Tampa Bay Water’s water shortage phases are highly dependent on river flow and can change when dry periods return and surface water flows decline.
The function of the agency’s Water Shortage Plan is to identify when changes in water supply conditions and/or rain patterns occur. Tampa Bay Water expects conditions to continue to improve throughout the summer, which could move Tampa Bay Water out of any water shortage phase by mid-September.
Regional water facts in June 2013:
Regional watering restrictions are set by the Southwest Florida Water Management District and remain in a Phase 3 shortage until July 31, 2013. For information on water restrictions and to find out residential watering days, please visit tampabaywater.org/WaterSmarter.
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 www.tampabaywater.org.
For news media requests, please contact: Michelle Stom, MPA, APR Chief of Staff/Chief Strategy Officer O: (727) 791-2305 | M: (727) 418-4652 Brandon Moore, APR Public Communications Manager O: (727) 791-2304 | M: (727) 470-0702