News Releases

News Release

For Immediate Release

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

CLEARWATER, Fla. (April 6, 2026) – April is Water Conservation Month and, Tampa Bay Water is encouraging residents to make water conservation a priority during the ongoing drought. The Tampa Bay region remains in a Stage 3 Regional Supply Shortage due to persistent rainfall and river flow deficits and projected low regional reservoir levels.

April is typically the driest month of the year when temperatures and water demands rise mostly due to outdoor watering. Water Conservation Month shines a spotlight on simple, everyday actions that can make a meaningful difference.

“We don’t typically see April showers in our area, so this is the time to stay focused on saving water and stay aware of your overall water use,” said Warren Hogg, chief science officer for Tampa Bay Water.

Can Residents Make a Difference?

Two years ago, when the region faced drought conditions and watering restrictions, residents of Tampa Bay stepped up to help save water and reduce demand significantly.

“We can do this,” said Hogg. “Small water-saving actions add up and we’ve seen the difference community action can make.”

Tampa Bay Water is asking residents to step up and save by making conservation part of their daily routines. Simple steps include:

• Water your lawn no more than one day per week and at the allowed times. Find out your watering day at MyWaterDay.org.
• If you receive rain at your house, turn off your sprinklers. This is not the time to set it and forget it.
• Turn off the water while brushing your teeth and save two minutes of running water each time.
• Wait until summer rain arrives to plant or lay sod. April and May are the driest months of the year, and new plants require frequent watering to establish.
• Fix household leaks. The most common leaks include broken sprinkler heads, leaking irrigation lines, leaky pipes or faucets, and worn toilet flappers.
• Limit showers to five minutes or less and save up to 25 gallons of water.

Tampa Bay Water will continue delivering water to its member governments throughout the drought so residents and businesses can count on water when they turn on the tap. To meet demand during this period, the utility is relying more on groundwater and seawater sources, and water stored in the regional reservoir. Conserving water now helps extend available supplies while leaving more water in the environment, where it supports wildlife and ecosystems.

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

• Tampa Bay Water remains in a Stage 3 Regional Supply Shortage under its Water Shortage Mitigation Plan, which includes measures to reduce regional water demands.
• Tampa Bay Water delivered an average of 203.15 million gallons per day to its local member governments in March, 4.0% higher than March 2025.
• The average rainfall deficit over the past 12 months is 11 inches.
• Rainfall in March averaged 2.2 inches, 1.3 inches below normal.
• The average streamflow deficit over the past 12 months is 25 million gallons per day.
• Tampa Bay Water’s C.W. Bill Young Regional Reservoir, the region’s water savings account, is currently storing 5.58 billion gallons, or 36% of its 15.5‑billion‑gallon capacity.
• The Tampa Bay Seawater Desalination Plant produced an average of 15.1 million gallons per day in March.

The regional reservoir will help maintain water supply to the Tampa Bay Regional Surface Water Treatment Plant until regular rainfall returns and river flows increase this summer.

About Tampa Bay Water

Tampa Bay Water is the largest wholesale water supplier in Florida, providing high-quality drinking water to its members, who in turn, supply water to more than 2.6 million residents of the Tampa Bay area. Tampa Bay Water member governments include Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties and the cities of New Port Richey, St. Petersburg and Tampa. To learn more, visit tampabaywater.org.