News Releases

News Release

For Immediate Release

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

CLEARWATER, Fla. (Feb. 5, 2026) – Tampa Bay Water warns of worsening drought conditions as lower-than-normal rainfall and streamflow continue across the region. The regional utility is asking residents to comply with the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s tighter watering restrictions, which go into effect February 8. One-day-per-week lawn watering saves drinking water during drought conditions.  

“It’s important for residents to know their conservation efforts can make a big difference,” said Warren Hogg, chief science officer for Tampa Bay Water. “Two years ago, residents in our region helped reduce water demands by up to 30 percent by simply sticking to watering days and using only the water you need inside your home.” 

Water utility customers of Tampa Bay Water’s member governments—Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties and the cities of St. Petersburg, New Port Richey and Tampa—can find their allowed watering day by checking their zip codes at MyWaterDay.org. 

As of February 1, rainfall deficits have exceeded 5 inches and streamflow deficits exceeded 10 million gallons per day, triggering Tampa Bay Water’s Stage 2 Drought Warning for its service area. Prolonged dry periods can lead to lower river flows, decreased storage in the regional reservoir and more aggressive cutbacks to water use. 

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

• Regional water demands in January averaged 191.3 million gallons per day, 2.4 percent higher than January of 2025. 
• Tampa Bay Water triggered a Stage 2 Drought Warning on Feb. 1, 2026, under its Water Shortage Mitigation Plan, which includes measures to reduce regional water demands. 
• The average rainfall deficit over the past 12 months is 10.84 inches. 
• Rainfall in January averaged 0.96 inches, 1.92 inches below normal. 
• The average streamflow deficit over the past 12 months is 11.47 million gallons per day. 
• Tampa Bay Water’s C.W. Bill Young Regional Reservoir, the region’s water savings account, is currently storing 8.77 billion gallons, 56.6 percent of its 15.5-billion-gallon capacity. 
• The Tampa Bay Seawater Desalination Plant, the region’s drought-proof water supply, produced an average of 12.17 million gallons per day in January. 
• The regional reservoir will help maintain the water supply to the Tampa Bay Regional Surface Water Treatment Plant until regular rain returns and river flows increase this summer. 
• Tampa Bay Water is currently under its water use permit withdrawal limits for wellfields in northern Tampa Bay. 

Looking Ahead  

Less rainfall means increased water demand due to outdoor watering, and regional river systems that supply drinking water have lower flows. To meet water demands this dry season, Tampa Bay Water will rely on groundwater and seawater sources and river water stored in the regional reservoir. Tampa Bay Water’s diverse system is built to withstand dry conditions and there are sufficient drinking water supplies to serve the region; however, conservation efforts extend the utility’s water supplies and leave more for the environment, where it's needed. 

Looking ahead to spring, typically the driest months of the year in our region, conditions will be dry and hot. As temperatures increase, so do water demands, which can strain local water supply systems. 

“With the driest months of the year still ahead of us, it’s important for residents to make these changes now,” said Hogg. “As we get to our typical spring dry season, we expect conditions to worsen.”

Conservation Tips 

With up to 50% of water used at home going to outdoor watering, residents can save the most outdoors.   

Ways to save water outdoors include:  

• Know your watering days: Watering restrictions are year-round in the Tampa Bay area. Find your local utility’s watering restrictions by entering your zip code at MyWaterDay.org.  
• Water for winter: Landscapes are dormant and only need water every 10-14 days during winter months. 
• Skip a week of watering: When it’s raining or rain is in the forecast, let Mother Nature water your lawn for free. This can save 1,500 and 2,500 gallons of water.  
• Inspect your irrigation system: Broken and blocked sprinkler heads can waste 25,000 gallons of water in six months. Regular inspections avoid waste and help make sure you’re not watering the sidewalk. Rebates for irrigation inspections are available through the Tampa Bay Water Wise Program at tampabaywaterwise.org.  
• Use a hose nozzle: Using a hose nozzle saves about 8 gallons per minute by keeping the water from running constantly.  

Even if you don’t water your yard, there are other ways to save including:  

• Look for leaks: Save up to 180 gallons per week, or 9,400 gallons of water annually, by fixing household leaks.  
• Check your flapper: A leaking toilet 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 and clothes washers only when it's full can save the average family nearly 320 gallons of water annually.  
• Get rebates for water-efficient upgrades: Install water efficient fixtures and technology and receive rebates through the Tampa Bay Water Wise program at tampabaywaterwise.org.  
• Find more water saving tips at tampabaywater.org/SaveWater.

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.