Tampa Bay Regional Water Supply and Drought Index (August 8, 2008)

CLEARWATER (August 8, 2008)— Surface water availability and long-term regional drinking water storage conditions began recovering in the Tampa Bay region in July as more consistent summer rainfall occurred throughout the month.

Surface water flow conditions increased enough to allow about 2.5 billion gallons of surface water to be added to the C.W. Bill Young Regional Reservoir through early August, mostly from mid-July forward. The City of Tampa ceased augmenting the City’s reservoir with water from the Tampa Bypass Canal on July 10, 2008 and the reservoir reached full status on July 17, 2008. Regional water facts for July:

Rainfall continued to variable throughout the region averaging over 2 inches below normal in southern Hillsborough County (rainfall around 5 inches) to about 7 inches above normal in northern Pasco County(rainfall over 16 inches).
Long-term rainfall deficits for the Hillsborough River basin decreased about 2.5 inches to about 29.6 inches while negligible changes occurred in the Alafia River watershed keeping the deficit of about 13 inches, respectively.
Flow in the Hillsborough River was about 47% below normal, about a 47% increase from reduced June flows.
Alafia River flow was about 48% below normal in July.
Regional water demand in July averaged about 232 million gallons per day (mgd), about 56 mgd lower than the May monthly peak of 287 mgd.
Highest water demand occurred in both early and late July (around 250 mgd), with increased regional rainfall driving demand down to less than 220 mgd in mid-month. Declines are associated with reduction of outdoor water use.
As of August 7, 2008, 6.42 billion gallons of water were stored in the C.W. Bill Young Regional Reservoir.
Operational constraints will limit Regional reservoir storage capacity through spring 2009.

Seasonally rainy conditions in August should continue to eliminate the need for supplemental landscape irrigation. Above normal rainfall during the summer months is required to eliminate the current surface water flow deficit problems, and provide flows for treatment, capture and additional storage.

Tampa Bay Water continues in a Level II Water Shortage, and continues to request the cities of Tampa, St. Petersburg, New Port Richey and counties of Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco to reduce demand and increase enforcement of water restrictions. The entire 16-county Southwest Florida Water Management District area remains in a Level II Water Shortage.