Dry Weather Continues, Public Asked to Conserver and Only Irrigate on Approved Day (September 30, 2008)

Clearwater, FL – Continuous dry weather, low river flow and increasing water demands are causing a strain on the region’s drinking water supply. Tampa Bay Water, the regional drinking water provider, requests the public conserve water both inside and outside their homes.

Despite still being in the active part of the 2008 hurricane season, the Tampa Bay region has seen below-normal rainfall during this rainy season. This low rainfall has created below normal flows in area rivers that provide drinking water, limiting the amount of water that can be withdrawn and treated. No water has been available for drinking water supply on the Alafia River since Sept. 15 and flows continue to diminish on the Hillsborough River and Tampa Bypass Canal.

As water availability on the rivers decreases, regional water demands are increasing as water users begin to irrigate lawns during the dry weather. The region remains in one-day-per-week watering restrictions and residents are asked to water ONLY on their designated days, or to voluntarily skip a watering cycle if possible.

Tampa Bay Water’s member governments of Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties, as well as the cities of New Port Richey, St. Petersburg and Tampa, will also be increasing their enforcement of watering restrictions and providing additional public outreach on ways to conserve.

Tampa Bay Water, the regional drinking water wholesaler, provides its six member governments with a blend of water from area rivers, a desalination plant and groundwater wellfields.