Tampa Bay Regional Water Supply and Drought Index (October 7, 2008)

CLEARWATER (October 7, 2008) — Surface water availability and long-term regional drinking water storage declined in the Tampa Bay region in September, as the region’s rainfall totals were about 80 percent below normal for the month.

Due to decreased surface water flows, stored water from the C.W. Bill Young Regional Reservoir began flowing to the regional drinking water system—six months ahead of average condition needs. Regional water facts for September:

• Rainfall deficits were generally consistent and severe throughout the region, averaging about 5.5 inches below normal (normal for the region is a little more than 7.5 inches), with rainfall deficits spread throughout the region. A few locations in the region received up to about 3 inches of rainfall, but generally less than 2 inches was received.
• Long-term rainfall deficits for the Hillsborough River basin increased about 4.5 inches to about 36 inches and the Alafia River watershed deficit increased to 19 inches, respectively.
• Flow in the Hillsborough River was about 81% below normal, about 45% declined from reduced August flows.
• Alafia River flow was about 85% below normal in September with daily flow during the last week of the month at less than 5% of normal.
• Regional water demand in September averaged about 255.6 million gallons per day (mgd), a 13% increase over August demand.
• Daily demand has increased steadily throughout the month of September, with an increase of over 69 million gallons per day to about 270 mgd on September 23 from late August. This increase is due to outdoor irrigation as many residents increased use of treated drinking water to water their lawns.
• As of October 2, 2008, 6.31 billion gallons of water remained stored in the Regional Reservoir.

Paltry rainfall in September increased supplemental landscape irrigation. Significant surface water flow deficits and long-term, below-normal rainfall continue to exacerbate conditions in the region. To eliminate the current surface water flow deficit problems and provide flows for treatment, consistent and well-above-normal rainfall is needed throughout the normally drier winter months.

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.