Tampa Bay Regional Water Supply and Drought Index December 8, 2008

CLEARWATER (December 8, 2008)— Surface water availability declined to nearly zero and long-term regional drinking water storage conditions continued to retreat in the Tampa Bay region in November, as the regions’ rainfall totals were about 50% below normal for the month.
Surface water flow conditions are extremely low and C.W. Bill Young Regional Reservoir water began flowing into the regional water supply distribution system about 6 months ahead of average condition needs.  Regional water facts for November:

• The region is well into the fall dry season when rainfall totals are less than the summer rainy season. Monthly rainfall deficits were generally consistent and moderate throughout the region, averaging about 1 inch below normal (normal for the region is about 2 inches), with rainfall deficits spread equally throughout the region. The month of November was very dry until a cold front moved through after Thanksgiving providing some minor relief on November 30.
• Long-term rainfall deficits for the Hillsborough River basin increased about 2 inches to about 39 inches and the Alafia River watershed the deficit increased by about 1 inch to  18.9 inches.
• River flows continue to decline, flow in the Hillsborough River was about 80% below normal; daily flow remains below the 10th percentile. 
• Alafia River flow was about 88% below normal in November; daily flow remains below the 10th percentile. 
• Regional water demand in November averaged about 242 million gallons per day (mgd), a 1% decrease from October demand.
• As of December 7, 2008, 3.25 billion gallons of water remained stored in the Regional Reservoir.

Cooler seasonal weather conditions, along with increased enforcement of water restrictions, reduced irrigation demand. Significant surface water flow deficits and long-term below normal rainfall continue to plague 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, which is not anticipated.

Following a Tampa Bay Water request, the Southwest Florida Water Management District entered in to a Level III Extreme Water Shortage for the tri-county area on October 28, 2008. Tampa Bay Water continues to request the cities of Tampa, St. Petersburg, New Port Richey and counties of Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco reduce demand and increase enforcement of water restrictions. 

For more information contact Dave Bracciano or Alison Adams at 727.796.2355.

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