Tampa Bay Water asking residents to step up and save water
Hillsborough County is asking all residential and commercial property owners to continue observing new guidelines regarding landscape watering days because of the regional drought.
In addition to the Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board declaring a Modified Phase II "Severe" Water Shortage due to dry conditions across the region, Tampa Bay Water has issued a Stage 3 Extreme Regional Supply Shortage. Stage 3 was issued because of significant rainfall and river flow deficits and projected low regional reservoir levels.
Both declarations require all residents in Hillsborough County, including those on private wells, to follow one-day-per-week watering restrictions. Use of reclaimed water is exempt and is allowed any day of the week but only before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m.
The region received below average rainfall during the summer rainy season and currently has a 13-inch regional rainfall deficit compared to the average 12-month total. In addition, water levels in local aquifers, rivers, and lakes continue to decline, and many are below normal. Public water supplies in the Tampa Bay area are lower than expected at this time of year.
Outdoor water use accounts for more than 50% of water consumed by households, and residents should know and follow their local watering restrictions. Hillsborough residents should follow this schedule:
If your address (house number) ends in...
- 0 or 1, water only on Monday
- 2 or 3, water only on Tuesday
- 4 or 5, water only on Wednesday
- 6 or 7, water only on Thursday
- 8 or 9*, water only on Friday
* and locations without a discernible address
Low-volume watering of plants and shrubs (micro-irrigation, soaker hoses, hand watering) is allowed any day and any time.
Annual pressure washing or pressure washing in preparation for painting and sealing also is allowed.
Tampa Bay Water is asking residents to save water by making conservation part of daily routines. Here are some simple steps to follow:
- Turn off the water when you brush your teeth and save two minutes of running water every time you brush.
- Wait until summer when it's raining to plant or sod. New plants and sod need a lot of water to establish; March, April, and May are the driest three months of the year.
- Fix household leaks. The big four leaks to fix are broken sprinkler heads, leaking irrigation lines, leaky pipes or faucets, and leaking toilet flappers.
- Take five-minute showers. Play your favorite five-minute song and get out before the song ends.
- 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.
There is more information regarding the restrictions at HCFL.gov/WaterRestrictions.