LITHIA, Fla. — It may seem like we're getting a lot of rain, but Southwest Florida Water Management District officials said there’s still a water shortage in the Tampa Bay area.
Water restrictions have been extended to September and the City of Tampa is considering putting in place permanent restrictions.
Recent showers are helping the C.W. Bill Young Regional Reservoir increase its water supply. Right now, there's almost 3.5 billion gallons of water and it can hold up to 15.5 billion gallons, which Warren Hogg with Tampa Bay Water said can fill up Raymond James stadium 33 times.
“Water levels are not typically this low although we've had water levels this low before,” Hogg said.
Hogg said the dry conditions depleted the reservoir's water supply exposing its sandy bottom.
“Florida gets most of its rain between June and September. So, as we get into the Spring dry months, March, April and May and early June the river is not flowing and we need to dip into our saving account to keep our surface level plant operating,” Hogg said.
When it's full the savings account will be 136.5 feet tall, but Hogg said we need more rain for that to happen.
“It's really important for the rain to be in the top part of the River Basin for the Hillsborough and Alafia rivers where we take water. If it rains between Plant City and the Polk County line that's the best place for rain,” Hogg said.
The reservoir supplies water for Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties. Tamera McBride with the Southwest Florida Water Management District said this puts a small dent in a big problem.
“Right now, we're at a 6.6 deficit with that 12-month rainfall total,” McBride said.
Which is below average. The district said Tampa Bay is playing catch up from last year's rainy season being pretty dry.
“We may have some big storms here and there, but it's the consistency and frequency that really helps with our rainfall total,” McBride said.
The district is extending its once-per-week watering restrictions.
“It helps encourage conservation which means the water supplies that are in storage don't have to be used as much,” McBride said.
So, water can continue to flow into the reservoir.
“This time of year in the Spring and Summer half of the water used by a homeowner is to water their yard. So, not watering when you don't need saves a lot of water,” Hogg said.
Another conservation tip Tampa Bay Water has is if it rains at your home, you can skip that week of watering your lawn. It said it doesn't just help the reservoir, but you can save money as well.