A call for conservation from Tampa Bay Water continues.
As we head further into the spring dry season, residents are being asked to cut their water usage by 5%.
Brandon Moore is public communications manager for Tampa Bay Water. He said the cut is very attainable — and pretty simple as well.
“Simply turning off the tap while you're brushing your teeth can save 8 gallons of water per day,” Moore said. “For most families, that's probably about 5% of your daily water use.”
According to Tampa Bay Water, the greater Bay region experienced a 5.4- inch rainfall deficit over the past 12 months.
During the dry season, Tampa Bay Water, the area’s wholesale supplier, relies on the C.W. Bill Young Regional Reservoir. It currently holds almost 7.2 billion gallons of water, which is significantly below capacity of 15.5 billion gallons.
“Our regional reservoir, we think of it as our water savings account. So when it rains in the summer, we fill it up,” Moore said. “When it gets dry, that's when we use that water. So we hoped to have a full reservoir going into the dry season, which starts in October.”
But last November, Tampa Bay Water issued a Stage 1 drought alert. In turn, the Southwest Florida Water Management District issued a one-day-per-week limit on lawn watering for Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas counties.
That restriction was extended last month through July 1.
“I think it’s important to know we've had these watering restrictions in place and I think that the region has responded, residents are saving water, and it's important to know that it's working and that continued efforts are needed as we head into the driest months of the year,” Moore said.
He added that you can find your watering day at mywaterday.org.
He also said that not following the restrictions can become expensive — the member governments that Tampa Bay Water provides water will fine violators $100 to $200, with the amount increasing with each violation.
Other counties throughout Southwest Florida remain on water restrictions as well.
Apart from the one-day-a-week rule, Tampa Bay Water suggests a variety of ways to conserve water:
- Smart lawn watering: By skipping an irrigation cycle when it rains or has rained, you can save between 1,500 and 2,500 gallons.
- Leak detection: The average family can waste 180 gallons per week, or 9,400 gallons of water annually from household leaks.
- Toilet flapper check: A warped or poorly fitting flapper can waste up to 200 gallons a day and may cost you hundreds of dollars a year.
- Turn off the tap: Turning off the tap while brushing your teeth can save 8 gallons per day.
- Dishwasher and laundry loads: Running dishwashers only when full can save the average family nearly 320 gallons annually.
- Hose nozzle: Using a hose nozzle saves about 8 gallons per minute by keeping the water from running constantly.
- Fix broken sprinklers: A broken sprinkler can waste 25,000 gallons over six months.
- Rebates for water-efficient upgrades: Install water-efficient fixtures and technology and receive rebates through the Tampa Bay Water Wise program.
