Water Restrictions Continue

Summer Rains Not Enough for Water Resources to Fully Recover

October 1, 2008 - The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Governing Board voted yesterday to extend the current Water Shortage Order, which restricts lawn watering throughout the District to one-day-per-week, through Feb. 27, 2009.The Governing Board chose to extend the term of the water shortage order because the region is still impacted by the two-year drought and portions of the District did not receive enough rain during the annual wet season.

Following two years of drought, the area was beginning to see normal rainfall patterns return, as well as the recovery of water resources. But while the rest of the state received significant rainfall from Tropical Storm Fay, the storm skirted our region and subsequent tropical systems brought drier air, rather than rainfall. As a result, the District is still experiencing a 24-month rainfall deficit.“Despite the better rainfall this past year, we have not seen recovery to pre-drought conditions,” said Granville Kinsman, hydrologic data manager.

For more information about water restrictions, the drought and how you can conserve water, visit the District’s web site at www.WaterMatters.org/drought.Questions concerning water restrictions can be answered during normal business hours by calling 1-800-848-0499 or 1-800-423-1476, extension 4498.Tampa's Emergency Water Use Ordinance 2006-104 applies to more than just lawn watering.

Visit www.tampagov.net/dept_Water/information_resources/restrictions/Emergency_Ordinance_2006-104.asp to view all the restrictions that apply to outdoor water use inside Tampa's City limits or call (813) 274-8121 for more information.