Tampa closes the year with nearly two billion gallons of water saved, following the once-a-week watering restrictions put in place around this time last year.
The once-a-week restrictions were initially put into place on December 1, 2023, as part of a regional response to drought conditions. On August 1, 2024, City Council approved an ordinance to keep once-a-week watering restrictions year-round, in an effort to reduce demand on our water resources.
In the past year, the restrictions resulted in significant water savings. Average daily use has dropped by approximately 5.5 million gallons a day (MGD), compared to the same time during the previous year.
Irrigation continues to have a significant impact on our daily water demand. The Tampa Water Department is only permitted to withdraw up to 82 MGD, on an annual average, from our main source of water, the Hillsborough River. If demand exceeds 82 MGD, the department may purchase water from our regional supplier Tampa Bay Water. Not only does this stress regional water supplies, but it also adds additional fees to our customers’ water bills. As our population grows, and we enter our dry winter and spring seasons, once-a-week watering restrictions are essential to keeping demand down.
The Tampa Water Department reminds customers that its water conservation team offers a variety of programs to help them irrigate efficiently, reduce their water use, and lower their utility bill. The team works directly with customers by providing:
- Irrigation Evaluations
- Outdoor and Indoor Conservation Kits
- In-Person and Online Workshops
- Florida-Friendly LandscapingTM Guides and Resources
- Information on Tampa Bay Water Wise Rebates
These programs have resulted in real water and money savings for customers. Residential customers who participated in irrigation evaluations saved an average of 5,000 gallons of water per month. That translates to hundreds of dollars in utility savings each year. Residents can request help by emailing the team directly at SaveWater@tampa.gov. They can also request outdoor and indoor water conservation kits by visiting tampa.gov/WaterSavingDevices.
The Tampa Water Department encourages residents to participate in its water conservation programs and continue to use their water efficiently. Residents and businesses can also learn more about the once-a-week watering restrictions by visiting tampa.gov/WaterRestrictions.