The C.W. Bill Young Reservoir.
Photo by Juanita Hurtado Huérfano/WMNF News (Feb. 2026).
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Tampa Bay Water announced a Stage 2 drought warning last week after the region recorded an average rainfall deficit of 10.84 inches over the past 12 months. That’s more than 10 million gallons per day.
The warning triggered the Water Shortage Mitigation Plan, which imposes watering restrictions to reduce regional demand and conserve drinking water. It includes a one-day-per-week lawn watering restriction that began Sunday, Feb. 8.
“This time of the year grass is dormant,” Chief Science Officer Warren Hogg said. “If it rains, skip a week of watering. Your yard really only needs water every 10 to 14 days.”
An earlier dry season, increased water demand and the rainfall deficit caused the shortage.
Without rainfall, river flow levels remain too low for water harvesting. The region is now relying on the C.W. Bill Young Reservoir, desalination plant, aquifer storage wells and groundwater.
Since January, the plant has produced an average of 12.17 million gallons per day. The reservoir is holding 8.77 billion gallons, about 56.6 percent of its 15.5-billion-gallon capacity.
The Southwest Florida Water Management District urges the public to practice water conservation year-round, as water sources remain limited despite higher levels during the summer and fall.
“The public really helped us out two years ago when we were in a similar situation,” Tampa Bay Water’s Hogg said. “Their actions helped us save about 30% of the water that’s used. Each person saving a little bit of water really adds up and helps extend our water supplies.”
If the reservoir reaches a critical depletion level before summer rains resume and river flows return to harvestable levels, officials could impose a complete ban on outdoor watering or more severe restrictions.
The watering restrictions affect Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties, as well as the cities of St. Petersburg, New Port Richey and Tampa. Residents can check their watering day by zip code at MyWaterDay.org or find more information by calling the Southwest Florida Water Management District at 1-800-423-1476.
The C.W. Bill. Young Regional Reservoir on Feb. 5, 2026 as Tampa Bay Water announces upcoming water restrictions.