St. Pete downtown waterfront, as seen from the Cross Bay Ferry. By Seán Kinane/WMNF News
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According to the U.S Drought Monitor, 9 million Florida residents are in areas of drought – including many in the Tampa Bay area.
The Southwest Florida Water Management District has issued water restrictions for the entire region.
The restrictions apply to the Tampa Bay Area as well as a number of nearby counties.
They prohibit “wasteful and unnecessary water use.”
Warren Hogg is the Chief Science Officer for Tampa Bay Water.
He said the drought is caused by significantly below-normal rainfall.
“September received less than two inches of rain, which was over six inches less than we expected. And October and November have both been exceedingly dry. So we’re starting into the dry season of the year, which goes from October through May, and it’s already dry,” Hogg told WMNF.
The Southwest Florida Water Management District says that levels in aquifers, rivers, and lakes within the area and statewide are declining and are anticipated to decline further as the dry season progresses.
The district reminds people that when it comes to water restrictions, including watering days and times, always refer to your local city or county regulations first.
“This isn’t a crisis. But what we’re asking people to do is conserve water. Only use what you need to use in your home and outdoors, and save what you can. It saves you money, and it stretches our water supplies,” Hogg said.