The C.W. Bill Young Reservoir.
Photo by Juanita Hurtado Huérfano/WMNF News (Feb. 2026).
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The water shortage in our region is worsening right as the driest months begin.
On Friday, Tampa Bay Water announced a stage three drought. Chief science officer for the organization, Warren Hogg, says the drought is one of the worst the state has seen in 50 years.
“We now have no river water to use in our regional system” Hogg said. “We are now relying on groundwater, desalinated seawater and water stored in our regional reservoir.”
He is urging the public to increase conservation efforts. According to him, the reservoir levels projections for the next three months are showing concerning numbers.
Hogg recalls two years ago when another water shortage could have been critical without residents pitching in.
He says the effort can come in small steps: knowing your watering day, turning the water off when brushing your teeth, and reducing shower times. These actions can add up to 80 gallons of water saved per week.
There are no new restrictions yet, but Hogg says they are likely to come if the drought becomes more extreme.
Water demand continues to increase. Last month water usage was 4% higher than February of 2025.