The District continues to be impacted by the three-year drought. Over the past three years, the District’s rainfall deficit is about 30 inches. We must continue to save water during this critical time.
...a period of abnormally dry weather sufficiently prolonged from the lack of rainfall to cause a hydrologic imbalance.
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Don’t water just because it’s your day. The basic principle of lawn and garden watering is not to overwater.
View the Modified Phase IV water restrictions currently in effect for the Tampa Bay region until June 30, 2009.
View the Phase III water restrictions currently in effect until June 30, 2009.
Districtwide restrictions on water use.
Estimate your daily water use, then pledge to save 10%.
Use these tips to train your yard to need less water.
Stop the leaks, slow the flow and use water wisely!
Reduce your outdoor water consumption by taking a few simple steps.
Have your class take the water conservation pledge to commit to save at least 10 gallons of water per day.
Practice Florida-friendly landscaping principles.
Easy tips to tune up your irrigation system and rain shutoff device.
Comparison of rainfall for the last 12 months, and river flow over the last year and last 10 years, to normal levels for the region.
Learn more about the drought and the District’s actions from a water management expert with a presentation to your group or organization.
If you live within our 16-county area then you can order any of our printed materials for free.
Extended water restrictions limit lawn watering to once per week.
View our latest ads about conserving water.
Our hydrologic conditions reporting provides information about rainfall and river flow.
Stay current with our news releases.
Immediate actions to protect public welfare and water supplies.
Water Conservation Hotel And Motel Program (CHAMP) is designed to help hotels and motels save water for Florida’s future in ways that save money.
Water Program for Restaurant Outreach (Water PRO) provides free opportunities for restaurants to conserve water and save money.
Learn how one homeowners association drastically reduced its water use by improving irrigation efficiency and implementing Florida-friendly landscaping principles.
• “Communities Find Solutions to Landscape and Irrigation Problems”
• “Homeowners Association Receives Florida-Friendly Landscaping Help and Makes an Impact”
Teachers can order any of our free classroom conservation materials. Contact us for additional information and resources.
A drought is a period of abnormally dry weather sufficiently prolonged from the lack of rainfall to cause a serious hydrologic imbalance.
The District uses various drought indicators, including rainfall, ground and surface water conditions and other data from multiple sources. The National Integrated Drought Information System serves as a government portal integrating sites such as the U.S. Drought Monitor, the NOAA Climate Prediction Center and the National Drought Mitigation Center, with background resources on current drought information and general drought forecasting, planning, education and research.
Analysis of drought indicators includes characterizing conditions as either “normal” or one of four degrees of abnormality. The four degrees are moderate, severe, extreme and critical, based on a comparison to historical data.
The District’s Water Shortage Plan (Chapter 40D-21, Florida Administrative Code) addresses policy for water shortage events to protect public health, safety or welfare and essential uses, or the health of livestock and other animals, fish or aquatic life in an affected area. Data collection and analysis is undertaken continuously in anticipation of a water shortage, and is considered in determining whether a water shortage should be declared. Drought indicators, composite drought conditions and other factors are considered in determining what water shortage phase should be declared. Four phases of water shortage severity with associated restrictions and response mechanisms may be implemented before enacting emergency provisions.
Phase I (moderate) water shortage – At least one regional or local drought indicator has a moderately abnormal value.
Phase II (severe) water shortage – Multiple regional drought indicators have moderately abnormal values, or a local drought indicator for a specific public supply has a severely abnormal value, such that conditions warrant prudent actions to further assure that only reasonable water uses are occurring in the affected area.
Phase III (extreme) water shortage – Multiple regional drought indicators have severely abnormal values, or a local drought indicator for a specific public supply has an extremely abnormal value, such that conditions warrant temporary minimization of nonessential water use and/or preparation for supply augmentation.
Phase IV (critical) water shortage – Multiple regional drought indicators have extremely abnormal values, or the local drought indicator for a specific public supply has a critically abnormal value, such that conditions warrant the temporary suspension of nonessential use and/or initiation of supply augmentation.
The following governments and utilities are partnering with the District to promote water conservation by placing these water conservation signs in their communities. Please take the time to visit their web sites listed below for more information about their organizations and programs.