Southwest Florida Water Management District Executive Director David Moore signed a water shortage emergency order last week allowing Tampa Bay Water to withdraw up to 7.1 million gallons per day (mgd) of water from the Morris Bridge Sink to help meet the potable water demand of its member governments.
Tampa Bay Water provides water to Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties, as well as the cities of New Port Richey, St. Petersburg and Tampa.
Ongoing drought conditions have caused a critical water shortage within the region. The Hillsborough River, which is the primary water source for the City of Tampa, is at a record low and is expected to continue to decline until the summer rains begin. Emergency actions are necessary to protect public health, safety and welfare.
The District is currently conducting a 30-day pumping test at the sink to determine how much water can be pumped from the sink without adverse impacts to the environment and local residents. Approximately 4 mgd is being pumped from the sink and into the Tampa Bypass Canal. The test is slated to end May 13.
Tampa Bay Water asked the District for permission to continue to use water from the Morris Bridge Sink as an emergency water supply source following the test.
As part of the District’s Lower Hillsborough River minimum flow recovery strategy, the District must have a permanent pump station in operation at the sink by October 2012. The permanent pump station will be used to pump water from the sink into the Hillsborough River via the Tampa Bypass Canal to maintain minimum flows when necessary. The District adopted the recovery strategy in August 2007.
This emergency order is in effect until July 31, 2009.