Tampa Bay reservoir reaches 72% capacity, but Pinellas watering limits remain

The C.W. Bill Young Regional Reservoir reached 11.22 billion gallons Oct. 12, gaining 830 million gallons in four days as recent rainfall helped replenish Tampa Bay's drinking water supply.

The increase brought the reservoir to approximately 72% capacity, up from 10.39 billion gallons Oct. 8, according to St. Pete Catalyst.

Despite the improvement, the Southwest Florida Water Management District's "Extreme" Water Shortage Order remains in effect through March 31, 2027, maintaining strict lawn-watering limits across Pinellas County.

Recent rainfall helps replenish reservoir

The reservoir has gained water steadily since early October, reaching 10.6 billion gallons Oct. 9, 10.74 billion Oct. 10 and 11.01 billion Oct. 11 before climbing to its latest reported level.

As previously reported, the reservoir held about 5.5 billion gallons in mid-September.

"River flows have really picked up with rain since late August, and our reservoir is currently up to about 11.2 billion gallons, or about 72% full," Warren Hogg, Tampa Bay Water's chief science officer, told WUSF.

The reservoir stores water used by Tampa Bay Water, the regional utility serving Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco counties. The agency also relies on groundwater and desalinated seawater.

Although reservoir levels have improved, the region continues to recover from prolonged rainfall deficits.

Hogg told St. Pete Catalyst that rainfall over the previous 12 months remained approximately 10 inches below normal. The Hillsborough River's median flow was also averaging about 28 million gallons per day below expected levels.

The district considers conditions in rivers, lakes, wetlands and aquifers, along with public water supplies, when evaluating restrictions.

Hogg told WUSF that the district could reconsider the March 2027 expiration date if conditions continue improving.

Palm Harbor and Dunedin watering restrictions remain

Pinellas County Utilities customers must continue following the county's watering schedule.

For customers using potable, well or lake water, permitted days depend on their location and address:

Reclaimed-water customers have separate schedules:

Watering is permitted only from 12:01 to 4 a.m. or 8 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. Properties smaller than one acre may use only one of those time windows.

Pinellas County Utilities must issue $193 fines for violations, with penalties increasing for repeat offenses.

Residents served by other utilities, including municipal water systems, should verify their watering schedules with their providers.

The shortage order also limits certain nonessential water uses. Homeowners associations cannot enforce landscaping requirements that conflict with mandatory conservation restrictions, and restaurants may serve drinking water only upon request.

Officials urge continued conservation

The recent increase in reservoir storage offers relief after months of drought, but officials caution that several weeks of rainfall cannot erase long-term water shortages.

Hogg told WTSP in September that lawns typically need less irrigation during cooler months and may require watering only every 10 to 14 days during winter.

He also encouraged residents to conserve water even when restrictions allow irrigation.

"When you have a watering day, you water on your day only if you need to," Hogg told WUSF. "It's not a requirement. It's just your day that you can water if needed."

Residents can review current restrictions at Pinellas County's watering schedule page.