The regional reservoir supplying Pinellas County's drinking water nearly doubled its storage in 30 days, reaching 10.4 billion gallons as of Friday, Oct. 9.

Chuck Carden, general manager of Tampa Bay Water, presented the numbers at the Pinellas County Commission meeting that day. The C.W. Bill Young Regional Reservoir holds a maximum of 15.5 billion gallons, meaning it sat at about two-thirds capacity after weeks of heavy rain. Thirty days earlier, it held just 5.5 billion gallons.

"It's a happy, happy dance for us," Carden told commissioners, as first reported by the St. Pete Catalyst. "I think we have a chance for a full reservoir before we get to the dry season."

Carden said 210 million gallons flowed into the reservoir on Oct. 9 alone. He estimated that single-day gain could cover seven to 10 days of additional supply. Tampa Bay Water's three-county system serving Pinellas, Hillsborough and Pasco counties averages about 206 million gallons in daily demand.

The rebound is striking.

When the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) extended water restrictions on Sept. 23, Tampa Bay Water Chief Science Officer Warren Hogg told WTSP the reservoir held about 8.3 billion gallons. It dropped further before October rains pushed it back to 10.4 billion. "It takes a long time to get into a drought like this, and it takes a long time to get out," Hogg said at the time.

The region's 12-month rainfall total through August was still 15.4 inches below normal, according to SWFWMD.

Restrictions stay through March

Despite the rebound, one-day-per-week watering restrictions remain in effect through March 31, 2027. SWFWMD declared the Modified Phase III "Extreme" Water Shortage on March 24, with restrictions starting April 3. The order has been extended twice since then.

For Pinellas County Utilities customers north of State Road 580, which includes Palm Harbor, the schedule is straightforward: even-numbered addresses water Saturdays only, odd-numbered addresses water Wednesdays only. Violations carry a $193 fine.

Pinellas County Commission Chair Dave Eggers, a former Dunedin mayor, stressed the reservoir's role heading into the dry months. He called it a "shock absorber" for the region's water system.

Carden said the goal is still to reach the full 15.5 billion gallons before dry season begins.