BitFrontier Capital Holdings Inc (BFCH)

[Pro-Life]

February 16, 2009 Tampa Bay reservoir nearly dry, prompting possible 'unprecedented' water restrictions

CLEARWATER -- Tampa Bay Water's 15-billion-gallon reservoir is about a month from being drained dry, a sign of just how dire the region's drought has become, utility officials said Monday.

Now, with the region heading into the traditionally dry spring season, Tampa Bay Water is asking state water management officials to impose the toughest watering restrictions in area history.

Another possibility: tacking on a "drought surcharge" to raise the rates of heavy water users.

"We're in a severe water shortage, and we need to take action," said Hillsborough County Commissioner Mark Sharpe, chairman of the utility's board.

Rainfall has been below average since 2007, leaving rivers with less than their usual flows. The Hillsborough River, for instance, is 80 percent below normal. When the rivers drop to a certain point, Tampa Bay Water can't take any water out to fill up its reservoir.

In September the utility began tapping the reservoir to slake the region's thirst. The reservoir's level dropped to just 1.2-billion gallons on Jan. 26, and it has continued to drop steadily since.

"We have about 700 million gallons remaining, which is less than 30 days of supplies," said Alison Adams, the utility's senior scientist.

The Tampa Bay region has been under what's classified as Phase III watering restrictions, but now Tampa Bay Water has asked the Southwest Florida Water Management District to step up the limits to Phase IV.

"That's unprecedented," said Richard Owen, deputy director of the agency commonly known as Swiftmud. If the agency approves that step, it could mean reducing even further the times when homeowners can irrigate their lawns, limit car washes and turn off fountains. The request is on the water district's Feb. 24 agenda.

Although the utility is gearing up its desalination plant to produce the maximum of 25-million gallons a day starting next month, that's the most expensive water to produce, utility officials said. They're also going to increase their pumping of water from the ground, although it will likely violate their pumping permit.

Craig Pittman, Times staff writer

Posted by Times Editor at 11:29:34 AM on February 16, 2009