04/04/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/04/2024 12:07
Faced with an ongoing rain deficit, Tampa is kicking off "Water Conservation Month" with a community fair aimed at reducing customers' water use. The Tampa Water Department's water conservation and outreach team will host a water conservation celebration outside the City Center at Hanna Avenue on Friday which all community members are invited.
Participants will walk away with free water-saving devices, easy-to-follow tips, and a chance to win Florida-native plants.
Conserving water is especially crucial now. Last year, Tampa had to purchase water from Tampa Bay Water twice and like the rest of Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas counties, was put under the Modified Phase One Water Restrictions which limit irrigation to once-a-week. Thanks in part to the water conservation and outreach team's efforts, water demand in the City is down more than 6 million gallons a day (MGD) since the once-a-week watering restrictions went into effect in December. Florida homeowners use, on average, 991 gallons of water every time they irrigate. Excessive irrigation is one of the leading water usage problems, and in many cases, accounts to up to 50% of a household's water use.
On average, the city consumes about 82 million gallons a day, with each individual consuming approximately 100 gallons a day.
"Conserving water is crucial to the future of Tampa," said Rory Jones, Tampa Water Department Director. "Through action and education, we can reduce our water demand and ensure our water resources will last for generations to come."
The department's water conservation and outreach team actively works to reduce water use and protect our water resources all year round. Team members provide a variety of services to Tampa Water Department customers including:
In addition to today's water conservation celebration, team members regularly participate in community events, speak at neighborhood meetings and schools, as well as hold regular workshops. Education and outreach are essential to helping community members see the benefits of reducing water use.
For more information about the department's water conservation and outreach team efforts, visit tampa.gov/SaveWater.