Tampa saves 2 billion gallons of water, achieving 2024 milestone

Tampa achieves 2024 water saving milestone

FOX 13's Jennifer Kveglis reports on the City of Tampa announcing they saved 2 billion gallons of water over the past year, achieving the city's goals when they city implemented new watering restrictions a year ago.

TAMPA, Fla. - The City of Tampa saved 2 billion gallons of water over the past year.

The announcement came after the city implemented new watering restrictions last year, a reduction from two days a well to one.

A sign with statistics on how much water the City of Tampa saved in 2024.

On Tuesday, Mayor Jane Castor and city leaders celebrated the milestone.

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"Taking that down to once a week, we were able to save 2 billion gallons of water in one year," Castor said. "That's about 5.5 million gallons of water each and every day that is saved just here in the City of Tampa."

It’s a major improvement for the city after a drought last fall.

The Tampa Bay Water wholesaler declared a Stage 1 water shortage due to less rainfall. In turn, more people increased their watering schedules. The City of Tampa had to purchase water from the wholesaler.

"We have a permit to pull 82 million gallons of water out of the Hillsborough River every day. It is treated into the best drinking water in the nation and then distributed throughout the City of Tampa, into 1/3 of Hillsborough County residents," Castor said.

Water flowing into the Hillsborough River.

"If we surpass that, we have to purchase water from Tampa Bay Water, which causes those bills to go up for certain areas of our community."

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City leaders said there’s still work to be done. Especially ahead of Spring.

Julia Palaschak, with the city’s water department, said, "What we know is that this is what's coming up in May, the hardest time for us to save water. The reservoir goes down, and our demands go up."

Palaschak encourages residents to take advantage of upcoming webinars.

"Using a compost that's made right here in Hillsborough County, using it across the lawn in the early spring increases water holding capacity," Palaschak said.

In May and June, the city will also offer Florida-friendly landscaping events.

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