An edition of: WaterAtlas.orgPresented By: USF Water Institute
Latest News News Archives Upcoming Events Comments / Feedback Add News/Events

Water-Related News

  1. Home
  2. News
  3. Current News
9/6/2024

Conservation efforts continue as Tampa Bay region exits Stage 1 Drought Alert

Tampa Bay Water logo

CLEARWATER — Under Tampa Bay Water’s Water Shortage Mitigation Plan the region has returned to Normal Conditions, indicating river flows are adequate and rainfall is in surplus.

However, it’s important that residents continue to conserve water to help Tampa Bay Water replenish the C.W. Bill Young Reservoir for the next dry season. As of Sept. 4, the reservoir sits at 10.57 billion gallons, 68% of its 15.5-billion-gallon capacity. The utility aims to have the reservoir full by Oct. 1, 2024, or when summer rains end and river flows decline.

Regional Water Facts as of September 1, 2024:

  • Tampa Bay Water lowered its Water Shortage Stage 1 Drought Alert to Normal Conditions.
  • Regional rainfall is at a 0.8-inch surplus for the past 12 months.
  • Rainfall in August averaged about 12.1 inches, 4.2 inches above normal.
  • River flows are at a 4.0 mgd surplus averaged over the past 12 months.
  • Regional water demands in August averaged 188.16 mgd, 12.89 mgd lower than August 2023 and 2.36 mgd higher than July 2024.
  • Tampa Bay Water is adding 200 million gallons to the regional reservoir each day following Tropical Storm Debby.

Tampa Bay Water’s Water Shortage Stages are defined under the utility’s Water Shortage Mitigation Plan. Stages are triggered by three indicators: rainfall, river flows and reservoir levels to proactively mitigate water supply shortages driven by prolonged, below-normal hydrologic conditions.

The utility declared a Stage 1 Drought Alert on Oct. 1, 2023, due to below-average regional rainfall on a 12-month rolling average. The following month, the Southwest Florida Water Management District issued once-per-week watering restriction for Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties. The District has since extended that water shortage order through Dec. 31, 2024, to help Tampa Bay Water refill its regional reservoir prior to the region's next dry season. Watering restrictions, combined with County enforcement and cooler temperatures and normal rainfall in the winter and spring months, helped save up to 33 million gallons of water per day (mgd).

Residents should continue to skip water cycles when it rains, or when rain is in the forecast. If watering is needed, make sure it’s only on your designated day, which you can find at MyWaterDay.org.

At its August meeting, Tampa Bay Water’s board of directors approved a resolution supporting year-round one-day-per-week watering restrictions throughout the Tampa Bay area. Currently, Pasco County and the City of Tampa have year-round, once-weekly watering restrictions for their drinking water systems.

“The one-day-per-week schedule made a significant and tremendous difference in our ability to deal with the recent drought and we know that going from two-day to one-day-per-week watering can result in significant savings of potable water,” said Tampa Bay Water Chairman Harry Cohen. “The purpose of this resolution is simply to encourage other local governments in our jurisdiction to consider moving to once-weekly watering.”

9/5/2024

Manatee County: Water released from Lake Manatee dam not to blame for flooding along Braden River

MANATEE COUNTY — More than a month after Tropical Storm Debby came through the area, Manatee County officials are trying to educate the community on how the Lake Manatee Dam works – and why they say it was not to blame for severe flooding that ruined so many homes.

Tropical Storm Debby dropped as much as 17 inches of rain in parts of the county, requiring the rescue of more than a couple hundred residents from their homes or vehicles.

Many in the community have blamed county officials for how water was released from the dam during Debby, forcing county commissioners to order an independent investigation.

“When you’re searching for answers if you’ve gone through this calamity in y our own home, you want to find answers that just make sense to you,” Director of Natural Resources Charlie Hunsicker said on Wednesday morning. “But I can tell with 100 percent certainty, the Manatee River basin and the discharge from the dam did not move through the Braden River basin and creating the flooding there.”

County officials have remained steadfast that the dam worked as designed during Debby. On Wednesday, local members of the media were invited to tour the dam and question leaders about operations.

9/4/2024

Coastal flooding is getting more common, even on sunny days

Coastal flooding from high tides is getting more common in most parts of the United States, as climate change causes sea levels to rise.

Millions of people are affected by so-called sunny day flooding each year, according to a new report by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). On average, the U.S. now experiences five extra days of high-tide flooding each year compared to the year 2000.

“Over the past year we’ve seen record coastal flooding,” says Nicole LeBoeuf, the director of the NOAA National Ocean Service.

In the last year, St. Petersburg, Fla., Atlantic City, N.J., Charleston, S.C. and more than 30 other places tied or broke their records for the number of high-tide flood days. Galveston, Texas, which consistently sees some of the most severe and frequent high-tide flooding of any city in the U.S., experienced 23 days of high-tide flooding last year.

The costs of high-tide flooding are enormous. Even a few inches of water can make neighborhoods inaccessible to some residents, including those who use wheelchairs or rely on strollers to transport young children. And standing water can also snarl commutes, block emergency vehicles and cause secondary flooding if sewers back up into buildings or overflow into natural bodies of water.

9/3/2024

How a park and pond could solve South Tampa’s flooding problem

By combining man-made structures and the natural environment, city officials are working on a project that will hopefully alleviate flooding there.

Tampa officials are speeding up construction of one of the largest stormwater ponds in the city as flooding continues to affect residents.

The Mobility Department focuses on improving city infrastructure and chose what is currently known as the MacDill 48 park for the project. The 48-acre park, which the city purchased in 2002, is located off MacDill Avenue just south of Interbay Boulevard.

The pond is built to hold around 25 million gallons of water, or 1,650 swimming pools, and will be surrounded by a nature trail.

City officials say the plan combines several approaches to solve the flooding problems in the area.

“Concrete-based solutions alone are not going to get us there,” said Mobility Director Vik Bhide.

“We also need green infrastructure and generally create sponge-like surfaces, or sponge-like cities, so that we absorb rainwater more as part of our flood management solutions.”

9/3/2024

St. Petersburg water treatment facilities to host open houses

St. Petersburg logo

ST. PETERSBURG – The public is invited to get a behind-the-scenes look at the City of St. Petersburg’s water treatment facilities during a series of open houses this fall. City employees work hard every day to provide consistent, quality service so that every time you turn on the tap or flush the toilet, things work how they should. The open houses give the public an opportunity to take a peek at the work that goes into keeping St. Pete flowing.

Attendees can expect to learn about how wastewater is collected, processed into reclaimed water, and distributed at one of three Water Reclamation Facility facilities in St. Pete, or learn about potable (drinking) water sourcing, processing, and distribution at the Cosme Water Treatment Plant, which is located in Odessa. Plant operators and City staff will lead tours to show the flow of water from beginning to end and answer questions. Tours will begin hourly at 9 a.m. with the last tour starting at 11 a.m.

OPEN HOUSE DATES

Saturday, October 19 from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Cosme Water Treatment Plant
16015 Race Track Rd.
Odessa, FL 33556

Saturday, October 26 from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Northwest Water Reclamation Facility
7500 26th Ave. N.
St. Petersburg, FL 33710

Saturday, November 2 from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Northeast Water Reclamation Facility
1160 62nd Ave. NE.
St. Petersburg, FL 33702

Saturday, November 16 from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Southwest Water Reclamation Facility
3800 54th Ave. S.
St. Petersburg, FL 33701

The majority of the tour is outdoors and is a walking tour. Attendees should plan to be in the sun and wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes. Photo ID is required for entry and children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Facilities are not ADA accessible by default, but reasonable accommodations can be made by calling the Water Resources Department at 727-893-7261.

Questions can be directed to the Water Resources Department at 727-893-7261.
8/30/2024

Pasco Health officials renew Blue-Green Algae Bloom Alert for Blanton Lake 

FDOH logo

August 28, 2024

PASCO COUNTY – The Florida Department of Health in Pasco County has issued a Health Alert for the presence of harmful blue-green algal toxins in Blanton Lake. This is in response to a water sample taken on August 27, 2024. The public should exercise caution in and around Blanton Lake.

Previous notice follows:

August 13, 2024

PASCO COUNTY – The Florida Department of Health in Pasco County has issued a Health Alert for the presence of harmful blue-green algal toxins in Blanton Lake. This is in response to a water sample taken on August 8, 2024. The public should exercise caution in and around Blanton Lake.

Residents and visitors are advised to take the following precautions:

  • Do not drink, swim, wade, use personal watercrafts, or come into contact with waters where there is a visible bloom.
  • Wash your skin and clothing with soap and water if you have any contact with algae, or discolored or water that smells unpleasant.
  • Keep pets and livestock away from the area to avoid any contact with water. Waters where algae blooms are present are not safe for animals. Pets and livestock should use an alternative source of water when algae blooms are present.
  • Do not cook or clean dishes with water contaminated by algae blooms. Boiling the water will not eliminate toxins.
  • Eating fillets from healthy fish caught in freshwater lakes experiencing blooms is safe. Rinse fish fillets with tap or bottled water, throw out the guts, and cook fish thoroughly.
  • Do not eat shellfish in waters with algae blooms.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and partners collect algae samples from reported bloom locations. After samples are analyzed at their laboratory, the toxin results can be viewed on Protecting Florida Together or on

8/27/2024

Hurricane Debby added to erosion at Tampa’s Ben T. Davis Beach

The storm continued a long history of erosion at the popular beach. The bay is now only several yards from the Courtney Campbell Causeway.

Hurricane Debby did more than just eat away at the already thin Pinellas beaches. It tore up Tampa's most popular beach.

The brunt of Debby's waves came directly up the mouth of Tampa Bay and went northeast into the Courtney Campbell Causeway. There, it tore away at tree roots and upended concrete barriers.

Ping Wang, a professor specializing in coastal research at the University of South Florida, has been monitoring Ben T. Davis Beach for several years. He said the loss of sand is compounding the problem.

"When you have a sandy beach, they help slow down the erosion. Once the sandy beach is gone, then the erosion comes in, starts to attack the vegetation and attack the road," he said. "And there is actually a migration of erosion from east to west over the past 30 years."

He says the water has gotten close to the popular Courtney Campbell Trail and the guard rail for the highway.

"The Ben T. Davis Park is quite popular, it has lots of parking spots. People are just standing on the sea wall and looking to the sea," Wang said. "If we would create a beach and a little sand dune, that would really improve the recreation area."

Wang said he will propose an artificial reef be established just offshore that would help stop future storms from eating away at the beach and the causeway. Funding could possibly come from the city of Tampa and the state Department of Transportation.

8/27/2024

Sarasota Bay Estuary Program announces projects at G.T. Bray Park in Bradenton

BRADENTON – GT Bray Park in Bradenton, FL hosts two new, large-scale environmental restoration projects costing a total of $900,000. Both projects retrofit substantial stormwater treatment areas to optimize their benefits to the public, water, and wildlife.

At the western portion of the park, 130,000 cubic yards of dirt were excavated and invasive plant species were removed from a stream conveyance to make way for created wetlands. Native wetland and upland plants are currently being installed to stabilize the banks and provide wetland habitats for aquatic birds and wildlife. The project is slated to be fully completed within the next month. “GT Bray Park is a fantastic place to view wildlife. Last year, I saw a family of otters playing in the stream adjacent to the project site,” said Megan Barry, Public Outreach Manager for the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program (SBEP).

The second site, bordering 59th Street West, is complete and features a large stormwater pond previously inundated with invasive aquatic and terrestrial vegetation. The clearing of undesirable species, and planting of over $100,000 worth of native plants, has made the pond more aesthetically pleasing, publicly accessible, and environmentally sound. Both projects were led by SBEP in partnership with Manatee County, the City of Bradenton, and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Together, the sites mark the third large-scale restoration project completed by SBEP via funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Seven more projects are slated to be completed by 2026. “The SBEP is using all of the funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill to undertake a variety of large-scale restoration projects to benefit Sarasota Bay habitats and water quality,” said outgoing Staff Biologist Dr. Jay Leverone.

A ribbon-cutting event will be hosted at GT Bray Park on Thursday, September 19 to celebrate the new projects. The event will include remarks from local elected officials and partner agencies including Manatee County Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge, City of Bradenton Councilwoman Jayne Kocher, and EPA Chief of the Ocean, Wetlands & Streams Protection Branch, Thomas McGill. The event is open to the public and will begin at 9:30 AM under the park pavilions adjacent to 51st Street West. “The EPA is pleased to support continuing efforts of the SBEP to preserve and protect critical water resources in Manatee and Sarasota Counties," said Becky Allenbach, Senior Advisor for Everglades and South Florida Issues and SBEP Policy Board Co-chair at U.S. EPA.

8/27/2024

Tampa’s ‘Litter Skimmer’ has collected more than 72K pounds of trash in 2 years

That's more than the weight of a fully loaded 20-foot shipping container, the city said.

TAMPA — Two years and more than 72,000 pounds of trash later, Tampa city leaders are still celebrating the success of its "Litter Skimmer."

Launched in 2022, the Litter Skimmer has been collecting trash that has made its way into Tampa's waterways, including the Hillsborough River and Tampa Bay. According to the city, in those two years since its launch, the Litter Skimmer has collected more than 72,500 pounds of trash.

That amount of trash surpasses the weight of a fully loaded 20-foot shipping container, the city said.

City leaders say the Litter Skimmer is an "effective tool" used to preserve "the natural beauty" of Tampa's waterways and help protect marine wildlife.

The Litter Skimmer is a 43-foot boat that operates ten hours a day, four days a week. The trash-collecting boat skims the Hillsborough River, Davis Islands and Tampa Bay and collects floating debris "before it can harm the environment."

Over the first year of its operation, the city says the Litter Skimmer collected more than 26,500 pounds of garbage. Over the last year, the skimmer has nearly doubled the amount of trash taken from the Bay area's waterways.

The Litter Skimmer has found a lot of trash since it began operating, from common litter including plastic bags and bottles to more "unusual" objects. One of those more "surprising" finds was a 12-foot buoy bumper from a large ship. It was later donated to the American Victory Ship and Museum, a World War II vessel docked near the Florida Aquarium.

8/27/2024

SWFWMD: Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas Counties to remain on once-per-week watering restrictions

SWFWMD logo

Current restrictions will continue at least through December.

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) Governing Board voted today to extend one-day-per-week watering restrictions again for Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties until Dec. 31 due to ongoing efforts to refill the regional reservoir.

Citrus, DeSoto, Hardee, Hernando, Manatee, Polk, Sarasota and Sumter counties; portions of Charlotte, Highlands and Lake counties; the City of Dunnellon and The Villages in Marion County; and the portion of Gasparilla Island in Lee County will return to the District’s Year-Round Water Conservation Measures, or twice-per-week-watering, as of Sept. 2. Some local governments such as unincorporated Citrus, Hernando and Sarasota counties, and the cities of Dunedin, Tampa and Venice, have local ordinances that remain on one-day-per-week schedules.

The District Governing Board declared a Modified Phase I Water Shortage Order in November 2023 and voted to extend that order in February and again in June. At the end of July, the District had a 12-month rainfall deficit of about 5.1 inches. Provisional data indicate Districtwide rainfall through Aug. 21, which includes Tropical Storm Debby, is above average, which will help reduce the 12-month deficit. However, Tampa Bay Water’s 15.5-billion-gallon C.W. Bill Young Regional Reservoir is still approximately 7.5 billion gallons below its capacity.

The District also approved a request today from Tampa Bay Water to modify their existing emergency order for the Alafia River to help refill the reservoir. The modified order will temporarily increase the maximum day withdrawal limit from 60 million gallons per day to 75 million gallons per day when additional flow is available above the river’s minimum flow. The order has been extended to March 31, 2025.

Once-per-week lawn watering days and times are as follows unless your city or county has a different schedule or stricter hours in effect:

  • If your address (house number) ends in...
    • ...0 or 1, water only on Monday
    • ...2 or 3, water only on Tuesday
    • ...4 or 5, water only on Wednesday
    • ...6 or 7, water only on Thursday
    • ...8 or 9*, water only on Friday
      * and locations without a discernible address
  • Unless your city or county already has stricter hours in effect, properties under two acres in size may only water before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m.
  • Unless your city or county already has stricter hours in effect, properties two acres or larger may only water before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m.
  • Low-volume watering of plants and shrubs (micro-irrigation, soaker hoses, hand watering) is allowed any day and any time.

The order also requires local utilities to review and implement procedures for enforcing water shortage restrictions, including reporting enforcement activity to the District.

The District’s Year-Round Water Conservation Measures, or twice-per-week watering, focuses on allowable irrigation practices, including lawn and landscape watering, that are in place when there is no drought or other declared water shortage. The District recommends practices to reduce wasteful irrigation habits and to help condition lawns for drought survival. For additional information, visit the District’s website WaterMatters.org/Restrictions. For water conserving tips, visit WaterMatters.org/Water101.

8/26/2024

Continued flooding concerns residents near Lake Manatee

Jason Thurber spent $11,000 to repair his driveway after Hurricane Debby tore open the creek that runs underneath it.

Two weeks later on Aug. 20, a 45-minute rain storm washed away most of that work. The situation for Thurber and his neighbors on Waterline Road only worsened as the rain continued.

At the land use meeting on Aug. 22, Deputy County Administrator Evan Pilachowski reported widespread rainfall around Lake Manatee of 3 to 4 inches and 6 to 8 inches in isolated areas, all within 36 hours.

He noted the soils were already saturated. The stormwater ponds were full, and the culverts were running at capacity.

“When we have that significant rainfall on top of a very saturated stormwater system, that water really doesn’t have anywhere to go,” Pilachowski said. “There’s been some flooding along Waterline Road and Dam Road, that’s part of the system just being saturated and overloaded.”

With recent concerns raised about the integrity of the Lake Manatee Dam, Pilachowski stressed that residents should not fear a dam breach. However, he said it would be “prudent” to lower Lake Manatee’s water level.

8/23/2024

Manatee County emergency declaration extended due to heavy rain

SWFWMD logo

MANATEE COUNTY – Manatee County has extended the State of Emergency due to Tropical Storm/Hurricane Debby as heavy rains continue to fall.

The Manatee Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) voted unanimously to extend the local State of Emergency an additional week this morning. This came as staff offered an update to ongoing flooding concerns around the county.

“I do want to state unequivocally that the dam and Lake Manatee continue to function as designed,” said Deputy County Administrator Evan Pilachowski. “They are structurally sound. There’s no risk of any sort of breach of the dam.”

Parts of the Upper Manatee River Watershed have received up to 6-8 inches of rainfall in the last 48 hours, with widespread areas of the county recording at least 3-5 inches. Manatee County Utilities is actively monitoring and managing Lake Manatee water levels and river flows. Communications will be sent directly to those who may be impacted using Alert Manatee messaging. This messaging will automatically go out once the following flow rates are predicted.

3,500 Cubic Feet per Second Notice

The Lake Manatee Dam discharge is expected to increase to over 3,500 cubic feet per second. Your property has been identified as one that may see downstream impacts on the Manatee River at this flow rate. Please take appropriate precautions. At this time, the flow rate is expected to stay below 7,000 cubic feet per second. In the event that releases will be increased above 7,000, an additional notification will be sent out.

7,000 Cubic Feet per Second Notice

The Lake Manatee Dam discharge is expected to increase to over 7,000 cubic feet per second. At this flow, parts of Rye Rd may be inundated. Please proceed with caution and do not drive through water of unknown depth. Your property has also been identified as one that may see downstream impacts on the Manatee River at this flow rate. Please take appropriate precautions.

The messaging will be in reaction to inflow increases at Lake Manatee which necessitate ongoing releases of water to maintain the proper lake levels in the primary water supply for Manatee County.

“The flow into Lake Manatee flows through and out of the reservoir,” said Pilachowski. “It’s not an active release, it’s simply flowing through.”

Sandbags are being delivered to the Rubonia, and Myakka Community Centers. Self-service sandbag locations at Tom Bennett Park, Buffalo Creek Park, and Lakewood Ranch Park have also been opened. Manatee 3-1-1 is extending hours during this period of expected precipitation. To report flooding, please contact 3-1-1 for assistance until 11 pm. After 11 pm, please call 941-290-5266.

To sign up for alerts, please visit mymanatee.org/alertmanatee. For more information, please visit weather.gov/tbw/ for the current forecast from the National Weather Service. For current road closures, check mymanatee.org/storm.

Stay safe, and remember: Turn Around, Don’t Drown—never drive through flooded areas.

8/23/2024

Over 4,000 pounds of diesel, waste removed from abandoned boat near St. Petersburg

BOCA CIEGA BAY — Over 4,000 pounds of diesel and waste were removed from an abandoned boat near St. Petersburg.

On Monday, the U.S. Coast Guard said crews responded to a sunken boat that was leaking diesel off the coast of Boca Ciega Bay, a city 10 miles west of St. Petersburg.

The federal government took control of the spill response and used the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund to cover the costs, according to the news release.

Response crews then came in to contain and clean the spill. The process took three days to complete.

By Wednesday, crews managed to remove around 130 gallons of diesel from the boat and approximately 4,000 lbs. of waste — specifically diesel-contaminated absorbent material — from the water.

8/23/2024

Manatee County Commissioners get update on more flooding near Lake Manatee

Pilachowski stressed that the dam is not a flood control structure but that the county does try to provide some relief and buffering from the Manatee River flows with the dam where it can.

BRADENTON — At Tuesday’s land use meeting, Manatee County Commissioners received an update on the status of Lake Manatee following reports of widespread flooding in the area on Wednesday evening.

Deputy County Administrator Evan Pilachowski, who oversees Utilities, Public Works, and Financial Management, addressed commissioners and led with the following statement.

“I do want to state unequivocally that the dam and Lake Manatee continue to function as designed. They are structurally sound. There’s no risk of any sort of breach of the damn. I just want to make that clear.”

Pilachowski explained that the area experienced the second day of significant rainfall in and around the dam watershed. He said widespread areas received three to four additional inches of rain and isolated areas received six to eight inches, all in about 36 hours.

Pilachowski said that soils are saturated, stormwater ponds are full, and culverts are at capacity. With significant rain falling on an already saturated rainwater system, the water simply doesn’t have anywhere to go but to continue to run over land, and the flooding on Waterline Road and Dam Road is owed to the system being saturated and overloaded.

8/23/2024

Rising Above the Flood: Floridians lifting their homes above the surge

Lifting homes above flood zones grow in popularity

PINELLAS COUNTY — Some neighborhoods in Florida are too beautiful to leave, whether the homes are on the coast, Intracoastal, rivers, or canals. But the allure of living on the water can often lead to unfathomable destruction.

That's why many Floridians are asking themselves tough questions: Should they move out of a flood zone, risk being flooded again, or simply lift their lives above the rising water?

ABC Action News reporter Michael Paluska and photojournalist Reed Moeller have been working on this story since Dec. 2023. For the past eight months, we've shot hours of video, time lapses, and interviews to capture the realities of what people are living through and waiting months and months for permits to clear for a home lift in Shore Acres to finally get the green light.

Albert Jasuwan is the founder of JAS Builders. In January, he told Paluska he bought the home in Shore Acres to be his very first lift. He sees lifting as the future for Floridians facing hurricanes and torrential rains. Jasuwan partnered with Payne Construction Services, a family-owned and operated company that specializes in lifting homes.

"You bought this home specifically to lift it and show people what needs to be done. Do you see this moving forward as a market in Florida to protect people?" Paluska asked Jasuwan.

"Absolutely. We felt we needed to invest. So, my business partner and I invested in buying this house to show people how it's done. We invest in our community to do this. It's a big investment. But it is necessary. It's 100% necessary to stay. We all want to live here. It's a beautiful area. St. Pete is amazing. So to be able to stay, we got to lift and get us out of this whole storm surge."

8/21/2024

SWFWMD to hold virtual public workshop on ranking water bodies

SWFWMD logo

District to Hold Virtual Public Workshop on Ranking Water Bodies

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) is seeking public input to determine the priority of minimum flows and levels (MFLs) establishment for lakes, wetlands, rivers, streams and aquifers in the District as well as the establishment of water reservations. Legislation requires the District to review and, if necessary, revise this schedule each year.

The District will hold a virtual public meeting at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 29. Members of the public can join the meeting via Microsoft Teams. To join the meeting, please click on this link to register https://bit.ly/MFLPriority. Use of the Chrome browser is recommended for best compatibility with Teams.

To join the meeting by telephone only, dial (786) 749-6127 and when prompted enter the conference ID: 121-548-175#.

A minimum flow or level is the limit at which further water withdrawals will cause significant harm to the water resources or environment. A water reservation defines a quantity of water set aside from the water use permitting process for the protection of fish and wildlife or public health and safety. The District’s Governing Board establishes MFLs and reservations as part of achieving the balance between meeting water needs and sustaining Florida’s natural systems.

The adopted minimum flows and levels priority list and schedule for 2023 is available on the District’s website here. The draft 2024 list will be published on the site following the Governing Board’s Aug. 27 meeting and will be considered for approval at the Board’s Oct. 22 meeting.

Written comments on the draft priority list and schedule may be submitted to Gabe Herrick, Lead Environmental Scientist, at gabe.herrick@watermatters.org or to 2379 Broad Street, Brooksville, FL, 34604, no later than Sept. 7.

8/21/2024

Water quality concerns persist post-TS Debby

Tropical Storm Debby, which impacted the Manatee County area beginning Aug. 3, caused flooding and infrastructure damage throughout the region, including major disruptions to the area’s sanitary sewer systems.

The reports of sewage overflows into watersheds elevated ongoing concerns about polluted water.

According to reports from the city of Bradenton dated Aug. 4 and Aug. 5 and confirmed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, about 25 million gallons of untreated sewage overflowed into local water systems because of the storm.

Another estimated 17 million gallons of spilled sewage was reported by the city of Sarasota, making for combined estimates of about 42 million gallons or just under 100 Olympic-sized swimming pools worth of contaminated water entering Sarasota Bay.

There also were reports of overflows from other counties in the region.

The overflows entered waterways, resulting in millions of gallons of contamination spilling into bodies of water that flow into Sarasota Bay, leading to unease regarding the safety of recreating at beach and bay destinations.

8/19/2024

Clearwater hikes stormwater rates 8% to address flooding, infrastructure

The increase will pay for $232 million of upgrades over the next decade.

Residents are set to pay more for stormwater utility fees over the next five years as Clearwater invests in drainage to address flooding and respond to sea-level rise.

The City Council on Thursday voted unanimously to increase rates by 8% every year through 2029, which will average to $1.30 more annually for single-family households.

The hike is needed to pay for a backlog of citywide stormwater upgrades that had been deferred over the past decade and a major flood-control project on north Clearwater Beach, according to public works director Marcus Williamson.

But Clearwater is not alone. On average, 14 municipalities in Tampa Bay are increasing stormwater rates by 13% in 2025, with some hitting 20%, according to Leticia Doohaluk, senior manager for the engineering firm Stantec.

8/19/2024

Recent South Tampa flooding highlights importance of flood mitigation projects

  • A small, intense storm brought inches of rain to South Tampa
  • The rain caused some cars to stall in flood waters
  • The City is working on projects aimed at flooding concerns

Visit the link below to read about four City of Tampa projects to alleviate flooding.

8/19/2024

Registration open for Pinellas County Florida Waters Stewardship Program, Sept. 5-Nov. 16

FWSP logo

To make a difference concerning the issues surrounding water quality and quantity in our communities, we must understand the various ways in which we interact with water. As Floridians, we are connected to our oceans and bays by our faucets and laundries, to our neighborhood ponds and lakes by our yards and streets, and to our regional and statewide neighbors by our surface and groundwater supplies.

The Florida Waters Stewardship Program is an intensive program to learn ALL about Florida's waters. Each class takes place at a new location with guest speakers, tours and more! Over the course of seven sessions, participants will travel to locations across Pinellas County to explore the natural beauty, learn about emerging water issues, and meet with local experts.

This program will use expert presentations, online explorations, experiential learning, field experience in watershed science, and communication skills training to foster a greater understanding of these interactions and provide the tools necessary to become stewards of our water resources.

During this seven-session course, participants will travel to locations across Pinellas County to explore the natural beauty, learn about emerging water issues, and meet with local experts.

Participants will also plan and implement an individual (or group) stewardship project that makes a difference in the community, attend a relevant stakeholder meeting and explore online resources to learn more about water between class sessions.

Each class session will be three hours long and include Working with Water instructor-led presentations looking at water at the state-level as well as Working with People instructor-led presentations highlighting communication best-practices. Classes will also include time for discussions, guest speaker presentations highlighting local water resources, and a field tour.

This course has limited seating/availability. Register early to reserve your spot. Youth (under 18) are eligible to register as long as an accompanying adult is also registered for the program.

Visit the link below for detailed schedule, cost, and to register.

8/19/2024

Registration open for Manatee County Florida Waters Stewardship Program, Sept. 18-Oct. 23

FWSP logo

To make a difference for water in our community, we must understand the various ways in which we interact with water. As Floridians, we are connected to our streams and bays by our faucets and laundries, to our neighborhood ponds and lakes by our yards and streets, and to our regional and statewide neighbors by our surface and groundwater supplies. This program will use expert presentations, experiential learning, field experience in watershed science, and communication skills training to foster a greater understanding of these interactions and provide the tools necessary to become stewards of our water resources.

During this six-session course, stewards will travel to locations across Sarasota and Manatee Counties to learn about emerging water issues, hear from subject matter experts, and explore local areas with "an eye on water".

Coffee and light refreshments will be served at each session.

Visit the link below for detailed schedule, cost, and to register.

8/19/2024

Pasco Health officials issue Blue-Green Algae Bloom Alert for Blanton Lake

FDOH logo

August 13, 2024

PASCO COUNTY – The Florida Department of Health in Pasco County has issued a Health Alert for the presence of harmful blue-green algal toxins in Blanton Lake. This is in response to a water sample taken on August 8, 2024. The public should exercise caution in and around Blanton Lake.

Residents and visitors are advised to take the following precautions:

  • Do not drink, swim, wade, use personal watercrafts, or come into contact with waters where there is a visible bloom.
  • Wash your skin and clothing with soap and water if you have any contact with algae, or discolored or water that smells unpleasant.
  • Keep pets and livestock away from the area to avoid any contact with water. Waters where algae blooms are present are not safe for animals. Pets and livestock should use an alternative source of water when algae blooms are present.
  • Do not cook or clean dishes with water contaminated by algae blooms. Boiling the water will not eliminate toxins.
  • Eating fillets from healthy fish caught in freshwater lakes experiencing blooms is safe. Rinse fish fillets with tap or bottled water, throw out the guts, and cook fish thoroughly.
  • Do not eat shellfish in waters with algae blooms.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and partners collect algae samples from reported bloom locations. After samples are analyzed at their laboratory, the toxin results can be viewed on Protecting Florida Together or on DEP’s Algal Bloom Dashboard.

8/19/2024

SWFWMD deactivates Tampa Bypass Canal System

SWFWMD logo

August 19, 2024

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) has deactivated the Tampa Bypass Canal System and the Hillsborough Flood Detention Area (HFDA) as water levels in the Hillsborough River have declined following Tropical Storm Debby.

The District opened Structure S-155 over the weekend and the boat barriers are being removed today, restoring navigation on the Hillsborough River. The S-155 structure is located north of Morris Bridge Road and east of I-75 and can be seen from I-75 as you cross the Hillsborough River.

On Aug. 7, the District activated the Tampa Bypass Canal System in response to heavy rains from Tropical Storm Debby to help protect the cities of Temple Terrace and Tampa from river flooding.

The Tampa Bypass Canal System, constructed in response to massive flooding caused by Hurricane Donna in 1960, and is made up of three elements: the Lower Hillsborough Flood Detention Area (LHFDA) or Reservoir, the Tampa Bypass Canal and the Harney Canal. Flood waters from the Hillsborough River are impounded into the 16,000-acre HFDA. As the reservoir fills with water from the river and the surrounding 450-square-mile watershed, the flows then enter the 15.7-mile Tampa Bypass Canal, which is made up of five flood control structures located along the canal. The flows are then safely diverted to McKay Bay, protecting the cities of Temple Terrace and Tampa from river flooding.

In addition to providing flood control, the Tampa Bypass Canal also serves as a water supply source to help meet the drinking water needs of the Tampa Bay area.

For more information on the Tampa Bypass Canal System, visit WaterMatters.org/projects/tampa-bypass-canal-system.

8/19/2024

Tampa Bay Water offers more grant funding for community-led projects

Tampa Bay Water logo

$50,000 is available for projects that conserve water and protect drinking water sources

CLEARWATER – Tampa Bay Water now has $50,000 in grant money available for community projects that conserve water and protect drinking water sources. The expanded Water Conservation and Protection Mini-grant Program awards grants ranging from $2,000 to $10,000 to local organizations that align with the regional utility’s environmental stewardship goals and help educate the Tampa Bay community.

Community groups, nonprofits, schools and universities can apply for grant funds by submitting proposals to Tampa Bay Water by Nov. 22, 2024. Projects must take place in Hillsborough, Pasco or Pinellas counties to qualify.

The grant application and information are available at tampabaywater.org/grant.

“There are many organizations ready and willing to do good things for our community and just need resources,” said Brandon Moore, public communications manager for Tampa Bay Water. “We are excited to expand the program to offer more opportunities.”

Eligible projects must focus on conserving water or protecting drinking water sources in the Tampa Bay region and may include:

  • Public awareness and outreach campaigns
  • River and wetland cleanups
  • Environmental restoration efforts
  • Protection and preservation of the region's watersheds and aquifer recharge zones
  • Innovative solutions to reduce pollution in wetlands, rivers and coastal areas
  • Educational resources such as trainings, workshops, signage or exhibits
  • Development of Florida-standards-based curriculum about drinking water and the environment
  • Innovative solutions to reduce water consumption

Grant awardees are notified in December 2024, with funds available in 2025.

8/15/2024

Hillsborough County celebrates Water Quality Month

Hillsborough County logo

Water Resources ensures safety and quality of tap water through continuous monitoring, residents can also do their part to protect water

Hillsborough County Water Resources celebrates August as Water Quality Month, a month dedicated to recognizing the importance of clean, safe, and reliable drinking water for all residents.

This month-long celebration highlights the County's ongoing commitment to providing high-quality tap water and the extensive efforts behind ensuring its safety.

The County delivers over 78 million gallons of drinking water daily to nearly 716,000 people. In 2023, the County's team collected approximately 7,739 water samples and performed 33,200 tests on the drinking water. These rigorous testing protocols are part of the County's proactive measures to maintain water quality and safeguard public health. Hillsborough County residents can always learn more about their water and its quality in the County's annual Water Quality Reports.

National Water Quality Month was established in 2005 by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and backed by the United Nations to promote discussion about how to conserve natural water sources. The hope is to start conversations on what individual households and communities can do to ensure that there is access to safe, clean drinking water for generations to come.

The importance of water quality

Water is essential to all forms of life, and we rely on it for drinking, cooking, bathing, and recreational activities. Clean water is also crucial for agriculture, industrial purposes, and maintaining the health of ecosystems. However, the quality of our water can be threatened by pollution and improper waste management.

It is important to remember that water sources are not just for humans, but also for the other inhabitants of these ecosystems - whether it be the fish that live in the waters or the plants and animals that rely on lakes and rivers for water just like we do. Considering the little things that could have negative effects on water quality makes a difference. There are thousands of factors that can have a negative impact on the quality of local water sources, ranging from industrial pollutants like metal particulate, oils, and other chemicals to pesticides that are used in backyards.

Things you can do at home to protect your water

  • Wash your car at a car wash: Even though it might cost more than washing your car at home, taking your car to a car wash saves water and prevents toxic chemicals from being flushed down your storm drains that eventually empty into lakes, rivers, streams, and oceans. Professional car washes are legally required to drain into sewer systems so that the water can be treated before being re-used.
  • Pick up after your pet: Animal waste is full of nitrogen, which can remove oxygen from the water, leaving it completely unusable for aquatic life.
  • Don't hose down your driveway, use a broom
  • Don't use fertilizer made with phosphorus: After heavy rainfall or watering, these chemicals can leak into nearby groundwater sources. Try using organic materials or waiting for drier weather if you absolutely need to use lawn care products.
  • Do not flush expired or unwanted medication down the toilet: These products have toxic chemicals that should not be flushed down the drain.
  • Learn how to properly dispose of leftover paint: Even house paint thrown in the trash can impact local water. Hillsborough County Solid Waste collects leftover paint and other household hazardous waste at several locations.

8/15/2024

DOH-Hillsborough cautions about Blue-Green Algae at Lake Thonotosassa

FDOH logo

August 14, 2024

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY – The Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County (DOH-Hillsborough) is cautioning the public of the presence of blue-green algae in Lake Thonotosassa on August 14, 2024. Water sample testing is underway. Blue-green algae have the potential to produce toxins. Since environmental conditions can change at any time, it is important to exercise caution, even if presence of toxins has not yet been confirmed.

DOH-Hillsborough advises residents and visitors to take the following precautions:

  • Do not drink, swim, wade, use personal watercrafts, or come into contact with waters where there is a visible bloom.
  • Wash your skin and clothing with soap and water if you have any contact with algae, or discolored or water that smells unpleasant.
  • Keep pets and livestock away from the area to avoid any contact with water. Waters where algae blooms are present are not safe for animals. Pets and livestock should use an alternative source of water when algae blooms are present.
  • Do not cook or clean dishes with water contaminated by algae blooms. Boiling the water will not eliminate toxins.
  • Eating fillets from healthy fish caught in freshwater lakes experiencing blooms is safe. Rinse fish fillets with tap or bottled water, throw out the guts, and cook fish thoroughly.
  • Do not eat shellfish in waters with algae blooms.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and partners collect algae samples from reported bloom locations. After samples are analyzed at their laboratory, the toxin results can be viewed on Protecting Florida Together or on DEP’s Algal Bloom Dashboard.

8/14/2024

TBEP invites you to take the Tampa Bay Community Survey

TBEP logo

You're invited to complete a new survey about your experiences in the Tampa Bay area!

The Tampa Bay Estuary program is launching a new multi-year study to learn about the priorities, attitudes, perceptions, activities, and well-being of Tampa Bay residents. This data will be used to inform the TBEP's priorities for improving the state of the bay and enhancing the well-being of the diverse people that call Tampa Bay home.

What's involved?

If you'd like to participate in this study, click here to access the 2024 Tampa Bay Community Survey. The survey takes about 20 minutes, but you don't have to complete it in one sitting. After you complete the survey, that's it! Nothing more is needed. Participation is entirely voluntary. There is no cost to participate, and no compensation is being offered for your participation. While we can't guarantee any direct benefit to you, we hope we can use the results to find new strategies for improving the environment and overall quality of life for communities across the Tampa Bay watershed.

This study is considered low risk. The main risks to you are fatigue due to the length of the survey, and some people may feel minor discomfort when answering questions on their concerns about their environment, community, and well-being. You may quit the survey at any time if you do not want to continue, and you may skip questions about your well-being if you feel uncomfortable.

Who is it for?

The Tampa Bay Community Survey is open to all residents within the Tampa Bay watershed that are at least 18 years old. Not sure if you live within our watershed boundary? Check out this map to see if you're eligible to participate.

Want more info?

If you'd like more information or have questions about this new research initiative, you can contact the lead researcher:

Dr. Blake Simmons
Tampa Bay Estuary Program
263 13th Ave S, Suite 350
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
(727) 893-2765
bsimmons@tbep.org

Please visit the link below to take the survey — Survey will close on September 16, 2024

8/14/2024

Coastal water quality issues reported in Manatee County

The nonprofit Suncoast Waterkeeper the week ending Aug. 11 but the nonprofit issued a swim caution following the passage of Tropical Storm Debby.

The caution was based on a report from Bradenton’s water reclamation facility of an overflow bypass that resulted in 3.5 million gallons of untreated sewage discharging into the Manatee River during the storm.

The concern was for pollution, including Enterococci bacteria, which lives in the intestinal tracts of warm-blood animals and causes illness.

For more information, go to suncoastwaterkeeper.org.

Meanwhile, the Florida Healthy Beaches Program reported poor water quality at several locations in Manatee County, including Bayfront Park in Anna Maria and the Palma Sola Causeway South beach in Bradenton.

For more, go to floridahealth.gov.

8/13/2024

Agency on Bay Management expands

TBRPC logo

For more than 50 years, the Agency on Bay Management (ABM) and its predecessor organizations have led the effort that transformed a bay in distress into an international success story. Now, with the growing recognition that Tampa Bay is not alone in facing the cumulative challenges of climate change and rapid population growth, the agency has voted to expand its borders north to Hernando County and south to Sarasota. The change was unanimously approved by the full Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council.

The changes include a new name, the Agency on Bay and Coastal Management (ABCM), along with multiple organizational changes that will impact the way meetings are run. “We have environmental challenges that transcend boundaries,” said Alana Todd, TBRPC principal environmental planner and staff to the ABCM.

The expansion now includes Hernando and Citrus counties and the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program, as well as many of the beaches that border the Gulf of Mexico. “The ABM has been doing a phenomenal job and it’s great to bring everybody together to address issues that affect us all,” said Woody Brown, mayor of Largo and vice chair of the ABCM.

Those counties and many of their beach communities already are members of the TBRPC, notes Wren Krahl, TBRPC executive director. “What happens in those estuaries and coastal zones impacts us too.”

8/12/2024

Search is on for new water well sites to quench thirsty East Pasco

Lack of water availability has already stymied development plans in east Pasco cities and the county.

Earlier this month, county commissioners heard a pitch for developing 40 single-family homes on a 30-acre parcel just east of Old Lakeland Highway near Dade City.

But that wasn’t what the developer really wanted.

The project, known as Crossways, was originally proposed with 176 homes, both attached and detached, a dense development in a rural area that could not be built without water and sewer lines. Those were things neither the county nor the city had available.

Commissioners were divided on what belonged there, voting to delay action.

Much of eastern Pasco, both inside and outside the city limits of Dade City and Zephyrhills, has seen keen interest by developers but is facing the same utility constraints. There aren’t enough pipes in the ground, and even if there were, the county needs new sources of drinking water.

8/12/2024

Applications for SWFWMD Splash! school grants are due Sept. 6th

SWFWMD logo

Teachers, do you want to give your students an impactful and hands-on water education experience? Apply for a Splash! school grant today!

Applications are due September 6. Here's what you need to know:

  • Grants are awarded at up to $3,000 per school
  • Public and charter school educators of grades K-12 are eligible to apply*
  • Grant funds can be used to support activities in and out of the classroom
  • Grant funds can be used for project supplies, transportation, substitutes, admission fees and more!

Apply online at WaterMatters.org/SchoolGrants.

For questions or more information, please contact Katherine Munson at Katherine.Munson@WaterMatters.org or (352) 448-0602.

*Grants are only available to educators within the Southwest Florida Water Management District.