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Drought, Reservoir Woes Revive Overpumping Threat

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 16, 2009

It took years of intercounty conflict, negotiations and public commitment to put an end to the wellfield overpumping in north Hillsborough and Pasco counties that damaged surrounding wetlands and lakes.

But that difficult task was accomplished, thanks to the visionary 1998 interlocal agreement that created Tampa Bay Water, which supplies drinking water to Pasco, Pinellas and Hillsborough counties. The agency was tasked with developing new water sources and required to cut the pumping at the contested wellfields from 160 million gallons a day to 90 million gallons a day by 2008.

While the utility has had its share of problems, it also has fulfilled its charge. It developed a reservoir, desalination plant, surface water plant and other water sources that have enabled the region to reduce groundwater pumping.

But that notable achievement may be quickly undone by a prolonged drought and unexpected cracks in the reservoir that require repair. The 15-billion gallon facility now holds less than 2 billion gallons.

So Southwest Florida Water Management District officials are not crying wolf when they warn if residents don't conserve, they may again see overpumping shrink lakes, shrivel wetlands and dry up residential wells.

Over the last three years, the region's rainfall deficit is 27 inches. Rivers, lakes and groundwater levels are well below normal. The Hillsborough and Alafia rivers, for instance, are 75 percent below normal flow. Salt water is intruding into the aquifer below parts of Hillsborough, Polk, Manatee, Hardee, Sarasota, Highlands and Desoto counties, an area known as the Southern Water Use Caution Area because of its distressed resources.

The once-troubled desalination plant is reliably producing more than 20 million of gallons a day. But the low river flows limit Tampa Bay Water's ability to use surface water. Its officials stress the reservoir can be repaired, but it is certain to be out of commission for months, maybe as long as three years.

So Tampa Bay Water's options are limited, and if trends continue water demand will soon exceed available supply. The district, which regulates water use in Central Florida, is not going to let communities go without water. Officials may have no choice to permit additional pumping, despite the harmful impacts.

But that should not be necessary - if residents bolster their conservation efforts.

Most households already do a good job. The region's daily per capita water use is 135 gallons, less than the state average of 155 gallons and well below the national average of 175 gallons.

It should not be hard to further improve those numbers, since at least half of the public's water use goes to lawn irrigation.

Already the district has imposed a one-day a week watering restriction and has imposed tougher guidelines on the watering of new yards.

But the district is urging homeowners to "skip a week" of watering, pointing out during cold winter months yards don't require much water. That's a reasonable request. We'd go one better. Don't water at all - other than garden plants. Water has become too valuable and scarce to waste on turf.

In our view, a yard that cannot survive Florida's natural weather doesn't belong here. We recognize that many yard enthusiasts don't share our view, but the judgment of those who consider mowing and edging worthwhile pastimes is questionable.

Of course, we don't expect to see people have to dig up existing yards or even stop watering. But this water crisis does point out the need for state and local governments to begin mandating the installation of "Florida friendly" yards when new subdivisions are built.

Such yards use only the amount of turf needed for play areas, with mulch and native plants covering the rest. This minimizes the need for watering and upkeep.

But this, along with the development of new water sources such as another drought-proof desalination plant, is a long-term solution.

For now, residents should make every reasonable effort to curtail their water use - or they may soon see the region return to destructive pumping and the bitter water wars of the past.

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