17% of Tampa residents are using 40% of the water during the worst drought in half a century

Hinzugefügt: 2026-06-02

[00:00:00]Despite the recent rain, we are still in a drought and even with water restrictions in place, the city says compared to last year water usage is actually up and it's now putting the amount of drinking water at risk in the city.

[00:00:11]>> Jada Williams covers Tampa and today she listened to a homeowner who's doing her part.

[00:00:16]We've been telling you all year about the drought conditions we're facing and right now the city of Tampa is asking you to do more to help preserve the drinking water here in the city.

[00:00:26]>> My journey really started in the backyard. At Lisa Bart's home, there's no shortage of lush greenery.

[00:00:32]>> What I have in my backyard is drought tolerant plants that have no fertilizer, no irrigation, based on rainwater alone, and no pesticides. It's just doing The plants are just doing their own thing.

[00:00:46]Her yard has become a model the city of Tampa wants others to see because right now we are still in a severe drought.

[00:00:54]Water restrictions are now specific hours one day out of the week. Yet the amount of drinkable water you use citywide increased in the last month. I think that's because it's been so dry that people are actually watering their lawns more. Mayor Jane Castor and Rory Jones, the water department directors, spoke about the water needs from the Hillsborough River Dam. The dam itself tells how severe the drought is right now. There is no water going over that dam.

[00:01:21]Right now the releases you see are for those minimum flows and levels downstream. The city tells me they have written 430 excessive watering citations since December. That's 30% more than the same time frame 1 year ago. Fines start at $100. And this map right here shows the problem areas. Some homes have been found to use up to 100,000 gallons a month. The dark shaded areas are the areas where individuals are using over 10,000 gallons a month in water usage.

[00:01:54]City leaders say 40% of Tampa's water usage is coming from just 17% of its citizens. Meantime, Upgard has gone to her HOA hoping to inspire her entire neighborhood. I hope I'm successful.

[00:02:08]But my HOA believe in me, so.

[00:02:10]>> Because conserving water at home will also help protect the manatees home while ensuring we always have water to drink. In Tampa, Jade Williams, Tampa Bay 28.