In a recent government meeting, officials provided an update on regional water supplies, rainfall patterns, and environmental conditions, highlighting the impact of Hurricane Debbie on local water resources. The region experienced a significant increase in rainfall, with July seeing 2.7 inches above normal and August averaging 8.7 inches, largely attributed to the hurricane. This influx of water has been beneficial for the regional water supply, allowing for the harvesting of approximately 200 to 205 million gallons per day into the regional reservoir.

Despite the positive rainfall, the region remains under a stage one drought alert due to a rainfall deficit of three inches over the past twelve months and a stream flow deficit in the Hillsboro River. Officials noted that to exit this drought alert, the area must achieve either zero inches or a surplus in rainfall and improve river flow conditions.

As of early August, the reservoir held 7.33 billion gallons, approximately 47% of its capacity, with expectations to reach around 9 billion gallons by the end of the month. The meeting also addressed the consolidated water use permit, which covers ten well fields in the northern area, indicating that water withdrawal has remained below the permitted limit.

The demand for water in South Hillsborough County has been steadily increasing, but recent restrictions and cooler weather have led to a decrease in monthly water usage. Officials are closely monitoring water levels and operational decisions to ensure compliance with permits and to manage supplies effectively.

The desalination plant, which has been offline for over a year, is expected to come back online soon, potentially providing an additional 12 to 20 million gallons per day. This will help reduce reliance on the reservoir during the winter and spring months.

Overall, the meeting underscored the importance of managing water resources amid fluctuating environmental conditions and the ongoing efforts to ensure sustainable water supply for the region.