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Get Educated On The Drought

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IN THE LOOP

Published: December 8, 2008

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is reaching out to community groups to answer questions about the ongoing drought, the tightened watering restrictions in the Tampa Bay area, and how residents can help.

The district is offering its staff members up to make presentations to civic groups, churches and other organizations.

"The district is making every effort to make the public aware of the serious situation we are in," said Robyn Felix, media relations manager. "We are urging everyone to do their part to conserve water."

After nearly three years of drought, the region still has a 14-inch rainfall deficit for the past 24 months and forecasts are calling for drier than normal conditions through next spring.

In the Tampa Bay area, the Hillsborough River the main water supply for the city of Tampa, and the Alafia River are near historic record lows for this time of year. In addition, Tampa Bay Water's 15-billion-gallon C.W. Bill Young Regional Reservoir has only 3.9 billion gallons of water in storage. Tampa Bay Water estimates that unless the region receives above-average rainfall January through March, the reservoir will be depleted by April 2009.

Community groups, churches and other organizations can request information about scheduling speakers by contacting Susan Kessel, community affairs representative, at (800) 423-1476, Ext. 4760 or at Susan.Kessel@WaterMatters.org.

For additional information on the drought, water restrictions or water conservation tips, visit the district's Web site at WaterMatters.org/drought.

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