All Departments Drying up and sinking in As the drought deepens, nature is showing more signs of stress.
Water use is up and there's still no sign of rain.
In Hillsborough County there's talk of a fireworks-free Fourth of July. In St. Petersburg, recycled sewer water is suddenly at a premium. Everywhere, the Tampa Bay area is showing the effects of a severe drought threatening to become an extreme one. Faced with restrictions and pleas for conservation, Tampa Bay residents responded last month by using even more water. That's a record high monthly demand, and that's with one-day per week watering restrictions.