DUVAL COUNTY, Fla. – A moderate water shortage was declared for Duval County and parts of Alachua, Baker, Bradford and Marion counties on Tuesday as drought conditions persist across Northeast Florida and surrounding areas.
The St. Johns River Water Management District recommended the declaration after evaluating rainfall totals, groundwater levels, river flows and current drought conditions, the agency said.
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Countywide rainfall totals in Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Duval and Marion counties were at or below 40 inches over the past year, according to the district. In addition, some groundwater monitoring locations in Marion and Duval counties were at or below the 15th percentile. The U.S. Drought Monitor classifies portions of the region as being in severe or extreme drought.
A Phase I water shortage is the district’s initial shortage level and focuses on voluntary conservation. All water users are encouraged to reduce water use to the maximum extent possible, and wasteful or unnecessary water use is prohibited, the district said.
The order also urges residents, businesses and utilities to prepare for extended dry conditions and the possibility of additional mandatory restrictions if conditions worsen.
The district said it is encouraging voluntary reductions across all water-use sectors, including public supply, commercial, industrial, institutional, agricultural, landscape, recreation and aesthetic uses. Property owners and managers are also encouraged to plan ahead in case conditions deteriorate.
Public water utilities are being asked to review and fully implement existing water conservation plans, consider additional demand-management measures and increase customer messaging aimed at reducing water use during the shortage.
The declaration applies to:
• Portions of Baker, Bradford and Duval counties within the district.
• Portions of Alachua County within the district, excluding unincorporated areas overseen by the Suwannee River Water Management District.
• Portions of Marion County within the district, including the city of Ocala and unincorporated areas of Marion County, excluding areas overseen by the Southwest Florida Water Management District.
The district’s Water Shortage Plan allows for added restrictions if conditions continue to worsen and authorizes the executive director to expand water shortage declarations if needed.
More information on water conservation and current conditions is available at sjrwmd.com.