PALATKA, Fla. – The St. Johns River Water Management District has issued a Modified Phase II Severe Water Shortage for parts of Northeast and Central Florida because of limited rainfall and falling water levels.
Under Modified Phase II, all water users are encouraged to voluntarily reduce use and conserve water to the maximum extent possible.
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The declaration says wasteful and unnecessary water use is prohibited. The order asks for voluntary reductions across public supply, commercial, industrial, institutional, agricultural, landscape, recreation and aesthetic uses, and it urges property owners and managers to prepare for worsening conditions.
Additionally, water users are also encouraged to plan for extended dry conditions and the possibility of additional mandatory restrictions if the shortage advances to a more severe phase.
The declaration applies to portions of Baker, Bradford, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Nassau, Putnam, and St. Johns counties within the district. It also applies to portions of Alachua County that lie in the district.
Portions of Marion County within the district are included, covering the city of Ocala and unincorporated Marion County areas.
District staff said they reviewed rainfall totals, groundwater levels, river flows, and current drought conditions before recommending the action.
The release says recent precipitation deficits have led to continued declines in groundwater levels and reduced surface water flows.
According to the district news release, the U.S. Drought Monitor classifies the entire region as being in extreme drought.
Because Daylight Saving Time begins March 8, when landscape irrigation schedules normally shift to two days per week, the district is limiting landscape irrigation to one day per week to reduce demand and help stabilize water resources.
The district’s Water Shortage Plan allows for additional restrictions if conditions deteriorate, and the declaration delegates authority to the executive director to expand water shortage declarations if needed.
For more information on water conservation and current conditions, the district recommends going to sjrwmd.com.