News from South Florida Water Management...it's getting dry out there

District-Wide Conditions for April 9, 2012

The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) is issuing the following briefing:

The region remains under a water shortage warning.

April and May are the height of the dry season in South Florida. Limited rainfall, an increase in temperature and higher evapotranspiration rates reduce water resources at a faster pace at this time of year.

The 16-county region remains in a below-average dry season, with March rainfall at only 56 percent of the historical average. As water levels continue to decline, there is a potential return to water shortage conditions in the coming weeks. Water conservation is essential to stretch supplies through the remainder of the dry season.

Lake Okeechobee Levels

Today

12.06 feet

Historical Average for Today

14.12 feet

This Date One Year Ago

11.58 feet

One Month Ago

12.84 feet

One Week Ago

12.32 feet

 

Water Conservation Measures

South Florida is under the District’s Year-Round Landscape Irrigation Rule that limits residential and business landscape irrigation to two or three days per week based on location

Some city and county governments have adopted local ordinances that differ from the District rule and may further limit landscape irrigation. To determine watering

days and times in your area, contact your local government or visit

www.sfwmd.gov/2days

Note: Customers of the West Palm Beach and Lake Worth utilities remain under local orders that limit landscape irrigation to one day per week.

Permitted water users such as nurseries, agriculture, golf courses and utilities are required to continue following the water use conditions in their permits.

Copies of water use permits can be found in the Application/Permit records search online at www.sfwmd.gov/ePermitting

For information about water conservation, visit www.savewaterfl.com

Information about current weather and water conditions can be found at www.sfwmd.gov/waterwatch.

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Media inquiries can be directed to:

Rochelle Gilken

South Florida Water Management District

Office: (561) 682-2800 or Cellular: (561) 670-1890