Monday, May 14, 2007

Water Restrictions - Updates

Continued Drought Conditions Force New Water Restrictions
Extreme Water Shortage Declared for Palm Beach and Broward Counties;
Severe Water Shortage Expanded to Martin & St. Lucie Counties


West Palm Beach, FL – With recent rains doing little to alleviate drought-related conditions across South Florida, the South Florida Water Management District’s (SFWMD) Governing Board today declared an extreme water shortage for eastern Broward and Palm Beach counties. The two southeast coastal counties are the first primarily residential areas to be placed in modified Phase III water use restrictions since the agency adopted a phased water shortage plan more than two decades ago. "During the past two months, the District has called upon local businesses, residents and our government partners to practice aggressive water conservation to stretch our municipal water supplies, and these efforts have made a difference," said SFWMD Executive Director Carol Ann Wehle. "Unfortunately, South Florida is facing one of the worst droughts on record. Four of our coastal wellfields are at risk of saltwater intrusion, and we simply need to do more to protect our regional water resources."

The following new restrictions will become effective at 12:01 a.m., Wednesday, May 16:
Eastern Palm Beach, Broward, and a small portion of Martin County are required to follow Phase III restrictions, limiting outdoor water use to one day a week.
• Agricultural users in the Indian Prairie Basin will transition to Phase III restrictions.
• As part of a severe water shortage declaration in the District’s Upper East Coast Service Area, Martin and St. Lucie counties will be required to follow modified Phase II restrictions, limiting outdoor water use to two days a week.
• In response to concerns over elevated chloride levels in coastal wellfields along eastern Broward and Palm Beach counties, water utilities in Lake Worth, Lantana, Hallandale and Dania Beach are required to cease or shift pumpage from certain coastal wells.