District extends Phase I Moderate Water Shortage to additional North Florida counties

The District has extended its existing Phase I Moderate Water Shortage to include additional areas, including Nassau, Clay, St. Johns, Flagler and Putnam counties, due to continued limited rainfall and declining water levels.

The water shortage was previously declared for:

• 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, the City of Ocala and unincorporated areas of Marion County, excluding areas overseen by the Southwest Florida Water Management District

District staff evaluated rainfall totals, groundwater levels, river flows and current drought conditions before recommending the expansion. Countywide rainfall totals in these areas were at or below 40 inches for the past year, with the exception of St. Johns and Flagler counties, which have received approximately 45 inches. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, the entire region is classified as being in extreme drought.

Under a Phase I Water Shortage, all water users are encouraged to voluntarily reduce water use and conserve water to the maximum extent possible. Wasteful and unnecessary water use is prohibited. Water users are also encouraged to proactively plan for extended dry conditions, and the potential for additional mandatory restrictions should the water shortage advance to a more severe phase.

The order encourages voluntary reductions across all water use sectors, including public supply, commercial, industrial, institutional, agricultural, landscape, recreation and aesthetic uses. Property owners and managers are encouraged to prepare for possible worsening conditions.

Public water utilities are asked to review and fully implement existing water conservation plans, evaluate additional demand management measures and enhance customer messaging to help reduce water use during the shortage.

The District’s Water Shortage Plan allows for additional restrictions if conditions continue to deteriorate. The declaration also delegates authority to the executive director to expand water shortage declarations if needed.

For more information on water conservation and current conditions, visit sjrwmd.com.

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