The District Governing Board voted today to declare a Phase I Moderate Water Shortage for Duval County and portions of Alachua, Baker, Bradford and Marion counties.

District staff evaluated rainfall totals, groundwater levels, river flows and current drought conditions prior to recommending the declaration. Countywide rainfall totals for Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Duval and Marion counties were at or below 40 inches for the past year, and some groundwater monitoring locations in Marion and Duval counties were at or below the 15th percentile. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, portions of the region are classified as being in severe or 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 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, 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 additional restrictions if conditions continue to deteriorate. The declaration also delegates authority to the executive director to expand water shortage declarations if needed.