Published: November 21, 2006 09:24 am      

District declares water shortage

Staff

The Suwannee River Water Management District (SRWMD) issued a Phase I Water Shortage Advisory Nov. 16 that will remain in effect district-wide until further notice.

The District covers all of Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Lafayette, Madison, Suwannee, Taylor and Union counties, and portions of Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Jefferson, Levy and Putnam counties.

No mandatory restrictions are in place, according to SRWMD, but water managers are calling on all residential, commercial, agricultural and industrial users to voluntarily reduce water consumption through conservation measures.

Lack of rainfall has created a moderate drought throughout the Suwannee River basin in Florida and Georgia, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). Most areas of the District are experiencing low or extremely low groundwater and surfacewater levels due to below-average monthly rainfall. With a cumulative 12.17-inch rainfall deficit, the year ending Oct. 31 is the eighth driest year since 1931.

New record monthly lows were observed at the Aucilla River near Lamont, the Steinhatchee River near Cross City, and for the second month in a row, the Santa Fe River near Fort White. The end-of-month reading at the Withlacoochee River near Pinetta tied the historic monthly low at that station, after setting a new low last month.

Water shortage advisories are issued by the District in accordance with Florida Statutes and the Florida Administrative Code, which give them authority to implement water shortage plans.

With the NWS predicting a return to El Niño weather patterns this winter, District officials hope winter rains will replenish the water resources to levels where the advisory no longer is needed. Until then, they offer some important water-saving tips:

• Reduce lawn/landscape irrigation.

• Don’t water between 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

• Install an automatic rain shutoff switch on irrigation system.

• Plant drought-resistant trees, plants and grasses.

• Equip hoses with automatic shutoff nozzles.

• Wash vehicles infrequently and only on porous surfaces.

• Use a broom or blower – not a hose – to clean sidewalks, driveways, parking areas.

• Fix leaky faucets and toilets, which can waste up to 100 gallons per day.

• Replace older fixtures with low-flow devices.

• Don’t let the water run while brushing teeth, shaving, or washing dishes.

• Take shorter showers; staying under 5 minutes can save 1,000 gallons per month.

• Don’t use toilet as a waste basket.

• Use appliances efficiently (run full loads in clothes washer and dishwasher).