Dry conditions across Central Florida are prompting water management districts to take action, with officials urging residents to conserve water ahead of what could be a dry spring.The St. Johns River Water Management District declared a water shortage Thursday for parts of several counties, including Marion County. Officials said the declaration is meant to encourage residents and local governments to begin conserving water now.“Even though we’re in a state that’s surrounded by water, we have a finite water supply,” said Clay Coarsey, Water Supply Planning Director.The district said conditions are unlikely to improve without significant rainfall from cold fronts moving through the region.“We will probably be in this kind of water shortage unless we start to get some frontal systems that come through this time of year and deposit a significant amount of rainfall,” Coarsey said.The lack of rain comes as parts of Central Florida are also dealing with wildfires fueled by cold, dry and windy weather. Officials said water conservation can help ensure adequate water pressure for firefighting efforts.“They want to make sure they’ve got plenty of pressure in their hydrants,” Coarsey said. “As we get these dry conditions, following water restrictions has the added benefit of making water available if a wildfire occurs.”Another agency, the Southwest Florida Water Management District, also issued a water shortage this week for Sumter County and parts of Lake County. Those areas are now under a Phase Two water shortage, which limits lawn watering to one day per week.Lake County resident Rosa Ferrer said the dry conditions have taken a toll on her lawn.“It’s been devastating, actually,” Ferrer said.Despite the impact, Ferrer said she understands the importance of conserving water and has made changes at home.“I’ve asked everybody in the house to limit their showers to five minutes,” she said. “Water is essential. We’re very lucky in this country that we don’t have to worry about clean water.”Water management officials said they are relying on voluntary conservation efforts to help stretch available water supplies during the unusually dry stretch.“If we can start doing these voluntary efforts, that can help stretch our water supply out,” Coarsey said.Officials said they are hopeful additional mandatory restrictions can be avoided, but will continue monitoring conditions closely in the coming days.
MARION COUNTY, Fla. —
Dry conditions across Central Florida are prompting water management districts to take action, with officials urging residents to conserve water ahead of what could be a dry spring.
The St. Johns River Water Management District declared a water shortage Thursday for parts of several counties, including Marion County. Officials said the declaration is meant to encourage residents and local governments to begin conserving water now.
“Even though we’re in a state that’s surrounded by water, we have a finite water supply,” said Clay Coarsey, Water Supply Planning Director.
The district said conditions are unlikely to improve without significant rainfall from cold fronts moving through the region.
“We will probably be in this kind of water shortage unless we start to get some frontal systems that come through this time of year and deposit a significant amount of rainfall,” Coarsey said.
The lack of rain comes as parts of Central Florida are also dealing with wildfires fueled by cold, dry and windy weather. Officials said water conservation can help ensure adequate water pressure for firefighting efforts.
“They want to make sure they’ve got plenty of pressure in their hydrants,” Coarsey said. “As we get these dry conditions, following water restrictions has the added benefit of making water available if a wildfire occurs.”
Another agency, the Southwest Florida Water Management District, also issued a water shortage this week for Sumter County and parts of Lake County. Those areas are now under a Phase Two water shortage, which limits lawn watering to one day per week.
Lake County resident Rosa Ferrer said the dry conditions have taken a toll on her lawn.
“It’s been devastating, actually,” Ferrer said.
Despite the impact, Ferrer said she understands the importance of conserving water and has made changes at home.
“I’ve asked everybody in the house to limit their showers to five minutes,” she said. “Water is essential. We’re very lucky in this country that we don’t have to worry about clean water.”
Water management officials said they are relying on voluntary conservation efforts to help stretch available water supplies during the unusually dry stretch.
“If we can start doing these voluntary efforts, that can help stretch our water supply out,” Coarsey said.
Officials said they are hopeful additional mandatory restrictions can be avoided, but will continue monitoring conditions closely in the coming days.