Thursday, October 2, 2008

Watering Restrictions Extended Through February

Press Release

October 1, 2008

Watering Restrictions Extended Through February
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
September 30, 2008
Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board extends water restrictions through February

Summer rains not enough for water resources to fully recover

The Southwest Florida Water Management District's Governing Board voted today to extend the current Water Shortage Order, which restricts lawn watering throughout the District to one-day-per-week, through Feb. 27, 2009.

The Governing Board chose to extend the term of the water shortage order because the region is still impacted by the two-year drought and portions of the District did not receive enough rain during the annual wet season.

Following two years of drought, the area was beginning to see normal rainfall patterns return, as well as the recovery of water resources. But while the rest of the state received significant rainfall from Tropical Storm Fay, the storm skirted our region and subsequent tropical systems brought drier air, rather than rainfall. As a result, the District is still experiencing a 24-month rainfall deficit.

“Despite the better rainfall this past year, we have not seen recovery to pre-drought conditions,” said Granville Kinsman, hydrologic data manager.

Meanwhile, rainfall in September, the last month of our four-month rainy season, has been below-normal and surface water and ground water systems started their seasonal declines earlier than expected.

As of Sept. 22, groundwater levels for the northern, central and southern regions of the District have already peaked and are beginning to decline. The northern region includes Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Levy, Marion and Sumter counties; the central region includes Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas, and Polk counties; and the southern region includes Charlotte, DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, Manatee, and Sarasota counties.

Stream flows also have peaked and are beginning to decline on all major rivers within the District. In fact, the stream flows for the Alafia River and Hillsborough River are considered severely abnormal.

Due to low streamflows, the public supply systems served by Tampa Bay Water and the Peace River/Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority remain at-risk due to low storage. Both regional suppliers continue to rely on emergency authorizations to help meet current water demand.

Lake levels throughout the District remain severely impacted by the drought. The lakes within the northern region are about 6.3 feet below where they would normally be expected to be at the end of September. Lakes in the central region, which includes the Tampa Bay area, are about 3.1 feet lower than expected. Lakes in the southern region, which includes the Polk Uplands region and the Lake Wales Ridge region, are 3.6 to 6.7 feet lower than expected.

“In addition to hydrologic conditions, staff also considers climate indicators when recommending the board extend water restrictions,” said Kinsman. “The Climate Prediction Center anticipates drier-than-normal conditions through the fall and spring.”

The water shortage order, which has been in effect since Jan. 16, 2007, was slated to expire Sept. 30.

The order includes restrictions that apply to the use of water from public and private water utilities as well as the use of all wells and surface water sources (ponds, rivers, etc.).

The following schedule is a summary of the restrictions unless your city or county has a different once-per-week schedule:

Addresses with "house numbers" … May only irrigate on…
Ending in 0 or 1 Monday
Ending in 2 or 3 Tuesday
Ending in 4 or 5 Wednesday
Ending in 6 or 7 Thursday
Ending in 8 or 9 Friday


For more information about water restrictions, the drought and how you can conserve water, visit the District's web site at www.WaterMatters.org/drought.
Questions concerning water restrictions can be answered during normal business hours by calling 1-800-848-0499 or 1-800-423-1476, extension 4498.

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