We have seen some improvements in water resources as a result of relatively normal rainfall in 2008; however, the District’s water resources continue to be impacted by two years of drought. Since our wet season (June through September) is now officially over, we must continue our conservation efforts to help our water resources recover and sustain us through the traditionally drier season ahead.
...a period of abnormally dry weather sufficiently prolonged from the lack of rainfall to cause a hydrologic imbalance.
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0 or 1, water on Monday
2 or 3, water on Tuesday
4 or 5, water on Wednesday
6 or 7, water on Thursday
8 or 9, water on Friday
(Follow these unless your city or county has stricter rules.)
The following governments and utilities are partnering with the District to promote water conservation by placing these water conservation signs in their communities. Please take the time to visit their web sites listed below for more information about their organizations and programs.
Use these tips to train your yard to need less water.
Stop the leaks, slow the flow and use water wisely!
Reduce your outdoor water consumption by taking a few simple steps.
Practice Florida-friendly landscaping principles.
Districtwide restrictions on water use.
Comparison of rainfall for the last 12 months, and river flow over the last year and last 10 years, to normal levels for the region.
Learn more about the drought and the District’s actions from a water management expert with a presentation to your group or organization.
If you live within our 16-county area then you can order any of our printed materials for free.
Know your water useComplete this survey to estimate how much water is used in your home in one day.
Our hydrologic conditions reporting provides information about rainfall and river flow.
Extended water restrictions limit lawn watering to once per week.
Stay current with our news releases.
Water Conservation Hotel And Motel Program (CHAMP) is designed to help hotels and motels save water for Florida’s future in ways that save money.
Water Program for Restaurant Outreach (Water PRO) provides free opportunities for restaurants to conserve water and save money.
Learn how one homeowners association drastically reduced its water use by improving irrigation efficiency and implementing Florida-friendly landscaping principles.
Teachers can order any of our free classroom conservation materials. Contact us for additional information and resources.
A drought is a period of abnormally dry weather sufficiently prolonged from the lack of rainfall to cause a serious hydrologic imbalance.
The District uses various drought indicators, including rainfall, ground and surface water conditions and other data from multiple sources. The National Integrated Drought Information System serves as a government portal integrating sites such as the U.S. Drought Monitor, the NOAA Climate Prediction Center and the National Drought Mitigation Center, with background resources on current drought information and general drought forecasting, planning, education and research.
Analysis of drought indicators includes characterizing conditions as either “normal” or one of four degrees of abnormality. The four degrees are moderate, severe, extreme and critical, based on a comparison to historical data.
The District’s Water Shortage Plan (Chapter 40D-21, Florida Administrative Code) addresses policy for water shortage events to protect public health, safety or welfare and essential uses, or the health of livestock and other animals, fish or aquatic life in an affected area. Data collection and analysis is undertaken continuously in anticipation of a water shortage, and is considered in determining whether a water shortage should be declared. Drought indicators, composite drought conditions and other factors are considered in determining what water shortage phase should be declared. Four phases of water shortage severity with associated restrictions and response mechanisms may be implemented before enacting emergency provisions.
Phase I (moderate) water shortage – At least one regional or local drought indicator has a moderately abnormal value.
Phase II (severe) water shortage – Multiple regional drought indicators have moderately abnormal values, or a local drought indicator for a specific public supply has a severely abnormal value, such that conditions warrant prudent actions to further assure that only reasonable water uses are occurring in the affected area.
Phase III (extreme) water shortage – Multiple regional drought indicators have severely abnormal values, or a local drought indicator for a specific public supply has an extremely abnormal value, such that conditions warrant temporary minimization of nonessential water use and/or preparation for supply augmentation.
Phase IV (critical) water shortage – Multiple regional drought indicators have extremely abnormal values, or the local drought indicator for a specific public supply has a critically abnormal value, such that conditions warrant the temporary suspension of nonessential use and/or initiation of supply augmentation.