The Suwannee River Water Management District (SRWMD) issued a water shortage advisory on Tuesday after a year of below-average rainfall across North Florida that has affected springs, groundwater levels and rivers.

According to an SRWMD release, water users are asked to be mindful of their consumption and adopt conservative practices.

Through Dec. 21, 2025, 14 of SRWMD’s 15 counties reported an average rainfall deficit of nearly 11½ inches, based on records dating back to 1932. The rainfall forecasts for the upcoming three months call for continued below-normal precipitation, while all 15 counties in the district are at varying levels of drought conditions.

The declared advisory encourages all users to:

• Conserve water to the maximum extent possible.
• Reduce overall water use; be mindful of running taps, leaks, and other indoor water uses that can add up.  
• Defer water-intensive activities such as washing cars, pressure washing, landscape plantings, and other discretionary water uses until conditions improve. 
• If you choose to irrigate your landscape, schedule irrigation to no more than one day per week, ensure that the system is free of leaks, and set it for the minimum time and volume necessary for the yard. 

“All permittees are encouraged to review their operations, ensure permitted conservation measures are fully implemented, and plan for the possibility of extended drought,” the release stated. “This advisory allows permit holders time to plan if further water restrictions are necessary, such as eliminating high-pressure irrigation systems, transitioning to night irrigation, and minimizing the use of less efficient irrigation systems.”

Permittees should contact the district for potential cost-share programs to improve the long-term efficiency of these systems.  

Golf courses are encouraged to delay overseeding until conditions improve. 

“This advisory is a proactive approach to increase awareness of our current conditions and encourage enhanced conservation efforts to protect our water resources,” said Hugh Thomas, executive director of the district, in the release.  “This applies to all water users, area residents, businesses, and visitors. While we always need to be mindful of our water resources, in times of drought and low rainfall, conservation is even more important. Water conservation requires all of us to work together.”

The advisory applies to all counties within the district, and the unincorporated portions of Alachua and Levy counties. 

SRWD, in coordination with Florida’s other water management districts, will continue to monitor hydrologic conditions, keep the public informed, and, if warranted, declare additional water shortage measures.