The Suwannee River Water Management District Governing Board has voted to extend its Modified Phase II Water Shortage Order through Dec. 31, citing persistent drought conditions across North Florida despite beneficial rainfall in May and June.
The order, originally implemented in April and scheduled to expire July 31, will remain in effect as drought conditions continue throughout the district. Officials reported that the region remained more than 18 inches below normal rainfall at the end of June, while groundwater levels hovered around the 12th percentile, according to a Suwannee River Water Management District (SRWMD) release sent on Wednesday.
The extended order maintains previously established water conservation measures while clarifying that pressure washing is permitted only when necessary for construction, maintenance or safety purposes. Pressure washing for aesthetic purposes remains prohibited.
Mandatory conservation measures include limiting irrigation for established lawns to one day per week:
- Saturdays for odd-numbered addresses or properties without an address.
- Sundays for even-numbered addresses.
- Tuesdays for nonresidential properties.
Irrigation is prohibited between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
New lawns and landscaping may be irrigated twice per week under the following schedule:
- Wednesdays and Saturdays for odd-numbered addresses or properties without an address.
- Thursdays and Sundays for even-numbered addresses.
- Tuesdays and Fridays for non-residential properties.
These irrigation activities are also prohibited between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
The order also includes revised restrictions for agricultural irrigation, including changes to the allowable operating hours for high-pressure overhead irrigation systems, as well as updated limits on golf course irrigation schedules.
District officials noted there are no irrigation restrictions on microspray systems, drip irrigation, hand watering or the use of reclaimed water.
A full list of restrictions can be found here.
In addition to the mandatory restrictions, the District continues to encourage voluntary water conservation by residents, businesses, agricultural producers and visitors. Water use permit holders are also encouraged to prepare for the possibility of worsening drought conditions and the implementation of additional conservation measures if conditions deteriorate.
The water shortage order applies throughout the SRWMD, including the unincorporated portions of Alachua and Levy counties.
District officials said they will continue monitoring hydrologic conditions in coordination with Florida’s other water management districts and will provide updates if additional water shortage measures become necessary.
The SRWMD, headquartered in Live Oak, serves 15 north-central Florida counties and is responsible for protecting and managing regional water resources through science-based conservation and water management practices.