South Florida Water Management District Declares Water Shortage for Lee and Collier Counties
FORT MYERS, Fla. – On November 21, 2023, the South Florida Water Management District issued a Declaration of Water Shortage Warning for Lee and Collier Counties. The District issued the Warning due to continuing drier than normal conditions and concerns about declining water levels. Rainfall in Lee and Collier Counties was 13 inches below normal this year and, rather than recovering during the rainy season this summer, groundwater levels have continued to decline. Significant rainfall and conservation efforts are required to protect groundwater levels from continued decline during the dry season (November to May).
The Declaration applies to all water sourced from groundwater, which includes most of the water used for public supply, and all water use classes (drinking water, irrigation for landscaping and farming, firefighting, sanitation, and power production). The Warning encourages everyone to conserve water and limit irrigation, particularly by complying with the restrictions in your local government’s landscape irrigation ordinance and using water wisely.
If dry conditions continue and the voluntary conservation efforts recommended by the Water Shortage Warning fail to maintain groundwater levels in Lee and Collier Counties, SFWMD may need to declare a Water Shortage, making conservation measures mandatory and enforceable through actions by the District and local governments to further protect groundwater supplies.
Click Links Below to Read More:
Simple Ways to Save Water: https://www.sfwmd.gov/sites/default/files/documents/flyer_water_conservation_2022.pdf
Additional Information on Conservation: https://www.sfwmd.gov/community-residents/water-conservation
A note to the reader: This article is intended to provide general information and is not intended to be a substitute for competent legal advice. Competent legal counsel should be consulted if you have questions regarding compliance with the law.
Katherine R. English is a partner and an experienced agricultural and environmental attorney with Pavese Law Firm, 1833 Hendry Street, Fort Myers, FL 33901; Telephone: (239) 334-2195; Fax: (239) 332-2243. To view past articles, please click “Publications” on our firm website.
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