South Florida Water Management District Notice of Water Shortage Warning beginning Saturday, March 19, 2011

To read the Official News Release, click here.

On March 10, 2011, the Governing Board of the South Florida Water Management District issued a Water Shortage Warning (Order No. 2011-031-DAO-WS) for all water use classes within the boundaries of the South Florida Water Management District except as described further within the Order Section of Order No. 2011-031-DAO-WS.

The Governing Board found it necessary to declare this District-wide Water Shortage Warning in order to conserve regional water supplies. The Warning became effective on March 19, 2011, in accordance with Rule 40E-21.291, F.A.C. (Florida Administrative Code). The declaration of a Water Shortage Warning is prudent at this time in order to provide notice to users of the high potential for future water shortage cutbacks and to stimulate voluntary water conservation preparations and actions pursuant to Rule 40E-21.231(3), F.A.C., and encourage the increased use of alternative water sources where available.

The District will carefully monitor water usage to assess the effectiveness of the voluntary water conservation measures taken by the water use community. Should the voluntary water conservation efforts prove insufficient in conserving regional storage, the District will invoke mandatory water use cutbacks in order to equitably distribute the remaining water supplies and prevent serious harm to the water resources.

Order No. 2011-031-DAO-WS is available at the District through its website, www.sfwmd.gov, the District Headquarters at 3301 Gun Club Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33406, 561-686-880, and at the following District Service Center Office: Florida Keys Service Center, 102050 Overseas Highway, Suite 225, Key Largo, FL 33037, 305-453-1275.

More information is available at www.sfwmd.gov/2days.

For Year-Round FAQs and additional information on the water shortage, irrigation restrictions, or water conservations, call the SFWMD's toll-free Water Conservation Hotline at 800-662-8876 or contact a regional service center. Helpful water conservation tips are also available at www.savewaterfl.com.

For a "Just the Facts" fact sheet, click here. (pdf)

For a "Xeriscape" fact sheet, click here. (pdf)

For a fact sheet on how to "Conserve Water in a Vegetable Garden," click here. (pdf)

Make your own rain barrel by clicking here for instructions. (pdf)

Click here to view a "Water Conservation Slide Show" by Kim Gabel. (pdf)

Click here to read "Water Conservation: A Comprehensive Program for South Florida 9/2008" (pdf)

Click here to view a "Reduce Your Water Use - No Excuse!" slide show by SFWMD. (pdf)

Click here to read about "Indoor and Outdoor Water Conservation Tips" (pdf)