A water shortage warning has been issued across South Florida, including Miami-Dade and Monroe counties.
The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) and Miami-Dade officials have called for residents and businesses to voluntarily reduce non-essential water use as a result of ongoing drought conditions.
While the warning does not impose mandatory restrictions, the county warns that additional measures may need to be put in place to protect the water supply if conditions worsen.
Why is this happening?
The current shortage is due to high consumption rates and an ongoing drought partly driven by a La Niña weather pattern. In fact, Miami-Dade has received less than four inches of rain since November. This combination has contributed to critically low water levels in the Biscayne Aquifer, the primary drinking source for 2.8 million residents.
What is being recommended to help?
Small changes in our daily habits now can prevent the need for stricter restrictions. SFWMD and the county urge the following to help:
- Skip watering your lawn entirely until the warning is lifted, as watering lawns is the single most water-intensive activity for homeowners. If your grass is dying, spot-water only the affected areas.
- Avoid washing cars and boats, filling pools or pressure washing driveways.
- Run dishwashers and washing machines only when you have a full load.
- Try to use water outside of peak hours (early morning and evening) to reduce strain on treatment plants.
- Perform a water audit of all interior and exterior fixtures.
If you’d like to know more about the water shortage warning, click here. Collier, Glades, Highlands and Lee counties are also under the current warning.