Reduced Rainfall Gives Rise To Water Restrictions

MIAMI - (CBS4) - Blame it on the rain or, in South Florida's case, the lack of it.

 South Florida Water Management officials say the decline in rainfall caused them to issue a water shortage warning.

For homeowners and businesses, it means watering their lawns only twice a week, in most cases. Only those that re-use water for irrigation are exempt from restrictions.

"With water levels falling and the peak of the dry season yet to come, we must take every prudent precaution," said Tommy Strowd, SFWMD Deputy Executive Director of Operations and Maintenance in a statement. "Today's actions are a step toward safeguarding the regional water supply against the effects of an already record-setting dry season. We are asking South Florida's residents and businesses to do their part to help the region cope with extreme dry conditions by reducing their water use."

Rainfall for February registered at historic lows making it the third-driest February in the District's region since records began being kept in 1932.

Lake Okeechobee is at 11.92 feet above sea level — more than two feet below the historical average for this time of year — and is dropping at a rapid pace, water managers said.

If South Florida doesn't receive a significant amount of rainfall in the next couple of weeks, the lake levels are expected to continue to decline.

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