Article Courtesy of The Apopka
Voice
By Reggie Connell
Published May 28, 2017
The St. Johns River Water Management District is encouraging HOAs and residents
to use water wisely during the current water shortage warning. On May 16, the
district sent the letter below to HOAs within its jurisdiction.
On May 9, the St. Johns River Water Management District expanded a Water
Shortage Warning for its 18-county service area due to below-average rainfall.
The order includes all of Brevard, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Indian River, Nassau,
Putnam, Seminole, St. Johns and Volusia counties, and parts of Alachua, Baker,
Bradford, Lake, Marion, Okeechobee, Orange and Osceola counties.
The objective of the Water Shortage Warning Order is to reduce water use and
increase awareness of the need for water conservation. Although conditions have
not yet reached a point where there is an expectation of insufficient water to
meet anticipated demand and protect water resources, current conditions do
warrant heightened water conservation.
For many residential water users, the greatest water savings can be realized
outdoors, where more than half of residential water is used on lawns and
landscapes.
Understanding that many Homeowner Associations and residents address irrigation
and landscaping via their Deed Restrictions and Covenants, we are asking for
your support to promote water conservation with specific attention to how water
is used outdoors.
As we prepare for the potential of prolonged drought, there are many actions
that can help ensure the most efficient use of water, thus extending our potable
water supply, until summer rains return.
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Postpone any recommendations to sod or re-sod landscapes,
as new sod requires increased irrigation for successful establishment.
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Postpone any recommendations for extensive
pressure-washing projects, which use significant amounts of water.
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Please help us ensure residents are aware of watering
restrictions. Year-round watering restrictions are in place to ensure that
water used for irrigation is used efficiently, and specifies the days and
hours to water lawns. Current irrigation restrictions are between 4 p.m. and
10 a.m. and the designated watering days depend on whether you have an odd
or even numbered address. Printable materials and information about watering
restrictions are available online at
www.sjrwmd.com/waterconservation .
Water conservation is the cornerstone of Florida’s water sustainability – the
district believes that conservation is a critical strategy in meeting the
current and future water supply needs of our state. If you would like to
schedule a water conservation presentation for your group, please contact
Jennifer Mitchell, Public Communication Coordinator, at 904-730-6283 or
[email protected] .
About the St. Johns River Water Management District
St. Johns River Water Management District staff are committed to ensuring the
sustainable use and protection of water resources for the benefit of the people
of the district and the state of Florida. The St. Johns River Water Management
District is one of five districts in Florida managing groundwater and surface
water supplies in the state. The district encompasses all or part of 18
northeast and east-central Florida counties. District headquarters are in
Palatka, and staff also are available to serve the public at service centers in
Maitland, Jacksonville, and Palm Bay. |