Phase III Water Restrictions Take Effect In South Florida

By Growing Produce Staff|May 23, 2011

Due to 1-in-10-year drought conditions, a 45% cutback in surface water use is required for agricultural, nursery, and diversion and impoundment users in the Lake Okeechobee Service Area (LOSA), according to the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD). This applies to various water use basins, including the Everglades Agricultural Area as well as along the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie rivers, located in portions of Okeechobee, Glades, Hendry, Lee, Martin, Palm Beach, and St. Lucie counties.

A 15% cutback in surface water use remains in effect for the southern portion of the Indian Prairie Water Use Basin.

Water Restrictions for LOSA and Southern Indian Prairie

In LOSA, a 45% reduction in surface water use is required for permitted agricultural, nursery and diversion and impoundment surface water users.
The southern portion of the Indian Prairie Water Use Basin remains at a 15% reduction in surface water use for permitted agricultural, nursery and diversion and impoundment water users.
Permitted users may take their weekly allocation Monday through Friday, unless otherwise directed on the District’s webpage under “Water supply plan for LOSA.”
All irrigation systems shall be operated to maximize efficient water use and minimize water loss.
Users with access to more than one water source class shall maximize the use of the unrestricted or least-restricted source class.
Agricultural and nursery operations using overhead irrigation methods may apply their weekly allocation of water as needed.
Overhead irrigation of citrus stock for moisture stress reduction shall be allowed on an as-needed basis so long as the weekly allocation is not exceeded.
Low-volume irrigation hours and livestock water use shall be voluntarily reduced.
Soil flooding for vegetable seed planting, rice planting, burning sugarcane prior to harvest and to permit sod harvesting shall be allowed on an as-needed basis so long as the weekly allocation is not exceeded.

Source: SFWMD news release