Water-use restrictions start next week in South Florida
By David Fleshler
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
March 15, 2007, 11:28 PM EDT
City inspectors, armed with citation books, will cruise the streets ready to pounce if they find a sprinkler operating illegally. Neighbors will be encouraged to rat each other out for watering on the wrong day. Helicopters will hover above farms and golf courses, taking satellite coordinates of pumps operating in violation of water-shortage orders.
This is the new era of water restrictions. It begins next Thursday, when rules approved by the South Florida Water Management District take effect.
With South Florida enduring its worst drought since 2001 and the risk of wildfires growing, the district's governing board on Thursday unanimously approved restrictions on lawn watering, car washing, golf course irrigation and other activities that use large amounts of water. Residents will be allowed to use sprinklers on alternate days and at specified times, with the goal of reducing consumption by 15 percent.
Almost half of all drinking water in South Florida goes toward watering lawns, according to the district, which controls water supply and drainage for 16 counties in Central and South Florida.
District officials said the restrictions may become permanent and that tougher rules may be necessary.
"Water conservation is everybody's responsibility," said Kevin McCarty, chairman of the governing board. "By taking action now, we can ensure that it's available when we need it."
Enforcement of residential rules will be up to local governments.
In Delray Beach, for example, code enforcement officers will first warn those caught violating the water restrictions, said Al Berg, assistant director of community improvement. If the person is caught again, a fine of $100 will be issued, he said. The fine will double if the person is caught yet again, he said.
"Last time this happened, I think Delray Beach set a record for issuing tickets," said Richard C. Hasko, director of environmental services. "We were real stringent about enforcing it."
In Coral Springs, the police will enforce the rules, City Manager Mike Levinson said. After a warning, violators must pay $25. For every subsequent violation, the person may have to pay up to $500 and face up to 60 days in jail.
The district issued a guide to the rules that states, "Residents are encouraged to report violators to their local code enforcement office."
For large users, such as golf courses and farms, the district's staff will conduct inspections and issue citations. The district will use two helicopters, as well as motor vehicles, to look for violators. They will receive warnings and after that will face fines of up to $10,000 a day.
More stringent rules will apply to the towns and farms around Lake Okeechobee, where the water shortage is particularly acute. Homeowners, businesses and farms will be subject to rules intended to reduce use by 30 percent, known as Phase 2 restrictions.
During its meeting Thursday, the governing board drew fire from environmentalists for approving a water-use permit that will allow a new golf course to draw 31 million gallons a month for irrigation.
The 189-acre course is being built at South County Regional Park, near the Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge. District officials defended the decision, saying a drought is temporary and the course will be subject to the same water-use restrictions as other users.
The water emergency resulted from a lack of rainfall, the region's primary source of new drinking water, district officials said. About 4 inches of rain have fallen, while 6.3 inches is normal, the National Weather Service in Miami said. Lake Okeechobee, which serves as the backup water supply for cities and farms, stands at 10.9 feet, about 4 feet below its average level.
It will take several widespread and heavy rains to bring Lake Okeechobee back to its normal levels.
"It's so big and so shallow that hot, windy days cause a lot of water to be lost to evaporation," said district spokesman Randy Smith. "So it's apparent that one good soaker is not going to create a rebound for Lake Okeechobee."
Linda Lobdell, 61, of Fort Lauderdale, laughed when she heard about the daily water restrictions. "Anybody who knows anything about yards knows three times a week is more than enough for grass," she said. The Victoria Park resident's lawn was flush with tall, green grass. She waters only three times a month.
"Most people around here water too short and too often. Soaking your lawn every other day isn't going to save it," she said. "Water restrictions are no big deal."
