DRY SEASONDRY SEASON 2011 2011

Proactive Measures Proactive Measures Needed to Protect Water Needed to Protect Water ResourcesResources

DRY SEASONDRY SEASON 2011 2011

Proactive Measures Proactive Measures Needed to Protect Water Needed to Protect Water ResourcesResources

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Our Legislative Charge Our Legislative Charge Our Legislative Charge Our Legislative Charge

We are directed We are directed to:to:• Protect the Protect the

state’s water state’s water resourcesresources

• Encourage Encourage conservationconservation

• Plan for existing Plan for existing and future and future water usewater use

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A Constant Vigil A Constant Vigil A Constant Vigil A Constant Vigil

We routinely monitor:We routinely monitor:

• Water levels in surface Water levels in surface waterswaters

• Water levels in the Water levels in the underground aquiferunderground aquifer

• Chloride levelsChloride levels

• Amounts of actual rainfallAmounts of actual rainfall

• Predicted water needsPredicted water needs

• Water withdrawalsWater withdrawals

Month

Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec

Mon

thly

rai

nfa

ll an

d E

Tp

(inch

es)

0

2

4

6

8

10

Rainfall (dry month)Rainfall (wet month)ETp

Seasonal Rainfall VariationSeasonal Rainfall VariationSeasonal Rainfall VariationSeasonal Rainfall Variation

Roller Coaster of Weather ExtremesRoller Coaster of Weather ExtremesRoller Coaster of Weather ExtremesRoller Coaster of Weather Extremes

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LakeEcology

LakeEcology

HerbertHoover

Dike

HerbertHoover

Dike

WaterwayNavigationWaterwayNavigation

GreaterEverglades

GreaterEverglades

Estuaries –Caloosahatchee

& St. Lucie

Estuaries –Caloosahatchee

& St. Lucie

Flora/Fauna

Threatened/Endangered

Species

Regional/NationalEconomy

PublicHealth &Safety

Regional/NationalEconomy

Commercial/Recreational

Traffic

RegionalEconomy

Flora/Fauna

Threatened/EndangeredSpecies

Regional Economy

Flora/Fauna

Threatened/Endangered

Species

RegionalEconomy

WaterSupplyWaterSupply

Municipal,Industrial,

NativeAmerican,

Agricultural,Environment

RegionalEconomy

Water Management Considerations – Balance Water Management Considerations – Balance

Normal Dry Season Operations

Canal stages held high to facilitate groundwater recharge and provide supplemental irrigation

Canal stages held high to facilitate groundwater recharge and provide supplemental irrigation

Low groundwater levels occur due to low, dry season rainfall

Low groundwater levels occur due to low, dry season rainfall

Groundwater

Canals serve two primary purposes….

1. Flood Control2. Water Supply

Canals serve two primary purposes….

1. Flood Control2. Water Supply

Typical System Operations Typical System Operations

Key IndicatorsKey IndicatorsKey IndicatorsKey Indicators

• Strong La Niña –abnormally dry conditions with fewer winter storms Driest October on

record since 1932 Potential for

severe wild fire season

• Lake Okeechobee more than 2 feet below historical average

Jan – Mar 2011Jan – Mar 2011

http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/30day/

U.S. Seasonal Precipitation Outlook U.S. Seasonal Precipitation Outlook U.S. Seasonal Precipitation Outlook U.S. Seasonal Precipitation Outlook

Mar – May 2011Mar – May 2011

SFWMD Proactive Measures SFWMD Proactive Measures SFWMD Proactive Measures SFWMD Proactive Measures

• Water shortage teams on alert; increased monitoring and reporting

• Water shortage warning issued for Lake Istokpoga, Indian Prairie basin and Lake Okeechobee basin

• Call for conservation NOW

• Stepped up communication and coordination with other governments and agencies

• www.sfwmd.gov

IFIF Conditions Do Not Improve… Conditions Do Not Improve…IFIF Conditions Do Not Improve… Conditions Do Not Improve…

• Potential for SFWMD-imposed emergency water shortage restrictions If enacted, local governments responsible for

enforcement

• Restrictions designed to mitigate against: Saltwater intrusion into wellfields

Loss of crops

Lack of water needed for fire protection

Wildfires

Loss of Stormwater Treatment Area nutrient-reduction capacity

Minimum Flow & Level exceedances

Working Together to Protect the ResourceWorking Together to Protect the ResourceWorking Together to Protect the ResourceWorking Together to Protect the Resource

• Municipalities have statutory direction to assist SFWMD in enforcing water shortage restrictions Focus is residential, while SFWMD

enforces HOAs, golf courses, etc. • Note to Public Works Directors:

Medians & athletic fields Adjust irrigation systems accordingly Source of complaints from citizens -

equity

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• Year-round landscape irrigation measures

• Adopting and incorporating Florida-friendly landscaping

• Retrofitting of water-guzzling fixtures and appliances

• A call for governments to lead by example

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Implementing Water Conservation ProgramImplementing Water Conservation ProgramImplementing Water Conservation ProgramImplementing Water Conservation Program

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• SFWMD year-round landscape irrigation SFWMD year-round landscape irrigation conservation measures are now in effectconservation measures are now in effect

• Local governments may have ordinances in Local governments may have ordinances in place that differ – always check! place that differ – always check!

• Regional or local water shortages may Regional or local water shortages may prompt emergency water use restrictionsprompt emergency water use restrictions

Year-Round Irrigation MeasuresYear-Round Irrigation MeasuresYear-Round Irrigation MeasuresYear-Round Irrigation Measures

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Florida-Friendly LandscapingFlorida-Friendly Landscaping

Nine principles:Nine principles:• Right plant, right placeRight plant, right place

• Water efficientlyWater efficiently

• Fertilize appropriatelyFertilize appropriately

• MulchMulch

• Attract wildlifeAttract wildlife

• Manage yard pests Manage yard pests responsiblyresponsibly

• RecycleRecycle

• Reduce stormwater Reduce stormwater runoffrunoff

• Protect the waterfrontProtect the waterfront

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Fix that LeakFix that Leak• One drop per second from a leaky One drop per second from a leaky

faucet = 3,150 gallons per year!faucet = 3,150 gallons per year!• 10,000 homes = 31.5 million 10,000 homes = 31.5 million

gallons!!!gallons!!!

Replace old fixtures & Replace old fixtures & appliancesappliances

• Install low-flow toiletsInstall low-flow toilets• Replace old showerheadsReplace old showerheads• Add aerators to faucetsAdd aerators to faucets• Use more efficient dishwashers Use more efficient dishwashers

and washing machinesand washing machines

Retrofit Water-GuzzlersRetrofit Water-GuzzlersRetrofit Water-GuzzlersRetrofit Water-Guzzlers

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www.sfwmd.gov/www.sfwmd.gov/waterwatchwaterwatch

For More Information…For More Information…For More Information…For More Information…