Drought conditions persist in Central Florida, despite recent summer rains.

Not enough rain has fallen to compensate for the existing “deficit” in the underground aquifer system that provides most of the state’s drinking water, according to the St. Johns River Water Management District. An “extreme” water shortage declared by the district in May remains effective, requiring all water consumers — residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural — to take steps to conserve the critical natural resource.

Diving into the data

In Marion County specifically, total annual rainfall is nearly two feet short of where it should be by this time of year.

“When you're that short on rainfall, it takes more than just a few afternoon thunderstorms … to be able to start to refill the aquifer,” said Clay Coarsey, the district’s director of water supply planning and assessment.

For July, total rainfall across the district fell about 1.5 inches short of the monthly average. District-wide, total annual rainfall is sitting more than nine inches below average levels, based on precipitation data from August 2025 through last month.

In Central Florida’s coastal areas, rainfall totals are looking a bit better. Within the district’s 18-county coverage area, only Brevard and Volusia saw monthly rain totals improve in July.

But more precipitation is necessary inland, Coarsey said, where sandy soils allow rain to seep more easily through the ground and into the aquifer system lying thousands of feet below the Earth. “We need that rainfall inland, because that's really the area where we're getting our aquifer recharge.”

Warm seasonal temperatures are also fueling drought conditions. “We have a lot of plants that are growing, a lot of turf that's growing. And a lot of that rainfall is ending up as either evaporation or transpiration that the plants are using,” Coarsey said.

Transpiration is the process of plants taking up water from the soil, then releasing water vapor into the air through their leaves. Separately, about 90% of moisture in the atmosphere comes from water evaporating from ocean, lakes and rivers, according to the United States Geological Survey.

As climate change drives up global temperatures, more water is evaporating into the atmosphere, according to climate scientists — leaving soils and surface water bodies more dry.

How can any one person help?

By conserving water, all Central Floridians can play an important role in helping ease drought conditions, Coarsey said.

Residents of areas covered by the ongoing extreme water shortage should only be watering their lawns one day a week, between 6 p.m. and 8 a.m. More details on the district’s watering restrictions are available here.

Another key step is to make sure your irrigation system’s required rain sensor is working. “With the rain that's been coming through, you'll be wasting money and our water resources if you're irrigating shortly after we have a rain event,” Coarsey said.

Sometimes, public irrigation systems using reclaimed water — treated, recycled stormwater and wastewater — will still run during or shortly after it rains. That’s because the utilities using that reclaimed water only have so much storage capacity for it.

“We're trying to be as efficient as we can with all water,” Coarsey said. “But sometimes, just due to operational constraints, we're not as quite as efficient with reclaimed (water) as we'd like to be.”

RELATED: Drinking recycled water? In Central Florida, the day will come

Where, exactly, is an extreme water shortage in effect?

In Central Florida, all of Flagler, Lake, Marion, Polk and Sumter counties are in an extreme water shortage, as declared by St. Johns and the Southwest Water Management District. Other parts of the region covered by St. Johns may be required to follow other, locally-set water conservation rules.

Beyond the Central Florida region, areas in an extreme water shortage also include:

• In the St. Johns district: Clay, Duval, Nassau, Putnam and St. Johns counties, plus parts of Alachua County.
• In the Southwest Florida district: All of Citrus, DeSoto, Hardee, Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas and Sarasota counties; portions of Charlotte and Highlands counties; and Gasparilla Island in Charlotte County.

The St. Johns River Water Management District is expanding mapping and monitoring efforts at some of the region’s most iconic springs, collecting detailed scientific information to help protect these treasured waters, unique habitats and popular destinations where millions of people swim, paddle, snorkel and experience Florida’s natural beauty each year.

The Governing Board approved a contract with Trutta Environmental Solutions LLC to map and monitor springs and their spring runs at eight springs across the District, including Alexander, Blue, Juniper, Rock, Salt, Silver, Silver Glen and Wekiwa springs.

Using a specialized survey boat equipped with above-and-below water cameras, high-resolution global positioning system (GPS), sonar and water quality monitoring instrumentation, scientists will collect detailed information about spring and spring run conditions. The system records underwater channel bottom depths and substrate hardness, water quality, aquatic vegetation and other environmental characteristics, establishing a valuable baseline for future monitoring and helping scientists better evaluate long-term trends, habitat conditions and water quality. These insights will help guide future management decisions to protect these iconic Florida springs for wildlife and people who depend on them.

“Florida’s springs are among our state’s most treasured natural resources,” said St. Johns River Water Management District Executive Director Mike Register. “By collecting consistent, high-quality scientific data, we can better understand these systems, identify changes as they occur and make informed decisions to help protect them for future generations.”

There are 148 springs across the District’s 18-county region. The District has partnered with local governments and utilities to fund 180 springs projects, investing over $71 million to help protect these important natural resources. Collectively, these projects conserve approximately 60 million gallons of water per day (mgd), reduce nitrogen by more than 434,652 pounds per year and reduce phosphorus by more than 152,654 pounds per year.

To find additional information about the springs of the District, please visit www.sjrwmd.com/waterways/springs.

Across the District’s 18 counties, water connects neighborhoods, businesses and natural systems. Conserving this important resource is a priority.

When the St. Johns River Water Management District (District) launched its Water Conservation Rebate Program in October 2024, the goal was simple: make it easier for communities to conserve water and protect local resources; together.

By offering financial support for practical, proven conservation upgrades, the program empowers local governments, small utilities, homeowner associations (HOA), property owner associations and multi-family properties, to take meaningful action without shouldering the full cost alone.

The District provides rebates covering up to 50% of eligible project costs, including labor and installation, with applicants eligible to receive up to $10,000 per year. The program is supported by $50,000 per year in total funding, and projects are approved on a first-come, first-served basis, reinforcing the shared commitment to act now to maximize available funding.

In addition to outdoor irrigation, the program also includes indoor fixture retrofits for private and public multi-family properties, as well as single-family homes through locally administered programs. From upgrading older toilets, sinks and showerheads to high-efficiency models, to HOAs improving neighborhood irrigation systems, cities increasing efficiency at public housing properties and builders committing to high-efficiency standards in new construction, each project helps save water, reduce utility costs and contribute to a stronger, more water-wise community.

“The strength of this program is partnership,” said Kraig McLane, one of the District’s water conservation coordinators. “When we work alongside our local governments, utilities and community associations, we’re able to make conservation improvements that benefit residents directly. These upgrades not only reduce water use, but they also help lower costs and protect our water resources for the long term.”

The rebate program supports a wide range of projects designed to make conservation achievable and impactful:

• Florida Water Star^SM certification for new residential construction
• S. Environmental Protection Agency WaterSense®-labeled smart irrigation controllers
• Irrigation conversions to high-efficiency rotary nozzles or micro-irrigation
• Irrigation evaluations and timer modifications
• Landscape soil amendments for new residential construction
• Indoor plumbing fixture retrofits
• H2OSAV subscription services

The application process is straightforward. After reviewing the Water Conservation Cost-Share Rebate Handbook, applicants complete a qualification step, enter into a cost-share agreement once approved and submit documentation for reimbursement after project completion. Clear steps and defined fiscal year timelines help ensure transparency and accountability for public funds.

By investing alongside its partners, the District is helping turn everyday conservation efforts into lasting impact — lowering costs, improving efficiency and protecting vital water resources across the region.

For questions or to discuss future rebate ideas, interested partners may attend an information session Tuesday, Aug. 18 at 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Pre-register by Aug. 17 here:
2026-2027 Water Conservation Rebate Program Information Session

For those unable to attend, contact Kraig McLane at kmclane@sjrwmd.com or Gretchen Smith at gcsmith@sjrwmd.com.

The St. Johns River Water Management District is conducting a 200-acre prescribed fire today at the District’s Lake Apopka North Shore in Lake County, situated in the Middle St. Johns River Basin. Its purpose is to reduce hazardous fuel loads and maintain fire dependent natural communities.

The prescribed fire is planned for the western portion of the property, to the east of Ranch Road.

Prescribed fire is the use of carefully planned fire purposefully set under stringent conditions to manage the fire’s effects. Before conducting a burn, the District ensures that wind and other weather conditions are correct for managing the fire and minimizing the impacts of smoke to residents and traffic.

Periodic prescribed fires on District lands enhance the land’s environmental quality and protect its neighbors from destructive wildfires, but not without the possibility of temporary nuisances, such as smoke and ash.

Prescribed fires help prevent wildfires by burning off fuels that naturally build up over time, while also helping to manage the growth of woody shrubs.

In fire-dependent ecosystems, fire is nearly as important as rainfall and sunshine. The benefits of prescribed fire include restoring and maintaining natural communities, reducing chances of destructive wildfires, perpetuating fire-adapted plants and animals, cycling nutrients, managing tree diseases and opening scenic vistas.

Follow the District on social media to know when prescribed burns are taking place in your area. To learn more about the District’s prescribed burn program, visit the District online at www.sjrwmd.com/lands/management/prescribedfire or follow the conversation at #LoveYourLands #RxBurn #goodfire #sjrwmd.

B-roll footage of previous prescribed burns is available in the District’s Media Library.

Grab a cup and scoop up water from Lake Michigan or one of the rivers that feed it. Then hold the water sample up and you’ll see tiny bits of floating particles, including bits of clay, algae and other organic matter that make the water appear cloudy.

These microscopic particles may hold important clues to understanding how a large family of human-made chemicals – called PFAS, or “forever chemicals” – move through one of the region’s most valuable natural resources, said Yin Wang, associate professor, civil & environmental engineering.

The research team of Wang; Shangping Xu, associate professor, geosciences; and Patrick Gorski, a scientist with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources; will look at the question in a new study funded with a $259,500 grant from Wisconsin Sea Grant.

Scientists have spent years studying per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, which persist in the environment and are linked to adverse human health effects. They know the compounds can cling to soil, Wang said, but what isn’t known is whether PFAS chemicals also hitchhike on the countless suspended particles in lakes and rivers.

Attached vs. dissolved

“If PFAS are attached to these particles, they may behave very differently than if they are simply dissolved in the water,” Wang said. Understanding those differences could help researchers identify how PFAS enter the lake and where they are most likely to accumulate.

With water samples collected from the lake and several of its largest tributaries, Wang and Xu will separate the suspended particles and the water and measure the amount of PFAS in each. The results should reveal how much of the contamination is traveling with particles and how much remains dissolved.

The team believes that many PFAS compounds do attach to suspended particles, but not all in the same way, Xu said. The researchers also hypothesize that the chemical structure of different PFAS compounds influences if or how tightly they stick to floating solids.

What rivers can reveal

Comparing samples from Lake Michigan with those taken in tributaries may offer additional insights. Rivers often carry more suspended particles than the open lake, where the much larger volume of water dilutes them. Wind, waves and weather can influence where the particles go, and fish and other aquatic organisms may encounter particle-bound PFAS differently than the dissolved chemicals.

Looking at both data sets, “may allow us to determine how tributary-derived PFAS are redistributed and modified within the lake,” said Xu, whose research focuses on emerging contaminants in the environment, and the development of novel removal technologies.

Today’s environmental models often overlook the distinctions because the necessary data doesn’t exist, Wang added. He hopes this research will fill the gap, providing new information that could improve cleanup strategies.

Wang and Xu previously worked together on a Sea Grant project that investigated how PFAS compounds accumulate and move in groundwater. The pair also hold a patent on a next-generation filtration material specifically designed to target low concentrations of PFAS.

Rainfall across the St. Johns River Water Management District (District) remained below average in July, with drought conditions continuing across portions of western and northern counties. Although southern areas experienced modest improvements in groundwater levels, the majority of the Upper Floridan aquifer remained below the normal range. Continued below-average rainfall and low groundwater levels highlight the importance of water conservation as the District continues to monitor drought conditions.

July is typically part of Florida’s summer wet season, when rainfall generally exceeds the more than 5 inches of water lost through evapotranspiration each month, helping replenish groundwater levels. This year, however, rainfall patterns varied from historical trends, with less rainfall in many northern counties and more rainfall in eastern-central and southern portions of the District.

A full report outlining July’s hydrologic conditions was presented at the District’s Governing Board meeting. Highlights include:

Rainfall

• Districtwide rainfall averaged 5.34 inches, 1.50 inches below the monthly average.
• Monthly rainfall averages ranged from 6.99 inches in Seminole County to 3.50 inches in Baker County.
• Annual rainfall across the District was 51.01 inches, 9.03 inches below the 12-month average.
• Rainfall totals over the past year remained uneven across the District. Volusia and Brevard counties were the only counties above normal for the previous 12 months. Sixteen of the District’s 18 counties remained below average, with Baker County recording a deficit of more than 20 inches.

Groundwater 

• Most monitoring stations across the Upper Floridan aquifer were below the normal range at the end of July, and areas of very low levels expanded in northern counties.
• Districtwide groundwater levels, expressed as a single index, were in the 15th percentile for July, which is in the low range.

Spring flows

• Silver Springs recorded a monthly mean flow of 351 cubic feet per second (cfs), or 227 million gallons per day (mgd), a decrease of 33 cfs from June, which is at the bottom of the very low range for this time of year.
• In Volusia County, the Blue Spring station reported flows within the normal range.
• Rock Springs had a monthly mean flow of 57 cfs (37 mgd), which is in the normal range.
• Wekiwa Springs recorded a monthly mean flow of 60 cfs (39 mgd), continuing to be in the normal range.

For further insights into rainfall totals and other hydrologic data, visit www.sjrwmd.com.  

For more information about the Phase III Extreme Water Shortage, visit www.sjrwmd.com/wateringrestrictions.

Visit WaterLessFlorida.com for tips to help landscapes thrive while saving water and money. Follow the water conservation conversation at #sjrwmd #waterconservation #savewater.

Students across the St. Johns River Water Management District (District) will have new opportunities to explore Florida’s waterways, conduct scientific research and connect with the environment through the Blue School Grant program. The District is offering up to $60,000 in funding for the 2026-2027 school year to support hands-on learning in K-12 public and charter schools throughout the District, helping teachers bring water-focused science lessons beyond the textbook.

Individual awards of up to $3,000 per teacher or school are available to fund water-focused STEAM curriculum or projects such as water quality testing, aquaponics, conservation gardens and watershed studies. The program helps students connect classroom learning to real world environmental concepts, while inspiring them to explore and protect Florida’s water resources.

“Teachers have incredible ideas for bringing science to life, and Blue School Grants help turn those ideas into meaningful learning experiences,” said Ali Pressel, education and outreach coordinator for the District. “The best science lessons happen when students can ask questions, explore and make discoveries for themselves. This funding helps make those experiences possible.”

Applications for the 2026-2027 Blue School Grant cycle open Aug. 1 and close at 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 15. Teachers and schools interested in bringing hands-on water science to their students are encouraged to apply. For a full list of application requirements, instructions and key dates, visit www.sjrwmd.com/education/blue-school.

Since 2016, the Blue School Grant program has funded 141 projects at more than 135 schools, supporting more than 22,000 students. These authentic learning experiences give students the opportunity to apply science skills while increasing their knowledge of how their actions impact natural systems.

High-resolution photos and B-roll footage of students participating in Blue School Grant projects are available through the District’s media library.

While recent rainfall has brought welcome relief to portions of northeast and central Florida, the St. Johns River Water Management District (District) is reminding residents, businesses and large water users that drought recovery will take time.

Although many areas have received frequent rainfall in recent weeks, the District remains nearly 3 feet below its normal rainfall totals. It will take sustained, above-average rainfall over an extended period to replenish groundwater supplies, restore river flows and recover from months of accumulated rainfall deficits.

Recent rainfall has helped improve conditions in some areas, but summer conditions also influence how much water reaches the aquifer. In July, an average of 5.17 inches of water is lost through the natural processes of evaporation and plant use. With 6.84 inches of rainfall during the month, only a small amount of that rainfall remains available to help recharge groundwater supplies. Above-average rainfall over an extended period is needed for water resources to fully recover.

The District’s Phase III Extreme Water Shortage declaration remains in effect throughout the affected areas. The declaration was issued in response to prolonged drought conditions, declining groundwater levels and reduced surface water flows.

Mandatory restrictions remain in place, including:

• Residential and commercial properties are limited to one day per week of landscape irrigation.
• Landscape irrigation is prohibited between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily.
• Commercial and industrial users must suspend certain non-essential water uses.
• Golf course fairway irrigation is limited to one day per week.
• Aesthetic water use, such as decorative fountains, is prohibited.
• Street and pressure washing activities face additional restrictions.
• Irrigation restrictions for new plantings, including sod, have been tightened.

Outdoor irrigation continues to represent one of the greatest demands on potable water supplies. Residents are encouraged to verify that irrigation timers are set correctly to ensure that irrigation occurs only on their designated watering day and only during allowable hours. Irrigation systems should also be checked for leaks, and sprinklers should only water landscaped areas, not streets, sidewalks or driveways.

District staff continue to monitor rainfall totals, groundwater levels, river flows and other drought indicators to evaluate recovery and determine when water shortage restrictions can be modified or lifted.

To view the complete water shortage order, including detailed requirements for each water use category and water conservation tips, visit sjrwmd.com/wateringrestrictions.

Residents may occasionally see irrigation systems operating in public spaces such as parks, medians and common areas during the water shortage. In many cases, these systems use reclaimed water, which is a highly treated recycled water source that helps reduce demand on potable groundwater supplies. While conservation remains important across all water sources, some reclaimed water systems must continue operating to maintain system function or manage storage capacity.

To learn more about reclaimed water and its beneficial uses, visit https://floridadep.gov/water/domestic-wastewater/content/floridas-reuse-program.

The St. Johns River Water Management District has opened the public comment period for the draft 2026 Middle St. Johns River Basin Plan.

The draft plan updates priorities and projects to improve water quality, support ongoing restoration efforts and guide water resource management across the basin. Public input is an important part of the planning process and will help ensure the final plan reflects community needs, local knowledge and regional priorities. The District held a public meeting on July 16 to provide an overview of the draft plan and answer questions from attendees.

The draft plan and an online public comment form are available on the District’s website at sjrwmd.com/documents/plans/#basin.

Public comments will be accepted through Aug. 13, and feedback received during this period will help inform revisions before the plan is finalized.

Residents, community partners and interested parties are encouraged to review the draft and share their input.

For more information about the District’s efforts in the Middle St. Johns River Basin, visit www.sjrwmd.com/waterways/st-johns-river/middle.

B-roll and high-resolution images of the Middle St. Johns River Basin are available in the District’s media library.

A majority of Florida waterways are failing water quality standards, even as the state’s pollution enforcement remains near historic lows, according to a new report.

The report was published by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, or PEER, and Waterkeepers Florida, a coalition that is part of the international Waterkeeper Alliance. It is based on 37 years of environmental enforcement data, plus data from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s latest statewide, comprehensive water quality analysis.

Data takeaways

Of more than 4,200 water bodies assessed by FDEP, just over 52% are not meeting water quality standards, according to the state’s comprehensive analysis released earlier this year. For another 15% of assessed water bodies, there isn’t enough data to determine whether or not standards are being met.

In Central Florida, some water bodies failing to meet water quality standards include Lake Jesup (impaired by nutrients), portions of Lake Apopka (impaired by nutrients, plus pesticides found in fish tissue) and parts of the Econlockhatchee River (impaired by e-coli and nutrients), according to FDEP.

Statewide, most water body impairments are driven by high concentrations of nutrients and fecal bacteria, as well as low levels of dissolved oxygen, according to FDEP.

PEER’s analysis of state enforcement data reveals that “a steady decline” in enforcement actions began once former Governor Rick Scott took office in 2011.

The report states that “the Scott administration favored development interests at the expense of environmental protections.”

Between 1988 and 1995, FDEP took action to enforce protective environmental laws in an average 1,048 cases per year. That number plummeted to 431 cases a year, on average, between 2011 and 2018, Scott’s last full year in office.

When Governor Ron DeSantis took over in 2019, he was more publicly supportive of protective environmental programs than Scott had been, according to the PEER report. In DeSantis’ first year in office, the number of environmental enforcement actions temporarily rose, from 371 actions taken in 2018 to 742 in 2020.

After 2020, though, FDEP enforcement actions declined again. They’ve since ticked back up slightly, rising from 579 actions taken in 2023 to 755 in 2025.

Still, “enforcement actions initiated under Governor DeSantis are still less than half of what they were in 2010,” according to the report.

Florida’s pollution protections ‘don’t go far enough’

Lisa Rinaman is the riverkeeper, or chief advocate, at St. Johns Riverkeeper, one of 15 member groups making up Waterkeepers Florida. Rinaman said the findings in the report co-published with PEER are a “significant concern.”

“It's alarming for a state like Florida, where everything depends on clean water, from an economic perspective,” Rinaman said. “Our tourism, our growth; just our quality of life, agriculture.”

Although state rules and protections enacted to reduce nutrient pollution in water bodies like the St. Johns River have worked “to some degree,” Rinaman said, they don’t go far enough — especially because enforcement is lacking.

“This [report] just demonstrates that, those protections that have been in place, they're too lax. They don't go far enough,” Rinaman said. “And then, if you're not enforcing it to ensure that what the model is telling you is what's happening in reality …. then it's really not as good as the paper it's written on.”

Looking forward

The report by PEER and Waterkeepers Florida finds “a growing number of Florida’s water bodies, including estuaries and lakes, fail to meet water quality standards.” However, “the quality of coastal waters and streams has improved somewhat.”

Another piece of good news, Rinaman said, is a provision in Florida’s farm bill, approved by lawmakers earlier this year, that will outlaw the land application of Class B biosolids by 2028. Those Class B biosolids are made up of sewage sludge that’s been treated to reduce (not eliminate) pathogens and toxic chemicals.

However, DeSantis vetoed another bill that would have created protective regulations for Class AA biosolids, which is sewage sludge that’s been treated to a higher level than Class B biosolids.

“That's just going to continue to add to our nutrient pollution problems that we're seeing throughout the state of Florida,” Rinaman said.

After this story published, FDEP shared a statement which reads in part: "The Department disagrees with PEER's 2025 Florida Enforcement Report as it leaves out important context, overly focuses on historical metrics and ignores the significant strides Florida has made in restoring and protecting Florida's waterways."