Water shortage warning for all of SJRWMD expected next week
A lack of rain throughout the region has the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) contemplating its first districtwide water shortage warning in more than a decade.
On March 14, the district governing board issued a warning order for portions of Nassau, Flagler, Baker, Clay, Putnam, Marion and Lake counties. At next week’s meeting, there is an agenda item that would expand the warning to the entire district, which includes St. Johns County.
“It’s a request to ask folks, whether they be residents, homeowners, commercial/industrial (property owners), to take additional steps to conserve water,” said Kraig McLane, the district’s water shortage team leader. “A big part of this level is really to heighten awareness. We’re not at a point where we’re seeing critical shortages or large problems.”
The objective of a water shortage warning order, according to SJRWMD, is to reduce water use and ensure enough water is available to meet demand. A release from the district said conditions have not yet reached a point where there is an expectation of insufficient water to meet anticipated demand.
But district staff is recommending conservation efforts be put in place.