News, videos and more on South Florida's water woes

Year-round restrictions couldinclude limits on using recycled water

Recycled wastewater, once billed as a drought-proof irrigation alternative, could become subject to the same twice-a-week watering limits as water pumped from the ground or pulled from lakes and canals.

Boynton Beach puts water conservation tips on decks of cards

City officials here aren't playing around. But they want residents to.

Water restrictions forced the county rate hike

By Bevin A. Beaudet

New rules to allow twice-a-week watering in S. Fla.

Lawns, golf courses and some farms got a boost Thursday when South Florida water managers agreed to ease strict watering restrictions starting April 18.

Water managers vote to ease water restrictions

A deal reached this afternoon enables West Palm Beach to join the South Florida communities where watering restrictions will be eased to allow twice-a-week watering starting April 18.

Twice-a-week watering may become permanent in South Florida

Water restriction relief expected today could soon turn into year-round limits, requiring conservation beyond just times of drought.

South Florida Water Management District to recommend looser water restrictions

Three months of rain and county-wide conservation efforts have stemmed the drain on Lake Okeechobee and might translate to an ease in water restrictions.

Rainy month not enough to end watering restrictions in South Florida

Recent rains helped avert a water "crisis," but it will take a greater soaking to end a lingering water supply emergency, South Florida's top water manager said Wednesday.

Coconut Creek grants will help restaurants save water, money

The largest restaurants in the city can get free equipment to help them save water — and money.

South Florida's tougher new water restrictions will start Tuesday

Once-a-week watering limits beginning Tuesday are intended to trigger what regulators call a "change in culture" needed to protect South Florida's water supply.

Deerfield Beach to enforce new water shortage order

The South Florida Water Management District will impose a new water shortage order Tuesday that the city of Deerfield Beach will enforce.

South Florida's drought is driest two years on record

South Florida suffered the driest back-to-back years on record, water managers said Tuesday — one week before the start of tough new watering restrictions.

Water district approves $25 million for Lake O pumps

South Florida water managers on Tuesday approved spending up to $25 million for pumps and other emergency measures to deal with Lake Okeechobee's historic drop and to prepare for when the water returns.

Drought has some benefits: Marine life expands in cleaner water

Water supplies may be low as the state suffers from unprecedented drought conditions, but some say it's been good for business."It's been great out on the water," said Rick Grassett, a Sarasota fishing guide. "Sea grass is thicker and more abundant. Fish are more plentiful."

Forum to focus on fixing Lake O, preserving water supply

Lake Okeechobee sits at an all-time low, but the thirst of nearby crops and a growing population continues to pull at what decades ago became South Florida's backup reservoir.

South Florida builders may face tougher water restrictions

New building rules could follow tougher water restrictions as part of South Florida's conservation push.

Highlights of proposed water restrictions

Highlights of the proposed rules Odd-numbered addresses would be allowed to water landscaping on Mondays. Even-numbered addresses would water on Thursdays.

Everglades cleanup could dodge public records laws

Counting on capitalism and secrecy to help solve South Florida's environmental problems, water managers on Wednesday agreed to pursue using $10 million in taxpayer money to jump-start "clean technologies" — in deals exempt from public records laws.

Tougher water-use restrictions would cover South Florida north to Orlando

In a history-making response to a record water shortage, state regulators today are expected to impose once-a-week watering limits on homes and businesses from Orlando to the Keys.

Environmentalist, utilities oppose year-round water restrictions in South Florida

Year-round water restrictions could provide a lesson in conservation, but not the answer to solving South Florida's water woes, utility operators and environmentalists warned Wednesday.

Three top South Florida water officials using more water during drought

Many of South Florida's top water managers practice what they preach when it comes to water conservation, but utility records show at least three used more water this year than they did before drought restrictions.

Specific district water restrictions by geographic area

Here are the specific Phase III water restrictions by geographic area that the South Florida Water Management District set on Thursday.

13 golf courses face fines

Failing to play by new watering rules could cost 13 South Florida golf courses cited for failing to meet drought-induced irrigation limits.

Broward County seeking tougher year-round water restrictions

FORT LAUDERDALE -- Even after this year's drought ends, residents of Broward County could face permanent restrictions on how frequently they can water their lawn.

Water restrictions in South Florida

YARD-WATERING ONE DAY A WEEK:

Lake Okeechobee ties record low today as officials struggle to keep water flowing

Lake Okeechobee water levels tied their all-time low today as dry, windy conditions caused a high evaporation rate at the drought-stricken lake.

Water restrictions in South Florida

Stricter water rules are in effect.

After storm, water use still restricted, lake low

Tropical Storm Barry brought some relief to Lake Okeechobee's thirst but not enough to make a dent in South Florida's drought.

Water-use enforcers keep cool under fire

On the front line in Palm Beach County's battle to catch water abusers, code enforcement officers are becoming targets of abuse.They've been yelled at and threatened. A man west of Boca Raton recently chased an officer off his property with a baseball bat. A man caught illegally watering his lawn, in the rain, refused to sign his citation. An angry dog and an angrier woman greeted another officer who came to deliver a ticket west of Boynton Beach.

Lake Okeechobee slips to record low level on Thursday

Lake Okeechobee dipped to its all-time low on Thursday, worsening the historic strain on South Florida's water supply.

Okeechobee nears a low

Fire burning across exposed lake bed on Tuesday added dramatic emphasis to the historic drop in Lake Okeechobee water levels, expected to a hit an all-time low as soon as today.

Call him the faucet enforcer

Driving a steady 15 mph past rows of elaborately landscaped $800,000 houses, David Smalley scans each side of the street for signs of illegal activity. Like a hawk spotting a mouse at 1,000 feet, he spies a trail of water trickling onto the sidewalk. He stops his pickup, switches on the red and yellow flashers, and steps out. No sprinklers are on, but the puddles of water on this dry, sunny day are all the evidence he needs. He takes photographs, checks his laptop to get the homeowner's name, and writes a $50 citation for watering on the wrong day.

Water restrictions may be year-round

Even after this year's drought ends, all Broward County residents could face permanent restrictions on how frequently they can water their lawns.County commissioners told their lawyers Tuesday to draft a law to limit watering to three days a week between 4 a.m. and 8 a.m., when tougher restrictions are not in place. Regional water managers have temporarily barred people from watering more than once a week.

Watering limits get even tougher starting Wednesday

In a history-making move to respond to a record-setting drought, water managers on Thursday imposed once-a-week yard watering restrictions on Broward and Palm Beach counties.The new rules start Wednesday and the district has called on cities and counties to step up ticketing of those who break the rules.

West Palm issues tighter water rules

With the drought sapping drinking water supplies, city residents will now be allowed to water their yards only once a week for a shortened three-hour period from 4 until 7 a.m.

West Palm Beach approves restrictions on lawn watering

The West Palm Beach City Commission approved a limited version of Phase 3 water restrictions Monday, reducing the number of days and hours residential customers can water their lawns.

City governments make changes to cut water use

With water restrictions expected to soon get tougher on South Florida residents, cities are cutting back on how they dip into strained supplies.

Micro-managing water supplies

The command bunker usually reserved for hurricane duty takes on a different feel during a drought.

Drought plan means lawns will go thirsty

Compared with a Palm Beach mansion or sugar cane fields near Belle Glade, the amount of water the typical South Florida household uses seems like a drop in the bucket.

Drought conditions expected to intensify quickly as SFWMD

Frequently asked questions about water restrictions in South Florida

Q: Is everyone, including businesses and farmers, required to adhere to the restrictions in the Lake Okeechobee Service Area?