May 16, 2007 2:12 pm US/Eastern
Broward, Palm Beach Under Phase III Restrictions
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HOLLYWOOD (CBS4) ―
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Lake Okeechobee Is At A Near Record Low
CBS
Residents of Broward and Palm Beach counties are now under Phase III water restrictions and are only allowed to water their lawns or wash their cars once a week.
The South Florida Water Management District called for the tougher Phase III restrictions in the two counties in hopes of cutting water usage by 45-percent and preventing salt water from intruding into the fresh groundwater supplies.
"During the past two months, the District has called upon local businesses, residents and our government partners to practice aggressive water conservation to stretch our municipal water supplies, and these efforts have made a difference," said SFWMD Executive Director Carol Ann Wehle. "Unfortunately, South Florida is facing one of the worst droughts on record. Four of our coastal wellfields are at risk of saltwater intrusion, and we simply need to do more to protect our regional water resources."
Under the Phase 3 restrictions, the watering of lawns or washing of cars would be restricted to one day a week.
Odd numbered addresses would only be allowed to water their yards on Saturdays between 4 a.m. and 8 a.m. Hand watering would be allowed from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Even numbered addresses would be allowed to water between the same times on Sundays.
There would be no watering allowed during the week.
Also, utility companies in Dania Beach, Hallandale, Lantana, and Lake Worth will have to shutdown the pumps at their coastal wells which are in danger of being contaminated by saltwater.
Miami Dade County, which received a bit more rain in the last year, will remain under Phase II water restrictions.
Last week, MIami Dade County Mayor Carlos Alvarez announced that anyone caught violating the Phase II restrictions will be fined. First time offenders will receive a ticket for $75. After that, fines will go up to $500.
To read the full rules for Phase II water restrictions,
CLICK HEREThe last time Florida was faced with a multi-year drought was in 1999-2001, when Lake Okeechobee water levels dropped to a record low of 8.97 feet in May 2001. The current drought is hitting South Florida harder than 1999-2001 drought, due to the lack of rainfall the state has received. During the last drought, Central Florida had enough rain to carry South Florida through the lean times
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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