As of March 22, 2007, the South Florida Water Management District has imposed water restrictions on South Florida due to the 16 month drought that has caused Lake Okeechobee’s water level to drop.

According to the SFWDM, “The water level in Okeechobee, a bellwether measurement of the district’s water supply, is approximately four feet below its historical average for this time of year. In addition, lake levels throughout the Kissimmee chain of lakes are well below normal.”

This year is the third driest hydrologic season in Florida’s history. Since Florida depends on rainfall for its water supply, it is under mandatory water restrictions for the first time since the drought of 2001.

“Even though it rains every now and then, it is not enough to get the levels back in order,” Mike Webber, said.

Initially, Miami-Dade County was under Phase I of the water regulations, which limited outdoor water use to three days out of the week. However, since conditions did not improve, the SFWMD voted to advance to Phase II.

Under the new regulations, residents can only use their outdoor water supply two days out of the week.

Houses ending in even numbers are allowed to irrigate their lawns on Thursday and Sundays while odd numbered houses can water their lawns on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Designated watering times are from 4:00 AM to 8:00 AM. Hand watering is permitted on the given days but from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

The SFWMD is expecting a 30 percent reduction in water use with the new restrictions because half of the drinking water used in South Florida is used for landscape irrigation.

City inspectors and police officials are responsible for the repercussion that violators face. Most counties are issuing warnings for those breaching the restrictions, but repeat offenders will be fined.

District officials are prepared for Phase III if no progress is made. In that case, outdoor water use will be limited to one day.

However, South Floridians aren’t too worried about the repercussions.

“I’m pretty sure that the water restrictions are not their [police officers] top priority. But it seems that everyone is following the restrictions to be safe,” Claudia Jimenez, Miami-Dade county resident, said.