Summer storms will soon end Water restrictions for golf courses, agriculture and other large users, but the rains failed to wash away year-round irrigation limits proposed for homes and businesses.
The South Florida Water Management District decided to lift watering restrictions on Sept. 19 for everything except landscape irrigation.
That means most residents and businesses will remain under twice-a-week watering limits. And next month the district plans to make drought-induced temporary restrictions a year-round requirement.
Hallandale Beach, Dania Beach and Lake Worth will remain under once-a-week limits because of continued concerns about saltwater seeping into drinking water well fields.
Lantana, one of the communities under once-a-week watering limits, will switch to twice a week starting Sept. 19.
The district contends the 23 inches of rain that fell since the beginning of the July was enough to lift restrictions for South Florida farms and golf courses. They had been required to cut back water use between 30 percent and 45 percent during the past two years of drought.
Residents the past two years have been under restrictions ranging from three-times-a-week watering to once a week.
Landscape irrigation accounts for about half the water used from the public supply.
South Florida doesn't have enough places to store storm water from the rainy summer months to use during times of need. As a result, conservation is needed to help stretch supplies, said Dean Powell, the district's deputy director of watershed management.
"We are running out of water. The population continues to grow," Powell said.
Utilities, with well fields flush with water thanks to a soggy summer, object to restricting water use during times of plenty. Water restrictions cut down on water sales and those costs often get passed along to residents through surcharges and other fees.
Andy Reid can be reached at abreid@SunSentinel.com or 561-228-5504.