BROOKSVILLE – Highlands County is officially in the grips of a severe water shortage, and water restrictions are on the way.
Faced with critically low levels of rainfall, the executive director of the Southwest Florida Water Management District signed an order Tuesday tightening watering restrictions.

After Jan. 16, Highlands County will join the other 60 percent of the district’s 16 counties that allow lawn watering only once a week. The order also shortens watering times by two hours to 6 p.m. until 8 a.m.

The decision was made after an hour long public hearing at the district’s headquarters south of Brooksville. “I’m strongly of the opinion that action is needed to be taken,” said David Moore, executive director. The “appropriate action is in this order.”
The restrictions will remain in force until July 31, unless the governing board extends or cancels it before then.

The district’s governing board gave its executive director authority to implement the new rules last month in a meeting. Moore came to his decision after some dismal projections were made for the upcoming year.

The district’s entire area, from Charlotte County to Levy County, was roughly 11 inches short of its typical annual rainfall in 2006.

Highlands County is one of 11 counties whose rainfall deficits are labeled critically abnormal, and it shows in its water sources.

Some local lakes show the effects of this dry season, with Lake Jackson showing sand where normally water is found.
There has been some improvement since October 2006, but the El Nino weather pattern that provided that reprieve will unravel soon.

Judy Williams, a self-styled “water activist”, was one of a handful of the public that spoke up during the hearing. She commended Moore for taking the initiative to conserve water. “I want to thank you for doing the right thing,” Williams said. “This is necessary.”

Though the times have changed, the same watering rules apply.

Even if you choose to skip sprinklers, hand-watering your lawn is forbidden, although plants, shrubs and gardens are allowed. Car washing is permissible only if the hose has a nozzle.

The exception is for new plant material, such as sod, which can be watered anytime for a 60 day period.

Penalties for violations grow with each infraction, ranging from $25 to a possible six months in prison and a $500 fine for the fifth violation.