Muddy Waters

The recent announcement from the Southwest Water Management District, referred to as Swiftmud, came as no surprise to many of us when they acknowledged drought conditions will continue through next spring. Water restrictions will continue through next June, limiting watering to once a week, during the hours before 8 am or after 6 pm on designated days, depending on the house number of each address.

Stricter measures may be implemented in the 16 county region if deemed necessary at the next meeting on December 18. Swiftmud is hopeful that residents will voluntarily limit lawn watering to every other week. Unnecessary watering at this time of year will harm lawns and plants as the drought continues in the coming months. I agree with this assessment. Watering my yard during these months gives weeds the perfect environment to flourish; that’s not the type of green I want to see out my windows.

We take water for granted. As long as it comes out of faucet, there’s no incentive to heed repeated warnings. With two adults and two cats in my household the typical water bill is less than $15, which is exceptionally reasonable. The sprinkler system stays off the “automatic” setting, although I might turn it on manually after the lawn has been mowed every other week. Quite often the growth warrants less intervals of grooming.

Water is a life-sustaining commodity, yet is all too often poorly managed. People would be more inclined to conserve if supply and demand were used to regulate pricing, just as oil dictates the cost of gasoline. That would be a drastic measure but responsibility is demanded under these conditions. Stricter fines should be implanted, although I question proper enforcement behind the walls of gated communities.

During the drought years from 2000 to 2004, I experienced the irrational expectations of a homeowner association when they threatened fines if lawns didn’t meet their standards of green. The cost was extreme, the reasoning irrational. I stand firm never to allow myself to be in the situation again.

At this point, Hernando County residents are less affected than areas further south in Sarasota and Charlotte counties, where a drought surcharge may me implemented. Golf courses have been told to use 45% of their average amount. I view this as an appropriate action but I question the same restriction on agricultural irrigation. Although farming accounts for 80% of water usage in the United States, I fear the affect it will have on an industry that ranks second to tourism in revenue in Florida.

Perhaps the most extreme citizen comment was suggesting the ban of all outdoor watering and restricting permits for new developments. Officially, Swiftmud said the drought is temporary and will not hinder long-term planning. For the time being, the housing slump lessens that concern.

As has happened in Hernando County, land-use hearings and permits have risen statewide in anticipation of passage of the Hometown Democracy initiative to put future growth in Florida at the mercy of voters. There’s a rush to the finish line on primary election day, January 29.

Blame it on La Nina or global warming but eventually El Nino will bring an over-abundance of rain and we can once again relish the plush vegetation of our subtropical paradise.

May our lakes and rivers beam with the flow of water. Until then, we all need to “Conserve to Preserve”.