PBC is in a Serious Drought; Here’s What You Can Do
Summary
Drought conditions in Palm Beach County continue to worsen as the dry season progresses. Your Lake Worth Drainage District (LWDD) is recommending communities begin taking proactive, voluntary water conservation measures.
Dear Property Managers and HOA Boards,
Drought conditions in Palm Beach County continue to worsen as the dry season progresses. Your Lake Worth Drainage District (LWDD) is recommending communities begin taking proactive, voluntary water conservation measures.
While there are currently no mandatory water restrictions issued for the county by the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), now is the time for you as community leaders to ask your residents to voluntarily reduce landscape irrigation, one of the largest uses of water in our region.
Following is key information you can communicate to your residents.
What Residents Should Know:
- Dry conditions are forecast to worsen and community lakes are expected to be low, especially if used for irrigation.
- Significant rainfall is the only relief, and it is uncertain when that will occur. (The wet season typically begins in mid-May.)
- LWDD is carefully managing water levels in our system to conserve limited regional water.
- There are no mandatory water use cutbacks in effect at this time. Any such restrictions would be imposed by the South Florida Water Management District. Those cutbacks would apply to the LWDD and all permitted water users.
- Irrigation connections to LWDD canals for individual residences are not permitted, and residents should remove any such connections.
Encourage Voluntary Conservation
- Remind residents to water only when necessary.
- Follow existing irrigation schedules without exceeding them.
Review HOA Irrigation Policies
- Consider temporary flexibility for brown or dormant lawns.
- Emphasize plant health over cosmetic appearance.
Plan Landscaping Investments Carefully
- Evaluate whether large-scale replanting can be phased or delayed.
- Prioritize drought-tolerant and native species.
- New plantings may face challenges if there are restrictions.
Inspect and Optimize Irrigation Systems
- Repair leaks, broken heads or overspray.
- Adjust timers for seasonal conditions.
- Ensure systems are not operating during rainfall or windy periods.
Educate Residents
- Share conservation tips through newsletters and community portals.
- Reinforce that water-saving measures protect long-term community resilience.
Why This Matters Now
Should water use restrictions become necessary, communities that have already adopted conservation-minded practices will be better positioned to adapt smoothly and minimize landscape loss.
We appreciate your leadership in helping residents understand that responsible water use today helps safeguard our shared resources tomorrow.
Thank you for your attention and cooperation.
The Lake Worth Drainage District
