South Florida must cut water use by up to 30 percent under new rules approved Thursday in response to unprecedented drought conditions. The board of the South Florida Water Management District approved restrictions that call for a 30 percent reduction in water use throughout South Florida, including such tourist destination counties as Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade, according to AP. Residents around Lake Okeechobee will have to cut back 30 percent, while farmers in that area must cut use by 45 percent. Officials said South Florida would need at least six weeks of steady rain with several inches a day to return to normal water levels. The region has never seen such widespread drought, district director Carol Wehle said. Last month, the state instituted water restrictions for much of South Florida that were intended to cut use by at least 15 percent. But district officials said more cutbacks were needed. The drought is creating prime wildfire conditions. Roughly 1,300 wildfires burned more than 75,000 acres (30,000 hectares) around the state from January through March, according to the Florida Division of Forestry. -- SPA
