Water Shortage Advisory Order on agenda @ SRWMD 2026-01-13

A Drought Warning is finally on the agenda for the Suwannee River Water Management District (SRWMD).

But only a Phase I Warning, which is purely voluntary and non-regulatory. A Phase II severe water shortage advisory would contain “Voluntary and Regulatory measures to reduce demand” such as are “never fun” (see below).

They meet at 9 AM, Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at their headquarters, 9225 CR 49, Live Oak, FL 32060.

Water Shortage Advisory Order, on agenda @ SRWMD 2026-01-13, Phase I: Non regulatory, Prepare for Phase II

Back in November I asked “Why hasn’t SRWMD declared a drought yet?”

In November, SRWMD had a Drought Workshop and WWALS published their presentation slides. I noted: “Thanks to SRWMD Board members Charles Keith, Larry Sessions, and William Lloyd, they did talk about possibly instituing limits on water withdrawals, considering that the past 10 years have been the hottest on record.”

Also, “SRWMD Executive Director Hugh Thomas did note that the water withdrawal permits SRWMD issues have standard conditions that can require limits on water withdrawals. But ‘it’s never fun to engage with the permittee and say, hey, you’re going to have to cut back because we’re in a water shortage period.‘“

And a month later maybe they’re finally going to at least issue a warning.

The key agenda item is “12. Water Shortage Advisory Order Number 26-001”

Also notice item “11. Hydrologic Conditions Report” If there’s a big rain before Tuesday and that Report shows easing, SRWMD might have an excuse not to issue the Order. You can see previous such Reports here:
https://www.mysuwanneeriver.com/Archive.aspx?ADID=1730

Here’s a WWALS writeup on the most recent published Report, from November 30, 2025.
https://wwals.net/?p=69034

And pay attention to agenda item “10. Water Resources Division Updates”

In their agenda for July 8, 2025, these items were on the agenda:

30. Water Resources Division Updates
31. Lower Santa Fe and Ichetucknee Water Project Update

Under that July number 31 we saw a presentation on the Water First North Florida (WFNF) plan to pipe treated wastewater from Jacksonville into wetlands in the Suwannee River Basin. Those slides were not in the SRWMD Board packet. You can see them because WWALS filed a FOIA request and got them.

There’s no telling what might be revealed under this month’s agenda item 10.

12. Water Shortage Advisory Order Number 26-001, 2026-01-13 –SRWMD Board Agenda
PDF

Here’s the actual order from page 16 of this month’s board packet:

ORDER

THEREFORE, based on the foregoing Findings of Fact, it is hereby ORDERED as follows:

A Water Shortage Advisory is declared for all ground and surface water sources within the District boundary and including those unincorporated areas of Alachua and Levy counties within the St Johns River Water Management District and the Southwest Florida Water Management District, respectively, in accordance with interagency agreements in place.
All classes of water users are encouraged to reduce their water use and to conserve water to the maximum extent possible.
All classes of water users are encouraged to plan proactively for extended severe drought conditions and additional mandatory water use restrictions should this Water Shortage Advisory Order advance to a Phase 2 Water Shortage Order. This should include having a lowpressure irrigation alternative to high-pressure irrigation systems where possible.
All landscape irrigation users are urged to reduce their irrigation to the maximum extent practical and ensure compliance with the existing one day per week irrigation restrictions as set forth in Rule 40B-2.041, F.A.C.
The District encourages the public to defer planting of shrubs, trees, or landscape, which will require watering for establishment, while the advisory is effect.
All golf course irrigation users are encouraged to use water in accordance with the provisions of subsection 40B-21(6)(b), F.A.C., and to defer overseeding while the advisory is in effect.
The District encourages the public to contact their respective county or city to determine the specific year-round water conservation measures and water shortage ordinance requirements.
This advisory shall remain in effect from January 13, 2026, until July 31, 2026, unless otherwise modified, revoked, or rescinded by the Governing Board.

ORDER, 2026-01-13 –SRWMD Board Packet
PDF

This is what the Phases mean, taken from the presentation slides from the December 9, 2025, SRWMD Drought Workshop.

Water Shortage Phases, 2025-12-09 –Amy Brown @ SRWMD
PDF

The drought that has been going on for months continues:

Map: Southeast Wide, 2026-01-06 –U.S. Drought Monitor

As you can see by this table on the same page of U.S. Drought Monitor’s Southeast Map, there is little change in drought conditions.

Table: Southeast, 2026-01-06 –U.S. Drought Monitor

There are more images below.

-jsq, John S. Quarterman, Suwannee RIVERKEEPER®

You can help with clean, swimmable, fishable, drinkable, water in the 10,000-square-mile Suwannee River Basin in Florida and Georgia by becoming a WWALS member today!
https://wwals.net/donations/