Even a direct hit from Tropical Storm Noel would probably not solve the water shortage problem affecting South Florida, area water managers said Thursday. The shortage is threatening to worsen in the coming year.
Earlier this week, South Florida Water Management District officials prepared drainage canals by dumping water to tide, and they predicted the storm water might hit hardest in areas that need it least--in Broward and Miami-Dade counties as opposed to drought-strained communities further north, including Lake Okeechobee.
Today marks the official close of the region's rainy season, and hurricane season comes to an end in November; Noel's rains could provide the last chance Lake Okeechobee, South Florida's primary backup water supply, has for a boost.
Considering the poor outlook, West Palm Beach officials reverted to a community once-a-week water limit. Even though they pumped stockpiled water to sea Tuesday to prevent flooding, local water managers said they expect to implement stricter water restrictions as early as December. The water dumping and need to save paradox, according to George Horne, the district's director of operations and maintenance, is a product of a drainage system that paved the way for development and agriculture in South Florida.
"We live in a swamp," Horne said. "Water elevations are kept artificially low so everyone can live here."
"Lake Okeechobee isn't going to recover from a couple of showers or even a tropical storm," said Peter Robbins, spokesman for West Palm Beach. "Conservation isn't about whether it's cloudy or sunny outside."
Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel
