South Florida Water Agency Considers Mandatory Conservation

Voluntary measures may be followed by order with restrictions if drought persists

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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The South Florida Water Management District, the government agency that oversees water resources in 16 counties, met on Thursday in West Palm Beach to discuss potential mandatory water conservation measures if voluntary efforts fail to address ongoing drought conditions in the region.

Why it matters

South Florida has experienced prolonged drought in recent years, straining the region's water supplies. The water management district is tasked with balancing the needs of residential, agricultural, and commercial users, making decisions about conservation orders an important issue for the community.

The details

At the meeting, water management officials stated that if voluntary water conservation efforts by residents and businesses prove insufficient, they will consider implementing a mandatory order with specific restrictions on water usage. Details of potential restrictions were not provided, but could include limits on lawn watering, car washing, and other non-essential uses.

  • The South Florida Water Management District met on Thursday, February 12, 2026 in West Palm Beach.

The players

South Florida Water Management District

The government agency responsible for managing water resources in 16 counties in South Florida.

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What’s next

The water management district will continue to monitor water supply levels and conservation efforts in the coming weeks and months. If voluntary measures prove insufficient, they will likely move to implement mandatory restrictions on water usage.

The takeaway

As drought conditions persist in South Florida, local officials are prepared to take stronger action to conserve the region's limited water resources, potentially implementing mandatory conservation orders if voluntary efforts fall short.