PALM BEACH COUNTY, FL — The strictest water restrictions ever to be handed down in South Florida will be enforced starting May 16, limiting sprinkler watering to only one weekend day, in Broward and Palm Beach counties, a May 11 Palm Beach Post story reported.

The stricter rules are going into place as Lake Okeechobee’s level is only at 9.37 feet, 5 inches above its record lowest level; salt levels are increasing in coastal test wells, forcing the shutdown of some drinking water wells in Lake Worth and Lantana, FL.

Water managers also have been warned that stricter rules are possible if the area doesn’t get enough rain in the future.

Also under the new rules, the rinsing of streets, driveways and sidewalks is prohibited unless low-volume pressure equipment is used; golf courses have to cut their water use by 45 percent; and commercial and government buildings that need water for their cooling systems have to set their air conditioners at no lower than 78 degrees F.

On a voluntary basis, restaurants are being asked to serve water only when requested, and residents are being asked to cut indoor daily water use by 20 percent.

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