Both the St. Johns River and Suwannee River Water Management Districts voted Tuesday to elevate their water shortage orders to Phase Three, imposing stricter limits on uses such as landscape irrigation. The Suwannee district’s territory encompasses most of North Central Florida, meaning the tighter rules will affect a broad swath of the region. Previously, source articles noted the St. Johns district had been considering escalation while the Suwannee district was holding at Phase Two.
Sources: WCJB TV20
State Sen. Corey Simon has announced the cancellation of the Water First North Florida project in its current form, asking developers to return with a more comprehensive long-term plan for protecting and restoring the Floridan Aquifer. The proposal would have transferred more than 40 million gallons of reclaimed water daily from the Jacksonville area into the aquifer system serving north central Florida. Commissioners in Columbia and Union counties expressed relief at the decision, with local officials citing unresolved concerns about the project’s route and chemical treatment processes.
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Sources: WCJB TV20
Neighbors living near a Quikrete cement plant on County Road 235 in Newberry say they endure constant noise, dust, and frequent blasts that they claim are damaging their homes and disrupting everyday routines. The complaints highlight ongoing tensions between industrial operations and the residential communities surrounding them in Alachua County.
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Sources: The Independent Florida Alligator
Alachua County has extended its mandatory countywide burn ban through May 15, 2026, citing persistent historic drought conditions and unchanged soil dryness levels that continue to pose a high wildfire risk. The county remains under a State of Emergency declaration tied to multiple active wildfires. Officials reviewed current wildland fire conditions in consultation with state authorities before approving the extension.
Sources: Alachua County
