Environment

Alachua County lifts burn ban as region declares extreme water shortage

Alachua County lifted its countywide burn ban on May 27 after several days of significant rainfall brought the Keetch-Byram Drought Index down from 618 to 415, with more rain expected. At the same time, the Suwannee River and St. Johns River water management districts declared an extreme water shortage for their portions of Alachua County and surrounding areas due to ongoing drought conditions and declining aquifer levels. Residents are now required to limit landscape irrigation to once a week between 6 p.m. and 8 a.m., and non-essential water uses are prohibited.

Sources: Alachua County