By Pam Nicholls, GSAC Board Member
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Among the freeze warnings, red flag warnings and cold weather advisories, Collier County was also on the US Drought Monitor’s radar in February. Earlier this month Collier was one of several counties in Southwest Florida to be issued with water shortage warnings.
“We are in the second driest dry season since the 1990s,” according to South Florida Water Management District Chief Engineer John Mitnik in a statement made to the USA Today Network.
In its latest report, issued February 19, The U.S. Drought Monitor recorded only 2.25 inches of rainfall in Collier since November 1, 2025. That is less than half the amount (42%) of what we would normally expect and places sections of the county in severe to extreme drought. The whole of Monroe county, our neighbor to the south, is experiencing extreme drought.
See the map here
It is unlikely that March will bring much relief to the situation. The Climate Prediction Center’s March monthly precipitation outlook is forecast to be 33 to 40 per cent below normal.
As a result of this, authorities are encouraging residents to conserve water and limit irrigation.
Condo Associations should ensure irrigation timers and settings are correct and systems are inspected regularly for leaks and damaged sprinkler heads. All landscape irrigation should comply with the City’s allowed days and times. Properties on reclaimed water should never irrigate between the hours of 10:00 am and 4:00pm.
We can also help conserve water by reducing the amount of time we spend showering, minimizing loads of laundry, and only running dishwashers when full.
Read more Simple Steps to Save Water.
If the voluntary conservation efforts are not enough, the SFWMD may invoke mandatory water use restrictions.
