Managers Warn of Water Shortage in Miami-Dade, Keys Amid Record-Low Biscayne Aquifer

The South Florida Water Management District issued a Water Shortage Warning that covers Collier, Glades, Highlands, Lee, Miami‑Dade and Monroe counties, citing ongoing drought and increased water use that have driven groundwater and surface levels lower. The advisory, published Feb. 6, noted record-low groundwater levels in the Biscayne Aquifer and warned that further declines could heighten saltwater intrusion risks and reduce canal and lake levels in basins such as the Indian Prairie Basin.

Miami‑Dade officials said the Biscayne Aquifer is the county’s primary water source and provides drinking water to millions of residents across Miami‑Dade. The county’s Water and Sewer Department continues to deliver essential services to 2.8 million people each day without interruptions, but is closely monitoring well-field and treatment-plant operations as managers track aquifer readings and system-wide demand.

Rainfall has been sparse across much of the region. In Lee and Collier counties officials reported just 2.21 inches of rain since the beginning of November, producing a rainfall deficit of 3.94 inches. Without significant rain, the district warned, groundwater and surface water levels are likely to decline further through the remainder of the dry season, which typically lasts until May.

At present the warning does not impose mandatory restrictions. Both SFWMD and Miami‑Dade are encouraging voluntary conservation and asking residents, visitors and businesses to limit non-essential water use and irrigation to help stabilize aquifer levels. Miami‑Dade’s Water and Sewer Department framed the ask bluntly: "Water is life, and conservation today helps safeguard our water resources for the future."

SFWMD official Tom Colios offered a direct caution about escalation if dry conditions persist. "The warning is not a is a voluntary ask that people pay attention and conserve water," he said. Colios added that if rainfall remains scarce over the next few months the district may impose mandatory curbs: "If conditions worsen and we still have a lack of rainfall for the next few months, we might issue mandatory water shortage restrictions that would reduce the number of days and hours that you can use water for outside purposes, perhaps even down to zero days if it gets extremely bad."

Residents should expect continued monitoring and public updates from both SFWMD and local utilities. Officials point to formal declarations posted under SFWMD 2026-012, SFWMD 2026-013 and SFWMD 2026-014 for the administrative record and say the public will be notified if the district moves from a warning to mandatory restrictions. County managers also urge customers to register for the county’s online account and alert services to receive the latest notices directly.

For now the immediate impact is advisory and precautionary; the more consequential questions for Miami‑Dade and the Keys are how quickly rainfall returns and whether conservation now can avert more severe, mandatory limits later this spring.