WENGNews writes, "THE SOUTHWEST FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT HAS EXTENDED THE WATER SHORTAGE EMERGENCY ORDER FOR MORE THAN A QUARTER OF A MILLION RESIDENTS OF THE PEACE RIVER/MANASOTA REGIONAL WATER SUPPLY AUTHORITY TO PROTECT THE DRINKING WATER SUPPLY. THE ORDER WAS TO EXPIRE ON SATURDAY, BUT IT WILL NOT CONTINUE UNTIL JUNE 25TH. ALTHOUGH WE HAVE HAD SIGNIFICANT RAINS OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF MONTHS THAT HAVE ACTUALLY TAKEN OUR RAINFALL TOTALS FOR THE YEAR TO NORMAL LEVELS, THE ONGOING TWO YEAR DROUGHT STILL HAS OUR WATER SUPPLY AT A DANGEROUSLY LOW LEVEL. THE EXECUTIVE ORDER, WHICH WAS SIGNED WEDNESDAY, WILL ALLOW THE AUTHORITY TO CONTINUE TO INCREASE TEMPORARILY WITHDRAWALS FROM THE PEACE RIVER TO STORE ADDITIONAL WATER IN ITS EXISTING RESERVOIR AND TWO AQUIFER STORAGE AND RECOVERY WELLFIELDS. THE AUTHORITY’S SERVICE AREA INCLUDES THE CITY OF NORTH PORT AND PORTIONS OF CHARLOTTE AND SARASOTA COUNTIES. "
