Florida’s summer season normally sets into a pattern of hot, humid days with a strong chance of afternoon thunderstorms. However, that has not been the case for the last few years. We have been experiencing close to drought conditions. That is, up until this year.

So far this summer, we have been getting rain several times a week. The plants and grass are looking good, the bird bath is staying full and the showers cool off the air. Unfortunately, the weeds are growing like there is no tomorrow.  I swear you can almost watch them grow.

It might seem strange to be happy about getting rain every day.

One of the big problems in Florida is supplying enough water to its residents. Even though we have water on three sides of the state, we need clean fresh water to drink. The summer rainy season is important to replenish the aquifers, lakes and rivers that supply our water.

During the wild building spree, before the recession, not much thought was given to water supplies. Builders would pay an impact fee to the county and build as many houses as they could fit in a space. Sure, there were agencies overseeing the development; they seemed to overlook just how much water was going to be needed.

When Florida was in the midst of a drought last year, some districts were facing the possibility of running out of water for their residents. The underground aquifers had shrunk to dangerously low levels and some rivers were on the verge of drying up. Water supplies were shared and conservation efforts mandated in order to get through the prolonged dry spell.

Some parts of the state have kept conservation regulations in place, to try and reduce water usage. For instance, our county permits the watering of lawns and plants only one day per week. Fines are imposed for any violators.  It should help.

Most of the year it is very dry in Florida, we all know we need water to survive, you can understand why we like to see the summer rains.

FOG sez:

It’s raining, it’s pouring, the old man is snoring…

…they’re playing my song.