The mandate affects Miami-Dade, Broward, Monroe and eastern Palm Beach counties. Towns and farms around Lake Okeechobee also face more severe rationing and potential crop losses that could easily run into the tens of millions of dollars.

Water managers have already printed up citation books and said they will train city and county workers to enforce the rules. First-time violators typically receive a warning, but blatant or repeat rule-breakers can face civil penalties potentially up to $10,000 per day.

The mandatory cuts are similar to those imposed during the drought of 2001, but later dropped. This time, water managers warned, they may stick.

The district said several factors forced the cuts:

?EUR??,,????'???? 2006 proved the sixth driest year on record, with 40.75 inches across the region—nearly a foot less than normal.

?EUR??,,????'???? Lake Okeechobee, main source for nearby towns and farms and a backup for the Everglades and coastal cities, is four feet lower than average. Today, it stood at 10.798 feet.

?EUR??,,????'???? Levels are plunging in canals and the marshy Everglades conservation areas.