Utilities

Water Management District announces more stringent water restrictions for Sarasota and other counties

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Watering hours reduced for property owners

This image from the Sarasota County Water Atlas shows the amounts of rainfall recorded in the county over the 31-day period through March 25. Image courtesy Sarasota County

On March 24, the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) Governing Board voted to declare a Modified Phase III “Extreme” Water Shortage” because of ongoing drought conditions throughout the region, the District has announced.

The new directive — which will be in effect from April 3 through July 1 — “requires all residents, including those on private wells, to follow one-day-per-week watering restrictions,” with fewer watering hours, a news release points out.

The restrictions apply to all of Sarasota, Citrus, DeSoto, Hardee, Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk and Sumter counties; portions of Charlotte, Highlands and Lake counties; the City of Dunnellon and The Villages in Marion County; and the portion of Gasparilla Island in Charlotte County, the release says.

Because the District received below average rainfall during the 2025 summer rainy season, it “has a 13.7-inch regional rainfall deficit,” compared to the average 12-month total, the release emphasizes. “In addition, water levels in the District’s water resources, such as aquifers, rivers and lakes, are continuing to decline and many are severely abnormal. Moreover, public water supplies are extremely low for this time of year,” the release notes.

Outdoor water use accounts for more than 50% of water consumed by households, the release continues. Sarasota County residents should follow the county government’s watering restrictions and “conserve water wherever possible,” the release points out.

The following is the county schedule, as posted on the Water Restrictions webpages:

Image courtesy Sarasota County Government

The Sarasota County webpages also stress the following:

  • The maximum amount of water applied is limited to three-quarters of an inch in each irrigation zone, on each allowable watering day.
  • Because of recent restrictions set by the Southwest Florida Water Management District, properties that comprise less than 2 acres are prohibited from irrigating between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. on any allowable day. For properties that are 2 acres in size or larger, irrigation is prohibited between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on any allowable day.
  • Fountains and waterfalls may operate only eight hours per day.
  • No special watering allowances will be granted for verticutting or over-seeding.

Other restrictions listed in the District’s Modified Phase III Water Shortage Order are as follows:

  • Pressure washing in preparation for painting and sealing is allowed.
  • No homeowners association (HOA) “or other entity shall enforce deed restrictions or other community standards requiring an increase in water use, including replacement of plant material to meet aesthetic standards or pressure washing.”
  • Car washing at home (non-commercial) is allowed on your lawn only on your watering day, and you must use a hose with a shut-off nozzle.
  • Aesthetic fountains are limited to operating four hours a day. The regular hours of operation can be selected by the owner but must be posted.
  • Restaurants are required to serve water only upon request.

“The District continues to monitor the drought conditions,” the news release adds, noting “[W]e are coordinating with our utility and regional water supply partners such as Tampa Bay Water and the Peace River Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority.”

The Peace River Authority is the primary source of drinking water for Sarasota County residents.

This March 25 map shows the drought status of all of Florida counties, based on the Keetch-Byram Drought Index. Image from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Information from the website of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

Moreover, the release says, “The District issued three emergency orders on Thursday, March 19, to ensure water supply availability during the ongoing drought:

  • An emergency order was issued to the Peace River Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority to modify its diversion schedule to allow increased withdrawals from the Peace River. The order expires May 31.
  • An emergency order was issued to Tampa Bay Water to lower the Middle Pool of the Tampa Bypass Canal from 12 feet to 10 feet to continue augmenting the City of Tampa’s Hillsborough River Reservoir. The order expires July 1.
  • An emergency order was issued to the City of Punta Gorda to temporarily withdraw up to an additional 2.2 million gallons per day from Shell Creek to provide to the Peace River Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority. The order expires July 1.

For additional information about the Modified Phase III Water Shortage Order, visit the District’s website WaterMatters.org/Restrictions. For water conserving tips, visit WaterMatters.org/Water101.