Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board votes to extend Modified Phase III ‘Extreme’ Water Shortage
On June 23, the Governing Board of the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) voted to extend the Modified Phase III “Extreme” Water Shortage through Oct. 1 because of ongoing drought conditions throughout the region, the District has announced.
Those limitations require all residents, “including those on private wells, to continue following one-day-per-week watering restrictions with strict watering hours,” a news release points out.
Watering hours “remain reduced to 12:01 a.m. to 4 a.m. or 8 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.,” the release says. Owners of properties less than 1 acre in size may use only one of those windows, the release stresses.
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.
“The District received below-average rainfall during its 2025 summer rainy season,” the release points out. On March 24, when the Modified Phase III was declared, the region had experienced a 13.7-inch rainfall deficit, compared to the average 12-month total, the release adds. The rainfall deficit for May was 11.4 inches, it notes.
“In addition,” the release says, “water levels in the District’s water resources, such as rivers and lakes, are continuing to decline and many are severely abnormal. Moreover, public water supplies are extremely low.”
A District chart shows that, through June 23, Sarasota County had received 11.82 inches of rain this year. The calendar year average is 20.79 inches, the chart says. Thus, the 11.82 inches make up 57% of the calendar year average.
However, for June, with seven days remaining as of the date of the latest District vote, the rainfall that had been recorded — 1.03 inches — represented only 13% of the average for the month, the chart shows. Typically, the summer months are the wettest in the region, meteorologists have pointed out.
Outdoor use accounts for more than 50% of the water consumed by households, the District news release notes. Residents “should know and follow their local watering restrictions [and] conserve water wherever possible,” it stresses.
The following is the Sarasota County schedule, as posted on the Water Restrictions webpages:
County staff warns on the county Water Restrictions webpages, “Typically, Sarasota County Public Utilities has a system for issuing warnings and then citations to customers who violate watering restrictions. However, to protect remaining water supply,” Public Utilities staff began issuing citations without warning on April 17, as directed by the District.
Moreover, the District news release points out, “No HOA [homeowners association] or other entity shall enforce deed restrictions or other community standards requiring an increase in potable or domestic well water use, including replacement of plant material to meet aesthetic standards or pressure washing.”
The District does allow the following, the news release says:
- Residents still may hand-water plants or use micro-irrigation to water flower beds, shrubs or other plant material (other than lawns) on any day. However, under the Modified Phase III restrictions, that watering is limited to before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m.
- “New lawns and plants have a 60-day establishment period. On days 1-30, new lawns and plants may be watered any day of the week.
- During days 31-60, new lawns and plants may be watered three days during the week. The user must maintain a written schedule of establishment period watering.Even-numbered addresses may water on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. Odd-numbered addresses may be watered on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Restaurants are allowed to serve water only upon request.
- “Pressure washing in preparation for painting and sealing is allowed.”
- Car washing at home (non-commercial) is allowed only on the lawn-watering day, “and you must use a hose with a shutoff nozzle.”
- The washing of fire trucks and other emergency vehicles is allowed.
- Car wash fundraisers held on behalf of nonprofit organizations are prohibited, except for one-day events that were scheduled prior to the imposition of the water shortage restrictions.
- Rinsing of boats and flushing of boat engines is allowed after each use when needed to remove saltwater or to prevent the transportation of exotic plant or animal material.
- Cleaning of agricultural vehicles is allowed as necessary.
The District also extended an emergency orders that allows the Peace River Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority to modify its diversion schedule to allow increased withdrawals from the Peace River. The Peace River Authority provides most of Sarasota County’s potable water. A Jan. 13 Public Utilities Department staff memo put the average supply at up to 15.06 million gallons per day.
For additional information about the Modified Phase III Water Shortage Order, persons may visit the District’s website WaterMatters.org/Restrictions. For water conserving tips, visit WaterMatters.org/Water101.