Residents asked to conserve water by following their local watering restrictions and checking their irrigation systems and timers
On Nov. 18, the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) Governing Board voted to declare a Phase I Water Shortage because of the dry conditions throughout the region, the organization announced.
The declaration prohibits “wasteful and unnecessary” water use, such as allowing water to flow from an unattended hose, a news release pointed out.
The restrictions apply from Dec. 1 through July 1, 2026 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 Lee County, a SWFWMD news noted.
SWFWMD’s territory “received lower than normal rainfall” during the traditionally rainy summer season, the release said. That area has a “13-inch regional rainfall deficit,” compared to the average 12-month total, the release added, with emphasis. “In addition,” the release continued, “water levels in the District’s water resources, such as aquifers, rivers and lakes, are declining.” However, the release said, “Public water supplies remain in relatively good shape.”
On Oct. 11, the Sarasota County Fire Department announced that it had implemented a burn ban countywide because of “local drought conditions and an increased chance of fire hazards.”
The county was under a burn ban from Dec. 28, 2024 through March 3 of this year. Then another ban was implemented on March 26; it was lifted on June 9.
The Phase I Water Shortage Order does not change allowable watering schedules, the release explained. “Twice-per-week lawn watering schedules remain in effect except where stricter measures have been imposed by local governments,” it added. Sarasota County is among the local governments maintaining once-per-week watering by local ordinance, the release noted. The others are the Cities of Venice, Dunedin and Tampa, as well as Citrus, Hernando and Pasco counties. Residents should check with their city or county for allowable days and times, as many have different schedules or stricter hours in effect, the release pointed out.
Residents are able to make reports to their local governments about neighbors whom they see watering lawns in violation of local ordinances. However, a state law necessitates that the individual making such a report provide his or her full name and address.
Outdoor water use accounts for more than 50% of the water consumed by households, the SWFWMD release said. Residents “should know and follow their local watering restrictions,” it added. “Residents are asked to check their irrigation systems to ensure they are working properly. This means testing and repairing broken pipes and leaks and fixing damaged or tilted sprinkler heads.”
Further, the release continued, residents should check their irrigation timers to ensure the settings are correct and the rain sensor is working properly.
A frequently asked questions document on the SWFWMD website includes the following information:
- “Q: How can I conserve water?
“A: There are many ways to conserve water both indoors and outdoors. Conserving water can also help save money on your utility bills. The District’s Water 101 for Homeowners website has simple irrigation and water saving tips for indoors and outdoors.
- “Q: What is the District doing to ensure that we have water for both now and in the future?
“A: The District is required by state law to develop a Regional Water Supply Plan every five years that assesses the projected population and water demands as well as the potential sources of water and funding to meet those demands over a 20-year period. The District’s Regional Water Supply Plan provides a framework for future water management decisions and demonstrates how water demands can be met through a combination of alternative water sources, traditional groundwater, and water conservation measures.
- “Q: What’s being done to ensure we have enough water with all this population growth?
“A: Despite significant population growth over the last 40 years, the District has been able to reduce both groundwater withdrawals and total water use due to water conservation efforts, and the development of alternative water supplies and reclaimed water projects. … Looking to the future, the District has prioritized more than $600 million in cooperative funding for alternative water supply projects in Tampa Bay, Polk County and our southern region counties [including Sarasota County] to meet the projected needs of the growing population over the next 20 years.”
The Nov. 18 order “also requires local utilities to review and implement procedures for enforcing year-round water conservation measures and water shortage restrictions, including reporting enforcement activity to the District,” the release pointed out.
For additional information about the Phase I Water Shortage Order, visit the District’s website WaterMatters.org/Restrictions.
For water conserving tips, visit WaterMatters.org/Water101.