The Southwest Florida Water Management District has extended its Modified Phase III Extreme Water Shortage through March 31, 2027, as drought conditions and a significant rainfall deficit continue across the region.
The District’s Governing Board approved the extension on Tuesday, requiring residents and businesses throughout the affected area to continue following one-day-per-week lawn watering restrictions. The rules apply to all water sources, including private wells.
The region received below-average rainfall during both the 2025 and 2026 summer rainy seasons. From September 2025 through August 2026, the District recorded an average of 37.2 inches of rainfall, compared with a historic average of 52.6 inches. That represents a 15.4-inch deficit.
The prolonged dry conditions have prevented rivers, lakes and public water supplies from receiving their typical summer replenishment. As of Sept. 21, Tampa Bay Water’s C.W. Bill Young Regional Reservoir contained 7.87 billion gallons, about half of its storage capacity.
Unless a city or county has adopted stricter requirements, permitted watering hours remain midnight to 4 a.m. or 8 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. Properties smaller than one acre may use only one of those watering windows on their designated watering day. Properties of one acre or larger may water before 4 a.m. and after 8 p.m.
The restrictions cover all of Manatee, Sarasota, Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Polk, Citrus, DeSoto, Hardee, Hernando and Sumter counties. Portions of Charlotte, Highlands and Lake counties are also included, along with the City of Dunnellon and The Villages in Marion County and the portion of Gasparilla Island in Charlotte County.
Residents should also check local watering regulations because cities and counties may impose stricter schedules than the District.
Additional information about watering days, restrictions and exemptions is available through the Southwest Florida Water Management District at WaterMatters.org/Restrictions.
