Despite recent heavy rains across the region, extreme drought conditions continue, and current water restrictions across parts of west and central Florida have been extended into next year under the Southwest Florida Water Management District's (SWFWMD) Modified Phase III Extreme Water Shortage Plan.
The one-day-per-week watering and other restrictions, initially issued in February, were originally set to expire on July 1, before being extended in June to Oct. 1.
The latest extension carries the restrictions into the spring, with a new expiration date of March 31.
They apply to all of Citrus, DeSoto, Hardee, Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota and Sumter counties; portions of Charlotte, Highlands and Lake counties; the cities of Dunnellon and The Villages in Marion County; and the portion of Gasparilla Island in Charlotte County.
The district received below average rainfall during its 2025 and 2026 summer rainy seasons, SWFWMD said.
At the time the Modified Phase III was initially declared, the district had a 13.7-inch regional rainfall deficit compared to the average 12-month total, SWFWMD said.
The 12-month rainfall deficit through August of this year is 15.4 inches, the agency said.
Additionally, the district's water resources, including rivers and lakes, as well as public water supplies, haven't been replenished due to the lack of summer rainfall, the agency said. This is making public water supplies extremely low.
Tampa Bay Water's C.W. Bill Young Regional Reservoir only has 7.87 billion gallons in storage as of Sunday which is about half its storage capacity.
The water restrictions by SWFWMD affect a range of day-to-day life, from lawn watering to dining at restaurants.
Residents should also check with their city or county for local restrictions.
The one-day-per-week lawn watering restrictions that went into effect in February, continues with stricter watering hours.
Unless a city or county already has stricter hours in place, watering hours are reduced to 12:01 to 4 a.m. or 8 to 11:59 p.m. on a property's scheduled day for watering, SWFWMD said.
Properties less than 1 acre may only use one of these windows.
Here is the SWFWMD standard watering schedule based on addresses ending in:
Low-volume watering (micro-irrigation, soaker hoses, hand watering) of plants and shrubs (not lawns) is still allowed on any day but only before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m.
New lawns and plants have a 60-day establishment period. They may be watered any day of the week on days 1 through 30, and then three days per week on a regular schedule during days 31-60.
Pressure washing in preparation for painting and sealing is allowed.
Non-commercial car washing at home is only allowed on that property's lawn watering day, and a hose with a shutoff nozzle must be used.
Aesthetic fountain use is now limited to four hours a day. The regular hours of operation can be selected by the owner but must be posted.
No homeowners association or other entity can 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.
Under the updated restrictions, restaurants are limited in how much water they may serve diners. They may only serve water upon request.
The use of water for medical purposes or the protection of public health, safety and welfare is not restricted.
Fairways and driving ranges may be irrigated no more than once a week.
Tees, golf course greens and practice greens may be irrigated no more than three times per week.
Roughs shall not be irrigated.
The modified order also requires local utilities to continue implementing water conservation efforts, including customer education about the current water shortage and ways to conserve water.
Water utilities and other local enforcement officials must increase their enforcement efforts, including responding to citizen complaints and monitoring water use through patrols or customer records.
Starting 14 days after the effective date of the water shortage order, utilities and other local enforcement officials are to issue citations first without issuing a warning.
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