The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s governing board voted on Sept. 22 to extend Modified Phase III Extreme Water Shortage restrictions through March 31, 2027. This is the second extension of the order, and the rules themselves haven’t changed: one day per week for lawn watering, strict hours, and no exemptions for residents on private wells. The restrictions cover Sarasota and Manatee counties along with nine other full counties, plus portions of Charlotte, Highlands, Lake and Marion.
The reason comes down to rain that never showed up. Two consecutive below-average summer rainy seasons have left the region with a 12-month rainfall deficit of 15.4 inches through August 2026. That’s pushed rivers and lakes to low levels and left Tampa Bay Water’s C.W. Bill Young Regional Reservoir at roughly half capacity, about 7.87 billion gallons as of Sept. 20. The reservoir is a key piece of the region’s water supply puzzle, and it typically needs those summer rains to refill.
For now, the district says it would take sustained, above-average rainfall to consider lifting the order, so the one-day schedule stays in place through the winter and into next spring. That means snowbirds arriving for the season should double-check their irrigation timers, and year-round residents may want to look into Florida-friendly landscaping that thrives on less water. If you’re ever unsure which day applies to your address, your local utility or the district’s website can confirm it. How has the one-day schedule changed the way you take care of your yard?
