Southwest Florida
Water Restrictions

All 16 counties in the Southwest Florida Water Management District are experiencing a "severely abnormal" drought, according to the Southwest Florida Water Management District. The district's 16 counties are currently in a Phase II water shortage. That restricts residents to lawn watering one day per week. It will remain in effect until Sept. 30 or unless conditions improve.

The restrictions apply to the use of water from public and private water utilities as well as the use of all wells and surface water sources (ponds, rivers, etc.). For properties under two acres in size, no water is allowed between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. on any day. For properties two acres or larger, no watering is allowed between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on any day.

For more:

Click here to see SWFMD’s declaration of water shortage emergency relating to use of the Peace River.

For complete details, go to www.WaterMatters.org or call (800) 848-0499 or (800) 423-1476, ext. 4498 for any questions.


This phase covers all 16 counties in the SFWMD. That includes Levy, Marion, Citrus, Sumter, Hernando, Lake, Pasco, Hillisborough, Pinellas, Polk, Manatee, Hardee, Sarasota, DeSoto, Charlotte and Highlands counties.

In Charlotte County: Lawn and landscape irrigation is once per week for all Charlotte County residents. This is the same as the schedule recommended by the Southwest Florida Water Management District for Phase II water shortage conditions.

Once-per-week watering restrictions have been in effect in Charlotte County since 2001, however, the previous schedule placed the highest demand on CCU’s water distribution system on Sunday and Tuesday, according to CCU officials. The revised schedule, which started Feb. 1, spreads the highest demand over five days -- Monday through Friday.

The new schedule is as follows:

If your address (house number) ends in:

  • 0 or 1 -- Water only on Monday
  • 2 or 3 -- Water only on Tuesday
  • 4 or 5 -- Water only on Wednesday
  • 6 or 7 -- Water only on Thursday
  • 8 or 9 (and locations without a discernible address) -- Water only on Friday

    Watering is allowed only before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m. on the designated day for properties smaller than two acres. Larger properties may water before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m. on the designated day.

    The watering schedule is currently the same for residents of the city of Punta Gorda.

    CCU staff will begin enforcement of watering restrictions for CCU customers only. Customers watering on the wrong day or time may be subject to unauthorized water use charges, up to $500 for repeat offenses, which will appear on the monthly utilities bill. The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office will continue to enforce watering restrictions for all Charlotte County residents.

    To allow customers time to adjust to the revised schedule, CCU will not apply unauthorized use charges in February. Customers watering on the wrong day or time will receive educational materials, including a copy of the revised watering schedule. Beginning March 1, CCU customers in violation of the schedule will receive a written warning and may be subject to unauthorized water usage charges after the second documented occurrence.

    In Sarasota County: Residents are under the following additional water restrictions, which are effective in all areas of the unincorporated county, and are in force full-time, not just during a declared water shortage:

  • Thursday is the designated irrigation day for properties with addresses that end in odd numbers.
  • Common areas with no address, such as median or roadside plantings, clubhouse or recreation areas may be irrigated only on Tuesday.
  • Tuesday is the irrigation day for properties with addresses that end in even numbers.
  • No irrigation is allowed between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.
  • Property less than two acres can water before 8 a.m. and after 6 p.m.
  • Property more than two acres can water before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m.
  • Documented newly planted grass or plants can be irrigated during establishment for 60 days without restriction.
  • Low-volume micro-irrigation such as drip, microspray or leaky pipe is exempt from these restrictions.
  • Violators of water restriction rules can be subject to fines.

    For information, contact the Sarasota County Call Center at 941-861-5000 and ask for Utilities customer service.

    Additional regulations in Sarasota

  • Hand-watering or micro-irrigation of non-lawn landscape, such as flower beds, gardens or individual plants, is allowed.
  • Fountains and other aesthetic-only water features may only operate eight hours per day.
  • Car washing is limited to once per week; fundraiser events are still allowed.
  • Reduce off-site discharge and mobile equipment washing.

    In DeSoto County: Prolonged drought conditions prompted the Southwest Florida Water Management District to declare a severe water shortage for all the counties in its region, including DeSoto, and implemented phase-two water restrictions.

    The district sets water restrictions for DeSoto. Enforcement of the district's restrictions is the responsibility of the counties and municipalities with jurisdiction in each area.

    Contrary to popularly held local belief, those restrictions apply to more than just utility customers. The same restrictions apply to everyone, including residents who use water from private wells -- there are no exceptions. The only things that are not restricted are reclaimed water use and hand watering -- for the time being.

    Once-a-week water restrictions are in effect for county residents, depending on the then last number of each resident's address.

  • Addresses ending in 0 or 1 water only on Monday.
  • Addresses ending in 2 or 3 water only on Tuesday.
  • Addresses ending in 4 or 5 water only on Wednesday.
  • Addresses ending in 6 or 7 water only on Thursday.
  • Addresses ending in 8 or 9 water only on Friday.
  • Any locations without a discernible address water on Friday.

    Properties less than 2 acres in size can only water before 8 a.m. and after 6 p.m. Properties 2 acres or larger can only water before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m.

    Currently, DeSoto County is not enforcing water restrictions. But violations can still be reported to the district at 800-848-0499.

    For residents within Arcadia city limits, watering is limited to before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m. on Wednesdays. That is the only time city properties can be irrigated.

    Any violations of the city's code can be reported the Arcadia Police Department at 863-993-4660.