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Who: All residents, including those on private wells, within the Southwest Florida Water Management District region What: One-day-per-week outdoor watering restrictions under Modified Phase II “Severe” Water Shortage When: February 8, 2026, through July 1, 2026 Where: Polk County and surrounding counties within the District’s service area Why: Prolonged dry conditions, below-average rainfall, and declining water levels in regional water resources The Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board has declared a Modified Phase II “Severe” Water Shortage due to ongoing dry conditions throughout the region. As a result, all property owners, including those on private wells, are required to follow one-day-per-week outdoor watering restrictions from February 8, 2026, through July 1, 2026. These restrictions apply to Citrus, DeSoto, Hardee, Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota, 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 Charlotte County. The District has experienced below-average rainfall and currently has a 13-inch regional rainfall deficit. Water levels in aquifers, rivers, and lakes continue to decline, and public water supplies in the Tampa Bay area are lower than expected. Standard Watering Schedule If your address (house number) ends in: 0 or 1 – Monday 2 or 3 – Tuesday 4 or 5 – Wednesday 6 or 7 – Thursday 8 or 9* – Friday *Includes locations without a discernible address. Watering Times in Lakeland Properties under two acres: Before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m. Properties two acres or larger: Before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m. Allowed at Any Time Low-volume watering (micro-irrigation, soaker hoses, hand watering) for plants and shrubs Additional Restrictions Annual pressure washing or pressure washing for painting/sealing is allowed HOAs may not require increased water use for landscaping or aesthetics Car washing at home is allowed only on your assigned watering day Aesthetic fountains are limited to eight hours per day Enforcement and Monitoring Local utilities are required to review and implement enforcement procedures and report activity to the District. The District continues to monitor conditions and is coordinating with regional partners, including Tampa Bay Water and the Peace River Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority. Learn More For more information on the Modified Phase II Water Shortage Order, visit: WaterMatters.org/Restrictions For water conservation tips, visit: WaterMatters.org/Water101 Visit Lakelandgov.net/WaterUtilities for information specific to the City of Lakeland service area.
Who: All residents, including those on private wells, within the Southwest Florida Water Management District region What: One-day-per-week outdoor watering restrictions under Modified Phase II “Severe” Water Shortage When: February 8, 2026, through July 1, 2026 Where: Polk County and surrounding counties within the District’s service area Why: Prolonged dry conditions, below-average rainfall, and declining water levels in regional water resources
The Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board has declared a Modified Phase II “Severe” Water Shortage due to ongoing dry conditions throughout the region. As a result, all property owners, including those on private wells, are required to follow one-day-per-week outdoor watering restrictions from February 8, 2026, through July 1, 2026. These restrictions apply to Citrus, DeSoto, Hardee, Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota, 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 Charlotte County.
The District has experienced below-average rainfall and currently has a 13-inch regional rainfall deficit. Water levels in aquifers, rivers, and lakes continue to decline, and public water supplies in the Tampa Bay area are lower than expected.
Standard Watering Schedule
If your address (house number) ends in:
*Includes locations without a discernible address.
Watering Times in Lakeland
Allowed at Any Time
Additional Restrictions
Enforcement and Monitoring
Local utilities are required to review and implement enforcement procedures and report activity to the District. The District continues to monitor conditions and is coordinating with regional partners, including Tampa Bay Water and the Peace River Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority.
Learn More
For more information on the Modified Phase II Water Shortage Order, visit: WaterMatters.org/Restrictions
For water conservation tips, visit: WaterMatters.org/Water101
Visit Lakelandgov.net/WaterUtilities for information specific to the City of Lakeland service area.