Manatee County to Follow Modified Phase III "Extreme" Water Shortage Restrictions

Published

Jan 28, 2026

UPDATED AS OF March 24, 2026
One-Day-Per-Week Outdoor Watering in Effect Beginning February 8, 2026

Modified Phase III "Extreme" Water Shortage Restrictions

Effective Date and Areas

The District’s Modified Phase III "Extreme" Water Shortage restrictions are in effect April 3, 2026, and expire July 1, 2026.
The District received below average rainfall during its summer rainy season and currently has a 13.7-inch regional rainfall deficit compared to the average 12-month total. In addition, water levels in the District’s water resources, such as aquifers, rivers and lakes, are continuing to decline and many are severely abnormal. Moreover, public water supplies are extremely low for this time of year.
The District addresses dry conditions through water shortage actions, which are temporary measures that restrict water use among the various types of permit holders during extended dry conditions.
The restrictions 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 City of Dunnellon and The Villages in Marion County; and the portion of Gasparilla Island in Charlotte County.

Lawn Watering Days and Times

Lawn and landscape watering remains limited to a once-per-week schedule.
Below is the standard watering days schedule based on addresses ending in:
- 0 or 1 shall only water on Monday
- 2 or 3, on Tuesday
- 4 or 5, on Wednesday
- 6 or 7, on Thursday
- 8 or 9, on Friday along with locations with a mix of addresses or for which an address cannot be determined (such as common areas associated with a subdivision)
Watering hours are reduced to 12:01 a.m. to 4 a.m. or 8 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. Properties less than one acre in size may only use one of these windows.
Unless your city or county already has stricter hours in effect, properties one acre or larger may only water before 4 a.m. and after 8 p.m.
The restrictions apply to residents on private wells however, reclaimed water (straight reclaim - not mixed with ANY other source to include ponds or wells) is only subject to voluntary watering hours, but highly encouraged to follow the same restrictions.

Hand-watering and Micro-irrigation

Residents may still hand-water plants or use micro-irrigation on to water flower beds, shrubs, or other plant material (other than lawns) on any day, however under the Modified Phase III restrictions it is limited to the hours of before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m.

New Lawns and Plants

New lawns and plants have a 60-day establishment period. On days 1-30, new lawns and plants may be watered any day of the week.
During days 31-60, new lawns and plants may be watered three days during the week. The user must maintain a written schedule of establishment period watering. Even-numbered addresses may water on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. Odd-numbered addresses may be watered on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

Pressure Washing

Pressure washing in preparation for painting and sealing is allowed.

HOAs

No HOA or other entity shall 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.

Mobile Equipment Washing

Car washing at home (non-commercial) is only allowed on your lawn watering day and you must use a hose with a shutoff nozzle.
Car washing of fire trucks and other emergency vehicles is allowed.
Car wash fundraisers held on behalf of non-profit organizations are prohibited, except for one-day events that were scheduled prior to the effective date of this WSO.
Rinsing of boats and flushing of boat engines is allowed after each use when needed to remove salt water or to prevent the transportation of exotic plant or animal material.
Cleaning of agricultural vehicles is allowed as necessary.

Fountains

Aesthetic fountains and other water features may only operate four hours per day. The regular hours of operation can be selected by the owner but must be posted.

Restaurants

Requiring restaurants to only serve water upon request.

Medical and Health

The use of water for medical purposes or the protection of public health, safety and welfare is not restricted.

Conservation and Enforcement

Utilities must implement Phase III 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.

Manatee County Utilities, in coordination with Code Enforcement, will enforce the water shortage restrictions. The following penalty structure will apply:

1st violation – $100 fine

2nd violation – $250 fine

3rd violation – $500 fine

The County is coordinating with Code Enforcement staff to ensure consistent enforcement of the Modified Phase II provisions.

The order also directs local utilities to report enforcement activity to the Southwest Florida Water Management District and continue coordination with regional water supply partners, including Tampa Bay Water and the Peace River Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority.

Any violations should be reported to the appropriate local utility.

Golf Courses

Fairways and driving ranges may be irrigated no more than once per week.
Tees, golf course greens and practice greens may be irrigated no more than three times per week.
Roughs shall not be irrigated.

Other Restrictions

Full List of Modified Phase III Watering Restrictions from SWFWMD

Contact Us

If you have additional water restrictions questions, contact us by sending an email to [email protected], or to SWFWMD to [email protected] or by calling 1-800-836-0797 (FL only) or (813) 856-5679 (during business hours).

A Petition for Variance from year-round water conservation measures or water shortage restrictions is available for qualified circumstances. To confirm that a variance is needed or for assistance when filling out an application form, check with our staff during normal business hours at 1-800-848-0499 (FL only) or email [email protected].

PREVIOUS UPDATE (January 28, 2026)

MANATEE COUNTY, FL (Jan. 28, 2026) – The Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) Governing Board has declared a Modified Phase II “Severe” Water Shortage due to ongoing dry conditions across the region. As a result, all residents in Manatee County, including those on private wells, will be required to follow one-day-per-week outdoor watering restrictions beginning February 8, 2026, through July 1, 2026.

The declaration applies to all of 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 Lee County.

The District reported below-average rainfall during the 2025 summer rainy season and a current regional rainfall deficit of approximately 13 inches compared to the 12-month average. Water levels in aquifers, rivers, lakes and regional public water supplies continue to decline and are below normal for this time of year.

Because outdoor irrigation can account for more than 50 percent of household water use, residents should carefully follow their local watering schedules. In Manatee County, the standard one-day-per-week schedule is based on street address:

Addresses ending in 0 or 1: Monday

Addresses ending in 2 or 3: Tuesday

Addresses ending in 4 or 5: Wednesday

Addresses ending in 6 or 7: Thursday

Addresses ending in 8 or 9 and locations without a discernible address: Friday

Unless stricter local hours are in effect:

Properties under two acres may water only before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m.

Properties two acres or larger may water only before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m.

Low-volume irrigation (micro-irrigation, soaker hoses, and hand watering) is allowed any day and time.

Additional provisions of the Modified Phase II Order include:

Homeowners associations and similar entities may not require increased water use for landscape appearance, plant replacement or pressure washing.

Residential car washing is allowed only on the assigned watering day.

Aesthetic fountains are limited to eight hours of operation per day.

Pressure washing is allowed once per year or when preparing surfaces for painting or sealing.