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By Anna Skinner
Associate News Editor
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As drought conditions deepen across west‑central Florida, restaurants are now required to limit how they serve water to customers under a newly declared Modified Phase III “Extreme” Water Shortage.
Florida’s persistent drought has choked river flows, slashed rainfall totals and left reservoir levels critically low, prompting local water officials to issue a call for conservation to help stretch supplies through the region’s driest months. The order, issued by the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) on Wednesday, introduces some of the toughest conservation rules the region has seen in years—including a shift that means diners will no longer receive water automatically. The modification comes only weeks after Tampa Bay Water issued a call for conservation to its customers, including the suggestion to limit showers to five minutes.
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The water shortage order, effective from April 3 through July 1, affects 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, as well as Gasparilla Island in Charlotte County.
SWFWMD cited a 13.7‑inch regional rainfall deficit and sharply declining aquifer, river and lake levels as key reasons for escalating restrictions. Public water supplies are already “extremely low for this time of year,” according to the district.
Among the most visible changes for locals and visitors is a new requirement for restaurants that water can now only be served upon customer request. The restriction aims to curb unnecessary water use. It remains to be seen how the change might affect restaurant operations and procedures.
Wider Rules Limit Water Use Across the Region
Beyond restaurants, the Modified Phase III order includes sweeping limitations on everyday water activities:
- Outdoor irrigation is now restricted to one day per week and only during reduced overnight windows—either 12:01 a.m. to 4 a.m. or 8 p.m. to 11:59 p.m., depending on property size and local rules.
- Car washing at home is allowed only on a designated lawn‑watering day and must be done with a shutoff nozzle.
- Aesthetic fountains may operate only four hours per day, with posted schedules.
- HOAs and similar groups may not enforce aesthetic landscape standards that require increased water use, including forced pressure-washing or mandatory plant replacement.
Officials emphasize that outdoor watering typically represents more than half of household water consumption, making it a significant target for cuts.
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