Sarasota County still enforces a countywide burn ban, in effect since April 19 because of high drought conditions. The county prohibits bonfires, campfires, and outdoor burning of yard debris. Cooking on a barbecue grill is the only activity permitted. Check the Sarasota County Fire Department portal for more details.

In Lee County, the ban expired on May 27. Thanks to seasonal rains, fire risk dropped, so burning restrictions are no longer in place. See the Lee County Government website for updates and tips on safe burning. Manatee County has also lifted its burn ban.

Charlotte County’s case is a bit more complicated. Back in March, commissioners pulled back their ban, but by April 28, they reinstated it countywide. Severe drought and increased fire danger forced the move, and the ban remains active for now. For more information, go to the Charlotte County website.

The City of Cape Coral no longer enforces its temporary burn ban. The Keetch-Byram Drought Index dropped below 600, improving conditions enough for the Cape Coral Fire Department to rescind the ban on Tuesday, May 26, 2026. Residents can use recreational and cooking fires but should remain cautious. City codes require these fires to stay 25 feet away from any structure and always have a way to extinguish a fire nearby. Keep recreational fires under 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in height. These are for enjoyment, not for burning trash or yard waste. 

Burn bans are a direct response to the historic drought gripping Florida. According to the NOAA Climate Prediction Center, this severe drought should ease by late August. Florida’s summer rains can dump a lot of water in a short time, but quick bursts aren’t enough. Steady rain is what it takes to really soak the deeper soil and rebuild regional water tables.

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Even with supplies down, there’s no call for panic. The region’s backup systems are fulfilling their designed purpose, helping keep water flowing to homes and businesses during dry spells. That matters most for people in Sarasota, Charlotte, and DeSoto counties, who all depend on the authority for their water.

The system pulls water from the Peace River, treats it, and either sends it out for use or stores it deep underground through its Aquifer Storage and Recovery setup. There’s already a second reservoir online, and a much larger one, able to hold 9 billion gallons, is under construction to bolster reserves even more for the future.

Right now, the drought is putting all that preparation to the test. This is the region’s worst water shortage in nearly ten years. The Southwest Florida Water Management District has activated Phase 3 water restrictions, its toughest rules, something that hasn’t happened since 2017.

Since November, water levels in the Peace River have dipped below what’s normally allowed for withdrawal. So, in March, authorities issued an emergency order giving temporary permission to keep drawing water, just not as much as usual.

The numbers show why the system’s storage is so crucial. The authority collected about 8.7 million gallons per day from the river in March, but supplied over three times that amount to the community. That extra water is coming from reserves, both in above-ground reservoirs and the underground aquifer system. These are the buffers Southwest Florida needs as climate swings between wet and dry spells become the new normal.

These preparations help the region avoid immediate water shortages and keep taps running. Environmental advocates still push for conservation, pointing out that overdrawn rivers suffer. Declaring an emergency allows for water withdrawal beyond permitted limits, which experts warn could devastate the river’s resources. Low river flows can disrupt habitats, fuel competition between plants, and force animals to move in search of water, which can quickly reshape the ecosystem.

One long-term challenge could be higher treatment and pumping costs during the summer rainy season, as the system refills. But officials say customers probably won’t see these added costs on their bills.

Right now, there’s no drinking water crisis, and Southwest Florida is investing in even more infrastructure to weather drier years. But a half-empty reservoir is a flashing warning sign. Real resilience will take more than just bigger storage; it depends on smarter conservation, mandatory protections, and a healthier river.

Click here for more information.

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The restrictions hit all of Citrus, DeSoto, Hardee, Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota, and Sumter counties; parts of Charlotte, Highlands, and Lake counties; the City of Dunnellon and The Villages in Marion County; plus Gasparilla Island in Charlotte County, all from April 3 through July 1, 2026.

Florida residents have just one day a week to water their lawns, and strict hours to follow. Even homes with private wells aren’t exempt, and everyone must stick to the same schedule. For the first two weeks after the rules kicked in, local governments tried warnings, but starting April 17, fines replaced those warnings.

Here’s what to expect. Cities and counties pick their own watering days, so check which day applies to your address. Local enforcement officers won’t be handing out warnings anymore; instead, they’ll issue a citation right away if you break the rules.

The Water Management District makes it clear: water utilities and code enforcement will ramp up their efforts. They’ll answer complaints, patrol neighborhoods, and monitor water usage with customer records. Once the two-week grace period ends, they issue citations for every violation, with no more second chances.

In Pinellas County, officials are taking this seriously. “The fine goes up if you break the rules again. So don’t ignore a citation letter,” says Jeremy Waugh, Pinellas County’s Director of Utilities. His team, normally focused on educating residents, will now patrol neighborhoods during both watering windows to catch violations. He urges people to double-check their watering days and schedule their sprinklers correctly. No one wants to issue fines, he insists, but they’re required to act by district policy.

Every county has its own rules about watering days. For example, which addresses water on which day. The allowed windows: either from 12:01 a.m. to 4 a.m. or 8 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. If your property is less than one acre, you can only use one of those windows.

HOAs may not force homeowners to use extra water for appearance. Car washing is okay, but only on your watering day, and you must use a hose with a shutoff nozzle. You can run fountains for only four hours each day. Restaurants can only serve water if customers ask for it.

The new enforcement is strict, and officials urge everyone to pay attention. You don’t want to be one of the people getting fined.

Click here for more information.

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Starting April 3 and lasting through July 1, 2026, residents can only water their lawns between 12:01 a.m. and 4 a.m. Even if you’re using a private well, you still have to follow these rules.

Your watering day depends on your street address’s last number: If it ends in 0 or 1, it’s Monday. For 2 or 3, go with Tuesday. Numbers 4 or 5 get Wednesday, 6 or 7 are Thursday, and 8 or 9 are Friday. These same rules apply to areas with mixed or no addresses, like subdivision common spaces. The district’s aim is to preserve water resources while the drought continues.

For more details and information see Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD).

The post Southwest Florida Faces Tighter Water Rules as Drought Deepens appeared first on Englewood Review.

The district’s moving ahead with Phase III of its Water Shortage Plan. The changes hit both residents and businesses. Probably the most noticeable: restaurants can only serve water if you ask for it. Outdoor watering is now squeezed into just two windows: midnight to 4 a.m. and 8 p.m. to midnight. Anything outside that schedule puts you at risk of an immediate citation.

Michelle Hopkins, who heads the Regulation Division, doesn’t sugarcoat it. “It’s pretty severe,” she said. Even though some drought indicators look a little better, plenty are still below normal. More worrying, public water supply reservoirs are running low.

Every time the district considers new restrictions, it looks at a range of factors to protect the long-term water supply. The goal isn’t just to get through this drought, but to help reservoirs bounce back before the next dry season. “We want to be ready with a full system,” Hopkins explained.

These rules cover all counties overseen by the district. For details on what applies in your neighborhood, the district’s website has specifics. Phase III restrictions remain in effect until at least July 1. Go here for more information.

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If you live in Citrus, DeSoto, Hardee, Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota, or Sumter counties, or parts of Charlotte, Highlands, Lake, the City of Dunnellon, The Villages, or Gasparilla Island, you’re included. Doesn’t matter if you use city water or have your own well: everyone’s in.

Starting February 8 and running through July 1, you can only water your yard one day a week. The schedule goes by your street address:

Addresses ending in 0 or 1: Monday 
2 or 3: Tuesday 
4 or 5: Wednesday 
6 or 7: Thursday 
8 or 9, and places without a clear address: Friday

There are time limits, too. If your property’s under two acres, water only before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m. For two acres or more, stick to before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m. If you use micro-irrigation, soaker hoses, or just a watering can, you can water any time.

The problem is simple: last summer’s rainy season fizzled. The district saw roughly 13 inches less rainfall than usual over the past year. Aquifers, lakes, rivers—they’re all running low. Michelle Hopkins, who heads up the district’s Regulation Division, put it plainly: “We’re moving into the dry season already behind, and the outlook says rain will keep coming up short. That’s why we’re stepping up restrictions now.”

Sarasota County’s had similar rules since 2023. Manatee County now joins them. County officials stress that the one-day-per-week watering rule applies to everyone, private wells included.

There are other restrictions, too. Homeowners associations can’t force you to water more for your lawn’s appearance or require extra pressure washing. Wash your car at home only on your watering day. Fountains get eight hours per day, max. Pressure washing is limited to once a year—unless you’re prepping to paint or seal.

Manatee County’s code enforcement officers will be out watching for violations. Christian Collins from the county utilities department says the team is ready: “We’ve got about 20 officers keeping an eye out—not just for water rules, but for all code violations. They’ll be part of the effort.”

Penalties start with a warning. Second violation is a $100 fine, third jumps to $250, and fourth or more means $500 each time. Local utilities must report back to the district and keep working with regional water partners.

You can find all the details at mymanatee.org/waterrestrictions. For tips on saving water, check out WaterMatters.org/Water101.

The post Every Resident Affected: Phase II Water Rules Extend Across 11 Counties in Southwest Florida appeared first on Englewood Review.

The event will run from 9 a.m. to noon and will give residents the chance to see how potable water is produced, how wastewater is treated and how the department supports the health and growth of Charlotte County.

The facility is located at 17430 Burnt Store Road in Punta Gorda. Attendees must confirm participation online. Space is limited and reservations will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis.

Participants should be prepared for a walking tour, much of it outdoors, and must wear closed-toed shoes. The tour date is subject to change. For more details, email CCUPR@CharlotteCountyFL.gov.

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Registration is now open for a free, 3-hour introductory Energy Coach workshop set for August 09. Participants will receive professional instruction on and hands-on training in energy- and water-efficiency strategies, device installation, financial incentives for home upgrades, and public outreach. Training takes place at the UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County: Twin Lakes Park, Green Building 6700 Clark Road Sarasota, FL 34241

“Community-centered support for reducing energy and water bills makes a real difference for Sarasota County households already working hard for safety and stability,” said Casey McCabe, energy program specialist with Sarasota County UF/IFAS Extension and Sustainability. “Our focus on weatherization and efficiency is especially relevant as we experience increased extreme heat and storm activity in our area.”

Nearly half of Sarasota County households are cost-burdened, meaning residents pay more than 30% of their annual income on housing costs. Utility and water bills are a large contributor to this disparity, with some low-to-median-income households in our region paying up to 19% of their annual income on energy costs.

From 2020 through 2024, the Energy Upgrade team has reached nearly 7,000 people with energy-efficiency education and upgraded 310 households. They’ve helped residents save more than $182,000 in utility costs and upward of 4 million gallons of water annually.

The Energy Coach training will run from 9 a.m. to noon, followed by a light lunch. Training will cover energy- and water-conservation techniques, energy equity, local utility bill payment assistance, efficiency-related financial incentives, and more. Learn more and register at eventbrite.com/e/1342471040019.

Whether you have a busy weekday schedule or simply prefer weekend learning, this training is designed and scheduled to ensure that everyone can participate. If you would like to join the training but require accommodations or cannot make the specified time, please contact SustainableSarasota@scgov.net.

For more information and to register, visit the registration page or call the Sarasota County Contact Center at 311 (or 941-861-5000 outside Sarasota County).UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County partners local, state, and federal resources to translate research into community initiatives, classes, and volunteer opportunities related to 4-H youth development; agriculture; gardening and landscaping; natural resources; nutrition and healthy living; and sustainability. Learn more at sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasota.

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