LAKELAND, FL (February 6, 2026) - 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.






