© 2026 WGCU News
News for all of Southwest Florida
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Watering restrictions set for Charlotte, Sarasota, DeSoto, Highlands, Manatee counties by SWFL Water Management

Southwest Florida Water Management District water restriction zone.
Southwest Florida Water Management District water restriction zone.

Due to ongoing drought conditions throughout the region, the Southwest Florida Water Management District has declared a Modified Phase III “Extreme” Water Shortage for a portion of Charlotte and Highlands counties and all of DeSoto, Sarasota and Manatee counties.

From April 3, through July 1, 2026, watering hours are reduced to 12:01 a.m. to 4 a.m. only. The restriction also applies to residents on private wells.

Watering days are based on the last number of your street address: 0 or 1: Monday, 2 or 3: Tuesday, 4 or 5: Wednesday; 6 or 7: Thursday; and 8 or 9: Friday (also for locations with mixed or no address, such as subdivision common areas).

WGCU is your trusted source for news and information in Southwest Florida. We are a nonprofit public service, and your support is more critical than ever. Keep public media strong and donate now. Thank you.

Trusted by over 30,000 local subscribers

Local News, Right Sized for Your Morning

Quick briefs when you are busy, deeper explainers when it matters, delivered early morning and curated by WGCU editors.

  • Environment
  • Local politics
  • Health
  • And more

Free and local. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

More from WGCU