The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s (District) Governing Board declared April Water Conservation Month at its March 24 meeting. April is historically one of the driest months of the year and water conservation is crucial due to ongoing extreme drought conditions throughout the region.
All residents remain under one-day-per-week watering restrictions with stricter watering hours, due to the Modified Phase III Water Shortage order enacted last month. Unless your city or county already has stricter hours in effect, 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.
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 from April 3, 2026, through 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.
With these 10 simple tips, you can do your part to save hundreds of gallons of water and lower your monthly water bill:
INDOOR
- Only run your washing machine and dishwasher when they are full.
- Use the shortest clothes washing cycle for lightly soiled loads; normal and permanent-press wash cycles use more water.
- Thaw frozen food in the refrigerator or microwave, not under running water.
- Scrape, don’t rinse your dishes before loading in the dishwasher.
- Install high-efficiency showerheads, faucets and toilets.
OUTDOOR
- Check your home’s irrigation system for leaks.
- Turn off your irrigation system and only water as needed.
- Don’t leave sprinklers unattended. Use a kitchen timer to remind yourself to turn sprinklers off.
- Use a hose with a shut-off nozzle when washing the car on your watering day.
- Consider installing a rain barrel with a drip irrigation system for watering your landscaping. Rainwater is free and better for your plants because it doesn’t contain hard minerals.
Leaks are the biggest water waster, both inside and outside of your home. You can use your water meter to check for leaks. Turn off all faucets and water-using appliances and make sure no one uses water during the testing period. Wait for the hot water heater and ice cube makers to refill and for regeneration of water softeners. Go to your water meter and record the current reading. Wait 30 minutes. (Remember, no water should be used during this period.) Read the meter again. If the reading has changed, you have a leak.
For additional information about the Modified Phase III Water Shortage Order, visit the District’s website WaterMatters.org/Restrictions. For water conserving tips, visit WaterMatters.org/Water101.