Modified phase III 'extreme' water shortage remains in place as drought persists
Hillsborough County, Fla. (June 30, 2026) - The prolonged drought across Tampa Bay this year has not let up despite scattered summer rains, so the Southwest Florida Water Management District has extended the watering restrictions through the summer to Oct. 1.
This means the one-day-a-week irrigation restrictions remain in place.
The District received below average rainfall during its 2025 rainy season, and at the time the Modified Phase III shortage was declared, it had a 13.7-inch regional rainfall deficit compared to the average 12-month total. The rainfall deficit for May 2026 was 11.4 inches. In addition, water levels in the District's water resources, such as rivers and lakes, are continuing to decline and many are severely low.
The one-day-per-week irrigation limits mean that residents can use outdoor irrigation between 12:01 a.m. and 4 a.m. or 8 p.m. and 11:59 p.m. one day per week. Properties less than 1 acre in size may only use one of these windows.
Other restrictions include:
- Prohibition of non-commercial annual aesthetic pressure washing
- Hand watering and microirrigation limited to before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m.
- The use of any fountain or water feature is allowed provided it is properly maintained and also recycles water, exclusively uses reclaimed water, or provides a necessary water quality benefit. Fountain use is limited to four hours a day.
Know your watering days (One-day-per-week from July 1 to Oct. 1, 2026)
If your address (house number) ends in:
- 0 or 1, water only on Mondays
- 2 or 3, water only on Tuesdays
- 4 or 5, water only on Wednesdays
- 6 or 7, water only on Thursdays
- 8 or 9, water only on Fridays
Common areas with or without street addresses, locations with no address, and locations with mixed addresses (such as office complexes and shopping centers) can only water on Fridays.