Hillsborough County, Fla. (Sept. 23, 2026) - Hillsborough County is asking all residential and commercial property owners to continue observing restrictions regarding landscape watering days because of the regional drought.
The Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board voted Tuesday to extend the Modified Phase III "Extreme" Water Shortage due to dry conditions across the region. The extension requires residents in Hillsborough County, including those on private wells, to continue to follow one-day-per-week watering restrictions. The restrictions will remain in effect through March 31, 2027.
Use of reclaimed water is exempt. That use is allowed any day of the week but only before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m.
The region received below average precipitation during both the 2025 and 2026 summer rainy seasons and currently has a 15-inch regional rainfall deficit compared to the average 12-month total. That has meant water levels are below normal in many area aquifers, rivers, and lakes. Public water supplies in the Tampa Bay area are lower than expected at this time of year, with the C.W. Bill Young Regional Reservoir currently at only half its storage capacity.
Outdoor water use accounts for more than 50% of water consumed by households, and residents should know and follow their local watering restrictions. Under current restrictions, irrigation is allowed only between midnight and 4 a.m., or 8 p.m. and midnight on the following schedule:
If your address (house number) ends in:
- 0 or 1, water only on Monday
- 2 or 3, water only on Tuesday
- 4 or 5, water only on Wednesday
- 6 or 7, water only on Thursday
- 8 or 9*, water only on Friday
* and locations without a discernible address
There is more information regarding the restrictions at WaterMatters.org/restrictions, and HCFL.gov/WaterRestrictions.
Low-volume watering of plants and shrubs (microirrigation, soaker hoses, hand watering) is allowed any day before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m.
Annual pressure washing or pressure washing in preparation for painting and sealing also is allowed.
Residents may be eligible to receive rebates for water-conserving devices, including sprinkler systems, through the Tampa Bay Water Wise program.