The Southwest Florida Water Management District has declared a Phase III Water Shortage effective June 5.
The declaration includes all of The Villages in Marion County, Sumter County, and District 11 (Villages of Fruitland Park) in Lake County along with numerous other counties in SWFWMD.
Under the new water shortage order, lawn watering is reduced to once-per-week and allowable watering hours are reduced to before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m.
Micro-irrigation and hand watering of non-lawn areas are still allowed any day, if needed. The restrictions will remain in effect through at least Aug. 1.
Additional details regarding the watering of new lawns and plants, reclaimed water and other water uses can be found at WaterMatters.org/restrictions.
The approved rate structures for the Village Center Service Area, Little Sumter Service Area, the North Sumter County Utility Dependent District, Sumter Water Conservation Authority, and Fenney Water Conservation Authority include an Environmental Protection Rate Surcharge in the event a water shortage is declared by SWFWMD. In accordance with the rate structure, a 10 percent surcharge will be added to water usage beginning June 5 as a result of SWFWMD’s declaration of a Phase III Water Shortage.
