Watering Restrictions Extended

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) has extended the rules limiting watering for another six months. The rules were set to expire at the end of February.

Residents have been under the tightened restrictions since 2007, when the original watering order cut days from twice a week to once.

SFWMD officials report that water conditions have improved enough to allow the more relaxed rules and long-range forecasts project above normal rainfall for the next three months. However, board members felt that it was necessary to keep the tighter restrictions enforced until the summer rains begin, because the water levels in local lakes are still lagging.