The Tampa Bay region is 14.5 inches below normal rainfall and running out of time to refill its main reservoir before the rainy season ends in October, putting Land O' Lakes, Lutz and Odessa residents squarely under the most severe water restrictions the region has issued.

Despite afternoon storms that have become routine in recent weeks, the drought that began in September 2025 has not loosened its grip. Warren Hogg, chief science officer for Tampa Bay Water, told WFLA on Thursday, Aug. 6, that the C.W. Bill Young Regional Reservoir remains critically low.

"We've been in a drought since September of last year and we didn't get really good rain until pretty much the end of July and August, so we're far behind for the year," Hogg said.

The numbers back him up. The City of Tampa's water department purchased an average of less than half a million gallons per day last fiscal year. This year, that figure has surged to more than 8 million gallons per day, according to Rory Jones with the Tampa Water Department. Jones said he does not expect a rate increase for customers.

What the restrictions mean for you

The Southwest Florida Water Management District's Governing Board voted June 23 to extend its Modified Phase III "Extreme" Water Shortage Order through Oct. 1. It applies to all of Hillsborough and Pasco counties, including residents on private wells.

The restrictions:

  • Lawn watering: Once per week, based on the last digit of your address. Addresses ending in 0 or 1 water Monday; 2 or 3, Tuesday; 4 or 5, Wednesday; 6 or 7, Thursday; 8 or 9, Friday.
  • Watering hours: 12:01 a.m. to 4 a.m. OR 8 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. Properties under one acre may only use one window.
  • Car washing: Only on your designated watering day, with a shutoff nozzle.
  • Fountains: Limited to four hours per day.
  • HOA enforcement: No homeowners association may require residents to increase water use, replace plants for appearance or pressure wash to meet community standards.

Hand watering of plants and shrubs with micro-irrigation or soaker hoses is allowed any day, but only before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m.

Fines are real

In unincorporated Hillsborough County, which includes Lutz and Odessa, code enforcement officers patrol for violations. Citations start at $100.

Hogg said the reservoir needs to be full by the time the rainy season ends in roughly two months. The region needs heavy, sustained rains in the upper Hillsborough River and Alafia River watersheds to keep those rivers flowing, he said.

Pasco County residents, including those in Land O' Lakes, can find their specific watering schedule at pascocountyfl.gov or call (813) 856-5679. Hillsborough County's Water Conservation Hotline is (813) 224-8993. To report violations to SWFWMD directly, call 1-800-836-0797 or email [email protected].