Florida faces one of its driest periods in decades, prompting new water restrictions affecting daily life. Over 72% of the state is in extreme or exceptional drought, with declining water levels in rivers, lakes, and aquifers. The Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) imposed Modified Phase III restrictions from April 3 to July 1, limiting lawn watering to specific hours, restricting restaurant water service, and banning non-commercial car washing outside designated days. Residents are urged to conserve water, with penalties for violating regulations. The drought, comparable to the 1998-2002 period, strains water supplies as population growth exacerbates scarcity.
Florida Implements Strict Water Restrictions Amid Severe Drought
