SWFWMD extends Phase 3 water‑shortage restrictions; Lake Alfred to boost outreach

Amanda Sennett, representing the Southwest Florida Water Management District, told the Lake Alfred City Commission that the district extended modified Phase 3 water‑shortage restrictions — limiting lawn irrigation to one day per week — through Oct. 1 for the region that includes Polk County.

"The district has extended modified phase 3 1 day co week water shortage restrictions through October 1," Sennett said, and she walked the commission through the address‑based watering schedule (addresses ending in 0–1: Monday; 2–3: Tuesday; 4–5: Wednesday; 6–7: Thursday; 8–9 and addresses without a clear number: Friday) and permitted watering hours (12:01 a.m.–4 a.m. or 8 p.m.–midnight for properties under one acre).

Sennett emphasized permitted exceptions and enforcement policy: residents may hand‑water plants, use micro‑irrigation or soaker hoses any day before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m.; new landscaping has a 60‑day establishment period (first 30 days any day, days 31–60 limited to three days weekly), and reclaimed water customers follow voluntary hours unless the local government imposes stricter rules. She also described district outreach the city will receive: "We will develop and print at least 500 door hangers," and provide brochures, mailers and roughly 50 rain sensors for irrigation controller checks.

City Manager Ryan Levengood and staff discussed enforcement strategy with the commission, saying the city intends to emphasize education before citations and to coordinate distribution of district materials. Staff also noted the district will supply tools and outreach assistance to support compliance and conservation work in neighborhoods.