The City of Tavares announced on May 12 that it is implementing Phase 3 water conservation measures after the St. Johns River Water Management District issued a Phase 3 Extreme Water Shortage Order for Lake County, effective May 11. The order comes in response to ongoing dry conditions and declining water levels across the region.
The new restrictions are intended to address the growing concern over water availability. City officials said these measures are necessary to protect local resources and ensure continued access to essential water needs.
Under the Phase 3 guidelines, residential lawn irrigation is now limited to one day per week—Saturdays for odd-numbered addresses and Sundays for even-numbered addresses—with all irrigation prohibited between 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM. For newly installed landscaping, watering is permitted daily for the first fifteen days, up to three days per week for the next thirty days, and up to two days per week during the final fifteen-day period.
Other prohibitions include wasteful use of water, operation of decorative fountains or aesthetic features not using reclaimed water, and excessive runoff onto streets or sidewalks. Officials from the St. Johns River Water Management District have indicated that if drought conditions persist or worsen, a Phase 4 Extreme Water Shortage Order may be enacted with additional mandatory restrictions.
“The cooperation of our residents and businesses is critical during this period of extreme water shortage,” said city officials. “Every effort to conserve water helps protect our community’s water resources and ensures continued reliability for essential needs.”
The City will continue monitoring updates from regional authorities and will provide further information if more restrictions become necessary.
