HAINES CITY, Fla. — Starting next Friday, restaurants across the Tampa Bay area will only be allowed to serve water if customers ask for it.
The new rule is part of the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s (SWFWMD) Modified Phase III “Extreme” Water Shortage Order. The advisory also includes a stricter watering schedule and other changes to water usage.
Officials say the last time restaurants were under a water shortage restriction like this was in 2009, so this comes as a shock for many newer business owners. Spectrum Bay News 9 was the first to break the news to several restaurants in Polk County…