Lakeland residents will face steeper fines if they continue to water their lawns or wash vehicles on the wrong day of the week. City commissioners voted unanimously on Sept. 8 to implement stronger enforcement measures and higher fines for residents and businesses who don’t abide by the Phase III drought water-use restrictions put in place by the Southwest Florida Water Management District.
The new city law takes effect immediately. Violating the regional water use restrictions for the first time carries a fine of $50, second-time violations are $200 and third and subsequent violations are $500. Fines are calculated based on a rolling 12-month period.
Assistant City Attorney Katie Prenoveau said the Southwest Florida Water Management District, commonly called Swiftmud, has declared its region, including Polk County, was in Phase III drought and implemented regional water restrictions in early April…