PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — A deepening drought is forcing local officials to take drastic measures as water levels across the Tampa Bay region continue to plummet. On Wednesday, the Southwest Florida Water Management District officially escalated the region to a Modified Phase III “Extreme” Water Shortage Order.
The move signals a critical shift in how Pinellas County residents can use water, shifting from voluntary conservation to strictly enforced rules.
Starting April 3, 2026, the county will implement a series of new mandates designed to squeeze every drop of efficiency out of the remaining supply…