Wesley Chapel watering remains limited to one day a week through March 2027

Rainfall deficit keeps Pasco County under an extreme water shortage order, with restrictions also applying to homes using private wells.

Wesley Chapel residents will have to continue following irrigation restrictions through the coming dry season. The Southwest Florida Water Management District extended the Modified Phase III Extreme Water Shortage through March 31, 2027, keeping irrigation of established lawns and landscapes to one day per week.

The rule is not limited to customers of the public water system. It also applies to properties using private wells or surface water. In Pasco County, the allowed day depends on the last number of the property address, and Saturdays and Sundays remain outside the regular irrigation schedule.

Find your watering day

YOUR WATERING DAYUse the last number of the property addressADDRESS ENDINGDAY0 or 1Monday2 or 3Tuesday4 or 5Wednesday6 or 7Thursday8 or 9, mixed or no addressFriday

Official schedule for irrigating established lawns and landscapes in Pasco County. Saturday and Sunday are not regular irrigation days.

For potable water, wells or surface water, a property may complete one irrigation cycle on its assigned day, using one of these windows: midnight to 4 a.m. or 8 p.m. to midnight. Properties smaller than one acre must use only one of the two windows.

Properties using reclaimed water must also follow the day assigned to the address, but Pasco County allows one watering cycle between midnight and 8 a.m. on that day.

Why the restriction was extended

The district said the 2025 and 2026 summer rainy seasons produced below-average rainfall. Through August 2026, the 12-month rainfall deficit was 15.4 inches. Lakes, rivers, aquifers and public water supplies did not receive the expected summer replenishment.

Another indicator is the C.W. Bill Young Regional Reservoir used by the Tampa Bay Water regional system. On September 20, the reservoir held 7.87 billion gallons, about half its storage capacity. The district says it will continue monitoring drought conditions and the regional water supply.

The extension matters to Wesley Chapel because residential growth increases demand while the natural water supply remains under pressure. The district says outdoor use accounts for more than half of household water consumption. Limiting regular irrigation to one day per week is one measure intended to reduce that strain.

Rules beyond the sprinkler

WHAT CHANGES AT HOME1WASHING A VEHICLEOnly on the watering day, with an automatic shutoff nozzle.2PLANTS AND SHRUBSHand or low-volume watering is allowed before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m.3HOA AND CDDThey cannot require aesthetic measures that increase restricted water use.The rules cover potable water, private wells and surface water.

Summary of rules published by the Southwest Florida Water Management District and Pasco County.

Washing a personal vehicle at home is limited to the address's watering day and requires a hose with an automatic shutoff nozzle. Plants and shrubs, however, may be watered by hand, micro-irrigation or soaker hose on any day, as long as it is before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m.

The order also prevents homeowners associations and CDDs from requiring residents to increase the use of potable, surface or well water to meet aesthetic standards. That includes requiring plants to be replaced solely to maintain a property's appearance during the water shortage.

New lawns and plants receive a special establishment period of up to 60 days. During the first 30 days, they may be watered daily within the permitted windows. From day 31 through day 60, they follow a three-day-per-week schedule. The exception protects newly installed landscaping, but it does not make the entire property exempt: a full irrigation zone may operate only when at least half of that zone contains newly installed material.

What residents should do

The simplest step is to check the last number of the property address and set the automatic controller for the correct day and time window. Systems watering established lawns or landscapes on Saturday or Sunday should be reprogrammed. The exception is the special schedule for newly installed lawns and plants during their first 60 days. Residents whose irrigation is managed by an HOA or CDD should check the community schedule, especially when reclaimed water is used.

Residents should also watch for leaks, sprinklers spraying sidewalks and irrigation cycles that run longer than necessary. In addition to wasting water, violations can bring enforcement: the district said local authorities must continue monitoring compliance and may issue citations without first giving a warning.

The restrictions remain in effect through March 31, 2027. That is the current expiration date of the order, while water conditions will continue to be monitored. Until then, lawns in Wesley Chapel may still be watered; they just cannot choose any day of the week.

Important information

  • Order effective through: March 31, 2027.
  • Affected area: Pasco County and other counties served by the Southwest Florida Water Management District.
  • Who must comply: residents using potable water, surface water or private wells; reclaimed water follows Pasco County's local day and time schedule.
  • Regular irrigation: one day per week based on the last number of the address.
  • Potable, well or surface water: one cycle between midnight and 4 a.m. or between 8 p.m. and midnight.
  • Reclaimed water: one cycle between midnight and 8 a.m.
  • Saturday and Sunday: not regular irrigation days in Pasco County.
  • Reporting suspected misuse: Pasco County provides a form on its Water Resources page.

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