What does Phase 3 Extreme Water Shortage mean for my lawn watering?

Residential and landscape irrigation is limited to one day per week and banned between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Are decorative fountains and ponds allowed during this order?

No; aesthetic uses of water like decorative fountains are prohibited under the order.

What should a public water utility do if it loses its primary supply?

Notify the District within 24 hours and implement operational changes to manage demand.

May 19, 2026 Public Hearing: Ocala, FL

Q: Where can I find the full order and details?

Read SJR No. 2026-017 on the District website at https://aws.sjrwmd.com/SJRWMD/government/2026-017-WSO-Phase-III.pdf or https://www.sjrwmd.com/wateringrestrictions/.

NOTICE St Johns River Water Management District Declaration of Phase 3 Extreme Water Shortage Below-average rainfall, continuing declining groundwater levels, and reduced river flows are contributing to water resource stress, therefore the St Johns River Water Management District has issued a Phase 3 Extreme Water Shortage Order, SJR No. 2026-017 (https://aws.sjrwmd.com/SJRWMD/government/2026-017-WSO-Phase-III.pdf ) (Order) for all of Clay, Duval, Flagler, Nassau, Putnam, and St. Johns counties, those portions of Baker, Bradford, and Lake counties located within the District, those portions of Alachua County located within the District, except for unincorporated areas, for which water shortage-related orders have been delegated to the Suwannee River Water Management District, and those portions of Marion County located within the District, the City of Ocala, and all unincorporated areas of Marion County, except for the unincorporated area lying within The Villages of Marion, FQD, for which water shortage-related orders have been delegated to the Southwest Florida Water Management District. A summary of the restrictions and other requirements is provided below. Please refer to the Order for more details. All residential and landscape use irrigation is limited to one day a week and prohibited from 8 a.m to 6 p.m. Number of days of allowable irrigation of new plantings, including sod has been reduced. Aesthetic uses of water are prohibited and additional restrictions apply to activities such as street and pressure washing. All water users are encouraged to voluntarily reduce water use and conserve water to the maximum extent possible. All public supply water consumptive use permittees should institute or accelerate modifications to operational practices that can help manage demand and notify the District within 24 hours if the public supply water system experiences a sudden loss of its primary water supply or other significant change in system status. Commercial/industrial/institutional users must suspend certain non-essential water uses. All agricultural/commercial/Industrial/Institutional consumptive use permitees shall inform the District about any drought-related challenges with their water supplies. Wasteful and unnecessary water use is prohibited. Water users are also encouraged to proactively plan for extended dry conditions, and the potential for additional mandatory restrictions should the water shortage advance to a more severe phase. Visit the Districts website at https://www.sjrwmd.com/wateringrestrictions/ ?12336772 5.19.26

Public Hearing — Ocala

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The College of Central Florida Board of Trustees will hold a public budget workshop on Wednesday, May 27, 2026 at 12:30 p.m. in Founders Hall to discuss the college budget; the public is invited and accommodations are available on request.

The College of Central Florida District Board of Trustees will hold a public meeting on May 27, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. in Founders Hall Board Room on the Ocala campus to conduct general college business; the public is invited to attend.

The Ocala Planning & Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing May 26, 2026 at 5:30 PM to consider annexation and future land use change requests for about 82.4 acres at 5575 SW 52nd Street. Residents may comment in person or review materials online or at city offices.

The Marion County School Board will hold a public hearing on May 26, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. in Ocala to consider pre-qualification requests for general construction services for 2026–2027. Agendas will be posted seven days prior and available from the district.

The Ocala City Council will hold public hearings on May 5 and May 19, 2026 to consider creating the Mockingbird Ridge Community Development District for a proposed 169.31-acre development west of I-75. The district would finance and maintain infrastructure like roads and utilities.

Canterwood Acres Community Development District proposes adopting new Rules of Procedure and will hold a public hearing on June 11, 2026 at noon in Ocala. Written proposals for lower-cost regulatory alternatives are due within 21 days of this notice.

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