Water use restrictions increase for Manatee, Bradenton as drought continues

Manatee County, along with 15 other counties in Florida, must reduce water usage during what officials call “the driest dry season in the past 103 years.”

The increased water restrictions came from the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Governing Board on Tuesday. The Phase III restrictions will be in effect from June 5 until Aug. 1.

The city of Bradenton announced Tuesday afternoon that the city will also adopt the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s restrictions.