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Punta Gorda utility board reports ongoing drought, steps up watering enforcement
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Summary
Punta Gorda’s Utility Advisory Board said the region remains in drought, reported low reservoir levels and described daily enforcement of stage‑3 watering rules that produced $5,125 in fines in the first month under a reduced $25 fine schedule.
Tom Spencer, Punta Gorda’s utility director, warned the Utility Advisory Board that drought conditions persist across the region and are affecting local supplies. Spencer said statewide drought impacts roughly 18.1 million people and that “100% of the county is in that drought,” adding that the city’s reservoir level was about 5.11 feet on the day of the meeting.
The board discussed conservation enforcement as staff continue to implement stage‑3 water‑shortage restrictions. Spencer told members staff are issuing about “15 to 20 citations written each day,” with one day recording 45 citations. He said the rules from the water management authority (referred to in the meeting as Swiftmud) prohibit giving warnings under the modified stage‑3 rules: “If you’re watering after 4AM, you’re getting a ticket,” Spencer said.
Board members pressed for revenue and enforcement details. Finance director Kristen Simeon said the new, lower fine (introduced as $25 for a first offense) produced $5,125 in the first month of collections. Simeon said the city expects initial revenues to decline over time if the fines succeed as a deterrent.
Spencer and other staff outlined enforcement practices and exemptions. Residents establishing new lawns have a 60‑day establishment period; days 1–30 may be watered any day and days 31–60 are restricted to a limited schedule, and hand watering and micro‑irrigation for plants remain permitted within prescribed time windows. Spencer recommended that residents retain receipts or contractor documentation if they need to demonstrate a new lawn exemption.
The meeting did not change the city’s formal restrictions. Board members were reminded that citations are part of the city’s water‑use permit obligations and that continued rainfall over source waters is needed to ease supply pressures.
The board will revisit conservation and enforcement outcomes in future meetings; the next Utility Advisory Board meeting is scheduled for May 19.
