ATTENTION: BURN BAN NOW IN EFFECT

A mandatory burn ban is now in effect for Polk County to include the Town of Dundee, as of Nov. 25. The burn ban will remain in effect until further notice.

WHAT IS A BURN BAN?
A burn ban prohibits outdoor burning to prevent accidental and avoidable wildfires. Burn bans occur when there has been an extensive drought and dry vegetation could easily ignite and start a fire.

The burn ban prohibits the following:
1. Campfires.
2. Bonfires.
3. Unpermitted controlled burns.
4. Burning of yard and household trash.
5. Burning of organic debris.
6. Igniting of fireworks; and
7. Noncommercial burning of materials other than for religious or ceremonial purposes, in which case they must be contained in a barbecue grill or barbecue pit, and the total fuel area cannot exceed three feet in diameter and two feet in height.
 
For more information visit: https://www.polk-county.net/news/polk-county-officials-enact-burn-ban-nov-25/

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District Declares Phase I Water Shortage

Residents asked to conserve by following their local watering restrictions and checking their irrigation systems and timers

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) Governing Board voted today to declare a Phase I Water Shortage due to dry conditions throughout the region.

The restrictions apply to all of Citrus, DeSoto, Hardee, Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota and Sumter counties; portions of Charlotte, Highlands and Lake counties; the City of Dunnellon and The Villages in Marion County; and the portion of Gasparilla Island in Lee County from Dec. 1, 2025, through July 1, 2026.

The District received lower than normal rainfall during its summer rainy season and currently has a 13-inch regional rainfall deficit compared to the average 12-month total. In addition, water levels in the District’s water resources, such as aquifers, rivers and lakes, are declining. Public water supplies remain in relatively good shape.

The Phase I Water Shortage Order does not change allowable watering schedules, however it does prohibit “wasteful and unnecessary” water use, such as allowing water to flow from an unattended hose. Twice-per-week lawn watering schedules remain in effect except where stricter measures have been imposed by local governments. Local governments maintaining once-per-week watering by local ordinance include Citrus, Hernando, Pasco and Sarasota counties and the cities of Dunedin, Tampa and Venice. Residents should check with their city or county for allowable days and times as many have different schedules or stricter hours in effect.

Outdoor water use accounts for more than 50 percent of water consumed by households and residents should know and follow their local watering restrictions. Residents are asked to check their irrigation systems to ensure they are working properly. This means testing and repairing broken pipes and leaks and fixing damaged or tilted sprinkler heads. Residents should also check their irrigation timer to ensure the settings are correct and the rain sensor is working properly.

The order also requires local utilities to review and implement procedures for enforcing year-round water conservation measures and water shortage restrictions, including reporting enforcement activity to the District. The District continues to monitor the drier-than-normal hydrologic conditions and we are coordinating with our utility and regional water supply partners such as Tampa Bay Water and the Peace River Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority.

For additional information about the Phase I Water Shortage Order, visit the District’s website WaterMatters.org/Restrictions. For water conserving tips, visit WaterMatters.org/Water101.

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The Magic of Christmas is coming to Dundee!

Join us this Saturday for the Dundee Christmas Parade followed by the Mayor’s Toy Drive, on Saturday, December 13th. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be joining us to help spread holiday cheer and taking photos with families. See the flyer below for all the details! #Dundeeonetownoneteam

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We’re Looking for Community-Minded Volunteers!