Developer Watch

Infrastructure accountability & growth impact tracking

Phase III EXTREME Water Shortage Active

Modified Phase III Extreme Water Shortage Restrictions due to prolonged below-average rainfall and declining aquifer, river, and lake levels.

Effective: April 3, 2026 through July 1, 2026 | Source: SWFWMD - Southwest Florida Water Management District

D

Overall Infrastructure Grade

Based on 6 tracked metrics

1-Day/Week Watering Schedule (6pm – 8am ONLY)

Monday

Ending in 0 or 1

Tuesday

Ending in 2 or 3

Wednesday

Ending in 4 or 5

Thursday

Ending in 6 or 7

Friday

Ending in 8 or 9

Sat/Sun

NO WATERING

🚗 Car Wash: 1x/week, auto shut-off nozzle⛲ Fountains: 4 hrs/day max🍽️ Restaurants: Water on request only⚠️ Citations issued for violations

Infrastructure Report Card

Graded metrics based on growth impact

Emergency Services

Deputies per 1,000 Residents

D

Ranked 64th of 67 FL Counties

Pasco County ranks 64th out of 67 Florida counties in deputies per 1,000 residents. Sheriff requesting 40 new deputies.

Source: Pasco County Sheriff's Office

Growth & Development

New Residences Approved

D

10,000+

Over 10,000 new residences approved since July 2023, driving demand for additional law enforcement, infrastructure, and school capacity.

Source: Pasco County Sheriff's Office budget request

Road Infrastructure

Road Infrastructure

C

Strained

Rapid population growth creating increasing congestion on major corridors. County total budget of $2.262 billion includes infrastructure spending.

Source: Pasco County Budget FY2025

School Capacity

School System Capacity

C

85,855 students / 109 schools

Pasco County School District serves 85,855 students across 109 schools. Growth in approved residences continues to pressure school capacity.

Source: Pasco County School Board (2023-2024 data)

Septic & Utilities

Septic/Utility Connection Backlog

D

Ongoing

Aging septic systems in older communities continue to pose environmental and health risks. County utility expansion programs underway but backlog remains for connecting older properties.

Source: Pasco County Utilities

Water Resources

Watering Schedule

1 day per week based on address

Mon: ends 0/1, Tue: ends 2/3, Wed: ends 4/5, Thu: ends 6/7, Fri: ends 8/9. Hours: 6pm-8am only. No weekends.

Source: SWFWMD

Water Resources

Water Shortage Phase

F

Phase III - Extreme

Modified Phase III "Extreme" Water Shortage Restrictions in effect April 3 - July 1, 2026. Lawn watering limited to 1 day/week (6pm-8am). No weekend watering. Car washing once/week with auto shut-off nozzle.

Source: SWFWMD (Southwest FL Water Management District)

Infrastructure Grade Overview

Visual comparison of key metrics

Campaign Finance Transparency

Following the money in Pasco County politics

Citizen-Led Donations

Individual contributions from Pasco County residents supporting candidates they believe in. These represent grassroots engagement in local democracy.

Developer/PAC Donations

Contributions from development companies, real estate interests, and Political Action Committees. Key to watch as Pasco approves 10,000+ new residences while facing extreme water shortage.

Campaign finance data is publicly available through the Florida Division of Elections. Detailed candidate reports can be viewed at dos.elections.myflorida.com.