Water restrictions announced this week by the South Florida Water Management District cover parts of Lee County, but most significantly affect agricultural water uses.

The district asks that residents in affected areas in Lee with odd home addresses water lawns and wash vehicles between 4 a.m. and 8 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Residents with even home addresses can water during the same hours on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.

Agricultural water users must reduce their surface-water consumption by 15 percent.

If the shortage persists, mandatory restrictions could be ordered, the district said.

Water managers are concerned with the level of Lake Okeechobee, which serves as the primary backup water source for South Florida.

The district said the lake is more than 3.5 feet, or 22 percent, below its historical average. A yearlong drought already has forced mandatory water restrictions to begin next week for farms, businesses and residents around the lake.