Modified Watering Taking Effect April 3 Following Water Shortage Order

Published: March 26, 2026

Bartow, Fla. (March 26, 2026) — Polk County Utilities customers will be restricted to shorter lawn watering hours beginning Friday, April 3, to comply with the Modified Phase III water shortage order issued by the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) on March 24. SWFWMD’s Governing Board issued the shortage order in response to a 13.7-inch rainfall deficit compared to the area’s historical 12-month average.

Lawn irrigation was restricted to once-per-week at the beginning of February following SWFWMD’s Modified Phase II order. The new Modified Phase III order limits the hours watering can occur from 12:01 a.m. to 4 a.m. or 8 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. Properties less than one acre in size may only water during one of these windows.

Also to comply with SWFWMD’s Modified Phase III water shortage order requirements for public utilities, Polk County Utilities will no longer be issuing courtesy letters upon a customer’s first infraction of the watering schedule after April 17.

“Our team remains committed to educating our customers about the importance of conserving our most important resource,” said Polk County Utilities Director Tamara Richardson. “However, our customers will need to adapt quickly to the watering hours to avoid fines.”

If a customer is observed watering outside of their designated day or time, they will receive a citation and possible fines as outlined by Polk County Ordinance No. 04-07. Previously, customers would have received a courtesy letter informing them of their violation and reminding them of their allowed watering day and time. Per SWFWMD, public utilities and local enforcement officials are to issue citations beginning with the first infraction without issuing warnings or courtesy letters beginning 14 days after the transition to the Modified Phase III water shortage.

The approved watering days and times are outlined in the once-per-week irrigation schedule will not change with the transition to the Modified Phase III water shortage.

The modified watering hours will apply to all residences, businesses and common areas that are served by Polk County Utilities, regardless of water source. Customers with private wells and those using reclaimed water will also be subject to the modified watering hours.

Homeowners associations (HOAs) may not enforce community standards that would require an increase in water usage outside of the approved watering schedule.

Customers of other utilities are encouraged to review their municipality’s or governing body’s schedule and restrictions, as their allowable watering days or hours may be stricter than those enforced by Polk County Utilities.

More details are available at www.polkfl.gov/services/utilities/water-restrictions/.

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