Water Restrictions

Phase II Water Shortage

Polk County, Florida, is under a Modified Phase II water shortage order issued by the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD). To comply with the water shortage order, all Polk County Utilities customers will be required to follow a once-per-week watering schedule beginning Sunday, Feb. 8.

The once-per-week watering schedule will apply to all residences, businesses and common areas who are customers of Polk County Utilities, regardless of water source. Customers with private wells and those using reclaimed water will be also subject to the once-per-week watering restriction.

Homeowners associations (HOAs) may not enforce community standards that would require an increase in water usage outside of designated days and times.

For questions related to the water shortage order or irrigation schedule, please contact Polk County Utilities at (863) 298-4211.

Customers of other utilities within Polk County are encouraged to review their municipality’s or governing body’s restrictions, as their allowable watering days or hours may differ from those enforced by Polk County Utilities.

Watering Hours

Watering hours under the new schedule have been modified as follows: 12:01 a.m. to 8 a.m. or 6 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. Properties less than one acre in size may only water during one of these windows.

New Lawns and Plants

New lawns and plants have a 60-day establishment period.

• Days 2 – 30: Any day is allowed, but no watering within the restricted times.
• Days 31- 60: Irrigation is limited to three specified days, except between restricted hours, on the following days:
  • Even Address – Tuesday, Thursday and/or Sunday
  • Odd Address – Monday, Wednesday and/or Saturday
  • *Common Areas – Tuesday, Friday and/or Sunday

Cemeteries and other properties two acres or greater are permitted to use an alternative schedule to provide three days of establishment irrigation per week from day 31 through day 60, as long as a written schedule of establishment period watering is maintained at the property.

Fountains, Car Washing and Pressure Washing

• Annual pressure washing or in preparation for painting and sealing is allowed.
• Car washing at home (non-commercial) is only allowed on your lawn watering day and you must use a hose with a shutoff nozzle.
• Aesthetic fountain use is limited to eight hours a day. Exemptions for koi ponds, small fountains, interactive commercial/institutional recreation areas and other incidental uses.

Watering Violations

The county’s water use restrictions apply to all residential and commercial customers of Polk County Utilities. The restrictions apply to all water sources, including wells and surface waters. Violating these restrictions may result in fines.

For questions and inquiries, or to report a water use violation, email [email protected]. Please provide the following information:

• Violation address
• Date and time of the violation
• The nature of the violation, i.e., watering on a non-watering day, watering during non-watering time
• Your name and contact information are required when reporting a violation

Note: Florida has a very broad public records law. Most written communications to or from state and local officials regarding state or local business are public records available to the public and media upon request. Your email communications may therefore be subject to public disclosure.

Additional Water Restriction Information

• Southwest Florida Water Management District Water Restriction
• Polk County Ordinance No. 04-07, adopted Feb. 18, 2004 – Year-round water conservation measures and water shortage ordinance.
• Polk County Ordinance No. 09-050, Amended Ordinance No. 04-07, section 8 and section 9 on Aug. 1, 2009.
  • Section 8 was amended to provide for enforcement through the Polk County code enforcement special magistrate.
  • Section 9 was amended to provide for penalties and a method to address violations that are irreparable or irreversible in nature; providing for severability, providing for an effective date.

The jurisdiction of Polk County includes properties located in both the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) and the South Florida Water Management District. The majority of the population in Polk and the majority of public water supplies and domestic wells serving Polk’s population are currently located within the SWFWMD water service area. To be consistent to one set of year-round conservation measures and when necessary, one consistent set of temporary water shortage restrictions on a countywide basis, Polk County has adopted the related rules to follow from those of SWFWMD. It is the duty of county government and law enforcement officials for enforcement of these rules.

Wasteful and unnecessary water use is prohibited, which includes:

• Allowing water to be dispersed without any practical purpose
• Using water in a grossly inefficient manner
• Using water for a purpose that can be readily accomplished by other means