Polk County Watering Days: Find Your Day

Polk County is under a water shortage order that limits most lawn watering to one day a week. Enter your street number to see your day.

Find your watering day

Current rules for Polk County Utilities customers

Status: SWFWMD Modified Phase III water shortage order, extended by the district's Governing Board on September 22. Polk County says its restrictions continue through March 2027. Last compared with published sources on November 1, 2026.

Who it covers: Polk County Utilities customers, whatever the water source (city-supplied, private well or reclaimed water).

Watering day by last digit of street address
Street number ends in	Water on
0 or 1	Monday
2 or 3	Tuesday
4 or 5	Wednesday
6 or 7	Thursday
8 or 9	Friday
No street number (common areas, rights-of-way)	Friday

Allowed hours for properties under one acre: 12:01 a.m. to 4 a.m. or 8 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.. Earlier in 2026 the hours were 12:01 a.m. to 8 a.m. or 6 p.m. to 11:59 p.m., which is why older articles show a different window. Larger properties can have different rules, so check with your utility.

Exceptions and enforcement

The county's February notice listed special rules for newly established lawns and plants, non-commercial residential car washing, decorative fountains and low-volume watering. Those allowances can be tighter under a shortage order, so confirm the details before relying on one.
Homeowners associations may not enforce standards that would require more water than the approved schedule allows.
Polk County Utilities no longer sends a courtesy letter for a first violation. Watering outside your day or hours can bring a citation and possible fines.

If you're not a Polk County Utilities customer

Cities and other utilities that run their own water system can set their own days and hours, and they may be stricter than the county's. Look at your water bill for the provider's name, then check that provider's current schedule. The regional rules come from the Southwest Florida Water Management District at WaterMatters.org.

Set your sprinkler controller for one day a week

With one watering day, every head has to cover its zone, and that one cycle has to count. Dry patches that a second weekly run used to hide now show up, and a controller still set to old days can put you in violation. If a zone is dry or the timer won't hold the new schedule, a sprinkler check usually fixes it. Read the full Polk County watering rules guide, or see sprinkler repair in:

Lakeland →Winter Haven →Davenport →Auburndale →Haines City →Bartow →

Sources and accuracy

We are not the utility, and rules change with drought conditions. The county's own site blocks our automated checks, so these facts come from local news reprints of county releases. Always confirm your day on the Polk County Utilities water restrictions page.

Spot an error? Email us.

FAQ

Polk County watering questions

How often can I water my lawn in Polk County right now?

Polk County Utilities customers may water once a week, on a day set by the last digit of the street address. The county said its restrictions continue through March 2027.

What time of day can I water?

Under the Modified Phase III order, watering is limited to 12:01 a.m. to 4 a.m. or 8 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. for properties under one acre. Earlier in 2026 the window was 12:01 a.m. to 8 a.m. or 6 p.m. to 11:59 p.m., so older articles show different hours.

Does this apply if I have a private well or reclaimed water?

Yes. The county's modified hours apply to Polk County Utilities customers regardless of water source, including private wells and reclaimed water.

I live in a city like Lakeland. Which schedule applies?

Cities with their own utilities can set their own days and hours, and they may be stricter than the county's. Check your city's schedule rather than relying on the county table.

Can my HOA make me water more?

The county says homeowners associations may not enforce community standards that would require more water use than the approved schedule allows.

What happens if I water on the wrong day?

Polk County Utilities has stopped sending courtesy letters for a first violation. A customer watering outside the assigned day or time can get a citation and possible fines.