Watering Schedule and Restrictions

Lawn and Landscape Irrigation

• Lawn watering is limited to once-per-week, this applies to all water sources, including potable water and private wells.
• Watering times are as follows for properties less than two acres in size: 12:01 a.m. to 8:00 a.m., or 6:00 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
• Watering times are as follows for properties more than two acres in size: 12:01 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., or 4:00 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
• Low-volume watering of plants and shrubs (micro-irrigation, soaker hoses, hand watering) is allowed any day and any time.
• No HOA or other entity shall enforce deed restrictions or other community standards requiring an increase in water use, including replacement of plant material to meet aesthetic standards or pressure washing.
• 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 fountains are limited to eight hours a day.

*Locations without a discernible address are areas such as rights-of-way and other common areas inside a subdivision are included in the restriction

New Lawns and Plants

• New landscaping must follow the assigned watering schedule, watering can only take place once a day, even during the establishment period.
• Contractors are responsible for ensuring systems are properly set prior to turnover.
• New lawns and plants have a 60-day establishment period. On days 1-30, they may be watered any day of the week. During days 31-60, irrigation is limited to one application on each of three specified days. Even-numbered addresses may water on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. Odd-numbered addresses may be watered on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. During the establishment period customers are still limited to only watering before 8am, or after 6pm. During this period, you can only water once per day, you are NOT able to water before 8am AND after 6pm. You must choose one or the other.
• 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 so long as a written schedule of establishment period watering is maintained at the property. From day 31 through day 60, properties with no discernable address, such as common areas and rights of way, are permitted to provide establishment period irrigation on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday.
• This establishment period begins the day the New Plant Material is installed and is limited to areas containing New Plant Material only. An entire zone of an Irrigation system may only be used for establishment period watering if the zone in question is for an area that contains at least 50% New Plant Material.
• The property owner or manager shall, upon request, provide a receipt or other proof of qualification for the new plant establishment period or other claimed exemption or allowance.

Watering Violations

The county's water use restrictions apply to all customers, residential and commercial, in unincorporated Polk. The restrictions also apply to all water sources, including wells and surface waters. Violating these restrictions may result in a fine of up to $500.

For questions and inquiries, or to report a water use violation, call Water Resource Enforcement at (863) 229-5031, or email bnadeau [at] eaglelakefl.gov (bnadeau[at]eaglelakefl[dot]gov). 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, etc.)
• Your name and contact information (Required)

Please 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

The jurisdiction of Polk County includes lands 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 county-wide basis, Polk County has adopted the related rules to follow from those of SWFWMD. It is the duty of county governmental 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