As of Tuesday, September 29, 2009, the Governing Board of the Southwest Florida Water Management District extended the water emergency for several counties, including Polk County through February 28, 2010. The water restrictions are as follows:
- Lawn and landscape watering from groundwater sources are limited to One Day Per Week, with watering restricted to once per day.
- On the designated data, one may only irrigate lawns and landscape between midnight and 8:00 A.M. or between 6:00 P.M. and midnight.
- Note: Variances are available if a property proposes an alternative irrigation plan (such as splitting a large property into two pieces and assigning a different day to each piece).
- Hand watering or micro-irrigation of landscaping, other than actual lawn areas, is allowed at any time.
- Reasonable exemptions to the restrictions will be allowed, provided that usage is limited to appropriate quantities, such as new plant material.
Watering Schedule (One Day Per Week) as Follows:
Addresses with House Numbers | Watering Days |
|---|
| Ending in "0" or "1" | Monday |
| Ending in "2" or "3" | Tuesday |
| Ending in "4" or "5" | Wednesday |
| Ending in "6" or "7" | Thursday |
| Ending in "8" or "9" | Friday |
| Locations where address cannot be determined | Friday |
| No Watering | Saturday/Sunday |
Who Does This Apply To?
The watering restrictions apply to everyone with water supplied by utilities, private wells, and surface water sources. If you are a reclaimed water customer, this restriction does not apply. Reclaimed water customers may water between midnight and 8:00 A.M. or between 6:00 P.M. and midnight as follows:
- Even-numbered addresses may water on Tuesday and Saturday
- Odd-numbered addresses or no address number may water on Wednesday and Sunday
For more information please download the 
Water Restrictions as of 09/30/09 or visit the Water Information page for detailed information. You can also contact Polk County Utilities main office at (863) 298-4100 and ask for Customer Service.