Polk County Utilities customers will be required to follow a once-per-week watering schedule beginning Sunday, Feb. 8, to comply with the Modified Phase II water shortage order issued by the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) on Jan. 27.
SWFWMD’s Governing Board issued the shortage order in response to a 13-inch rainfall deficit compared to the area’s historical 12-month average.
The once-per-week watering schedule 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 once-per-week watering restriction.
“Our county’s natural resources are currently under an enormous strain due to the lack of rainfall over the last year,” said Polk County Utilities Director Tamara Richardson. “Our staff are available and ready to help customers make the transition.”
Richardson encourages residents who need assistance adjusting their automatic irrigation timers to contact Polk County Utilities customer service at (863) 298-4100 for help.
Details of the once-per-week watering schedule are as follows:
• Addresses ending in 0 or 1 may only water on Mondays.
• Addresses ending in 2 or 3 may only water on Tuesdays.
• Addresses ending in 4 or 5 may only water on Wednesdays.
• Addresses ending in 6 or 7 may only water on Thursdays.
• Addresses ending in 8 or 9, along with locations for which an address cannot be determined (such as common areas associated with a subdivision), may only water on Fridays.
Watering hours under the new schedule have been modified to: 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.
Special rules are in place for newly established lawns and plants, non-commercial residential car washing, decorative fountains and low-volume watering. Also, homeowners associations (HOAs) may not enforce community standards that would require an increase in water usage. More details: www.polkfl.gov/services/utilities/water-restrictions/.
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 differ from those enforced by Polk County Utilities.
SOURCE: POLK COUNTY UTILITIES
