Water Restrictions

• Permanent Watering Restrictions

  Irrigation Days For Private Residences & Commercial Landscapes:

  Lawn (Turf, Sod or Grass) & Landscape (Garden Plants) Watering

  • Addresses ending in 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8 may only water on Thursday and/or Sunday
  • Addresses Ending in 1, 3, 5, 7 or 9 may only water on Wednesday and/or Saturday
  • Properties with no discernible address such as entry was and common areas may only water on Tuesday and/or Friday 

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  Rules to Follow

  • The two day a week schedule above must be followed.
  • Watering is allowed before 10 am or after 4 pm (but not both).
  • All automatic irrigation systems are required to have a working rain shut off device.
  • Variances are available, through the Southwest Florida Water Management District, if a property proposes an alternate irrigation plan (such as splitting a large property into two pieces and assigning a different day to each piece). Download An Application
  • Hand watering (with automatic shut-off device) or micro-irrigation of non-lawn landscaping is not currently restricted by day or times.
  • These restrictions apply to private residences and to commercial landscapes.
  • These rules apply to New Plantings:
    • New plant material may be watered out of cycle for up to 60 days for establishment (Keep a receipt for proof of new material, before and after pictures are also helpful). Here are the guidelines:
      • Days 1 through 30: May water on any day before 10 am or after 4 pm (but not both)  
      • Days 31 through 60: May water on the following days before 10 am or after 4 pm (but not both) :
        • Addresses Ending in 0, 2, 4, 6 or 8 may water Tuesday, Thursday and/or Sunday
        • Addresses Ending in 1, 3, 5, 7 or 9 may water Monday, Wednesday and/or Saturday
        • All locations without a discernible address (such as common areas and subdivision entry ways) may water on Tuesday, Friday and/or Sunday
    • A minimum of 50% the area being watered must contain new plants or sod.
    • New plant material may be watered at any time on the day of planting only.
    • Water before 10 am or after 4 pm (but not both).

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  All Water Uses

  On August 1, 2017 the Modified Phase III Water Shortage per Rule 40D-21 declared by the Governing Board of the Southwest Florida Water Management District expired.  On August 2, 2017 City of Lakeland Customers returned to the permanent Year Round Conservation measures listed above. 

  These restrictions apply to the use of water from public and private water utilities as well as the use of all wells and surface water sources (ponds, rivers, etc.).

  This is only a summary. All water users should review Water Shortage Rules outlined in Rule 40D-22 of the Southwest Florida Water Management District.

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  For Additional Information

  The Southwest Florida Water Management District has a toll-free line (800.848.0499) to provide answers to questions about water restrictions.

  Information on water conservation is also available on the Southwest Florida Water Management District Website.

• Car & Truck Washing

  Automobile washing is not currently restricted. Residents should be as efficient as possible, so water isn’t wasted.

  Using an automatic shut-off nozzle on a hose is required.

• Fertilizer & Pesticide Applications

  Watering in of pesticides and fertilizers as required by the manufacturer of the product is allowed on any day. Signs must be posted on the lawn and the date of the application must be written clearly on the sign (See sample below). These applications are not restricted to the appointed irrigation day.

  

• Fountains & Falls

  Runtime of fountains and falls are not currently restricted. 

• Lawn (Turf, Sod or Grass) & Landscape (Garden Plants)

  Watering Private Residences & Commercial Landscapes

  • Addresses ending in 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8 may only water on Thursday and/or Sunday
  • Addresses Ending in 1, 3, 5, 7 or 9 may only water on Wednesday and/or Saturday
  • Properties with no discernible address (such as common areas and subdivision entry ways) may only water on Tuesday and/or Friday

   

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  Rules to Follow

  • The two day a week schedule above must be followed.
  • Watering is allowed before 10 am or after 4 pm (but not both).
  • Variances are available, through the Southwest Florida Water Management District, if a property proposes an alternate irrigation plan (such as splitting a large property into two pieces and assigning a different day to each piece). Download An Application
  • Hand watering (with automatic shut-off device) or micro-irrigation of non-lawn landscaping is not currently restricted by day or times.
  • These restrictions apply to private residences and to commercial landscapes.
• Pressure Washing

  Pressure washing is not currently restricted.  Pressure washing should be conducted as efficiently as possible to adhere to the general restriction prohibiting wasteful water use.

• Sprinkler (Irrigation) System Maintenance

  Sprinkler systems may be run a maximum of ten minutes per zone to perform maintenance on the system. Each zone must be attended through the entire run time. Sprinkler maintenance is not restricted to the appointed irrigation days.  Sprinkler maintenance should be conducted as efficiently as possible to adhere to the general restriction prohibiting wasteful water use.

• Penalties for Violations

  Violations of these restrictions are a civil infraction punishable with fines up to $500:

  • First Violation: Written Warning
  • Second Violation: $35 Fine
  • Third Violation: $75 Fine
  • Fourth or More: Mandatory Court Appearance and up to $500 fine + court costs

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  Report a Possible Violation

  Please call City of Lakeland Water Utilities at 863.834.6295 or click here to report now.

  All reports must include date(s), time(s), and the nature of the possible violation(s).