Polk County Residents Endured 'Extreme' Water Restrictions for Three Months in 2026

Polk County residents faced significant changes to their daily routines earlier this year as Phase III 'Extreme' Water Shortage Restrictions went into effect. These measures, which began on April 3, 2026, and concluded on July 1, 2026, aimed to combat a severe water shortage across the county.

Understanding Phase III Restrictions

The Phase III restrictions limited lawn watering to once per week. This rule applied to all water sources, including potable water and private wells. Properties less than two acres in size could water their lawns between 12:01 a.m. and 4:00 a.m., or from 8:00 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. Properties larger than two acres followed the same watering schedule. The designated watering days depended on the last digit of a property's address: addresses ending in 0-1 watered on Monday, and those ending in 2-3 watered on Tuesday.

Beyond Landscaping: Other Water Use Changes

The restrictions extended beyond lawn care. Low-volume watering of plants and shrubs, such as micro-irrigation, soaker hoses, or hand watering, was permitted any day but only before 8:00 a.m. or after 6:00 p.m.

Homeowners Associations (HOAs) and other entities could not enforce rules requiring increased water use. This included mandates for replacing plant material to meet aesthetic standards or pressure washing. Car washing at home was only allowed on a property's designated lawn watering day, and residents had to use a hose with a shutoff nozzle. Aesthetic fountains were limited to four hours of operation per day. Restaurants also had to adjust their practices, serving water only upon customer request.

Community Impact and Compliance

The restrictions, in place for nearly three months, required a collective effort from Polk County residents to conserve water. The measures impacted various aspects of daily life, from garden maintenance to dining out, underscoring the severity of the water shortage the county experienced.