The Winter Haven Water Department offers a tool kit full of programs, incentives, and rebates to help you save money and water!

Learn About Your Water Supply

In the City of Winter Haven, we receive our drinking water supply from the Floridan Aquifer. Which is right below our feet! On average our city uses 10 million gallons of water a day for consumption and irrigation. Watch this quick video below for more information about our Aquifer!

Visit the Southwest Florida Water Management Districts website for Water 101: The Aquifer.

Get to Know Your Irrigation System

In Winter Haven roughly 38% of our drinking water supply goes to lawns and landscapes. We offer an irrigation education program to all residents who have an inground irrigation system. During your appointment, you will become comfortable with using your irrigation timer, learn about Winter Haven's watering days, as well as check over your system to make sure it is free of broken sprinkler heads and leaks!

Why is Water Conservation Important?

Conservation Saves Money for You & Your Community

Limiting indoor and outdoor water use will reduce your monthly bill. Your community will also save money on pumping and treating water before and after use, and this will delay large costs of the additional alternative water supplies and treatment facilities that will be needed in the future.

Water conservation can positively affect the reliability of your water supplies during periods of high demand (such as summer months) and during drought. The future of Winter Haven depends greatly upon the availability of water for generations to come. Water conservation is one of the surest, cheapest ways to ensure that future.

Check List of Ways to Save

• Start by checking your water bill! If you are using more than 8,000 gallons of water every month, call our Water Conservation Specialist today!
• Change those water-thirsty lawns into Florida-friendly landscapes. This will not only save water and money, but it can reduce the amount of pollution entering our waterways, increase water recharge, and create habitat for butterflies and other wildlife. For more information, visit the Florida-Friendly Landscapes website.
• Ask about the rebates that we offer for those who qualify. 
• Conservation Related Events: Next Event TBD

Lawn Watering Days and Times

Important Notice

Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) has declared a Modified Phase II Water Shortage Order in our region beginning February 8th, 2026.

What does this mean?

SWFWMD, by state law, must monitor and respond to drought and other regional water shortage events. Our region is showing indications of drought, and each water utility in the Polk County region is being asked to spread the word on the vital importance of water conservation during these times through education and enforcement of irrigation schedules. 

How can you help?

Follow the enforced water schedule below.

Schedule and irrigation education appointment with our Water Conservation Specialist.

• Lawn watering is limited to no more than once per week.
• Addresses ending with a 0 or 1 may water on Monday.
• Addresses ending with a 2 or 3 may water on Tuesday.
• Address ending with a 4 or 5 may water on Wednesday.
• Addresses ending with a 6 or 7 may water on Thursday.
• Addresses ending with an 8 or 9 may water on Friday.
• Locations without a discernible address, such as rights-of-way and common areas inside a subdivision, may water on Friday.
• Hand watering and micro-irrigation of plants (other than lawns) can be done on any day and at any time.

Properties under two (2) acres in size may only water before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m. and properties two (2) acres or larger may only water before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m.

New Lawns and Plants

• New lawns and plants have a "30-30" establishment period.
• On the day of installation, watering is allowed on any day at any time.-
• During the first 30 days, watering is allowed on any day during the allowable hours.
• During the second 30 days, watering is allowed three days per week: even-numbered addresses may water on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday; odd-numbered addresses may water Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday; and locations without a discernible address may water on Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday.

Reuse Water

Although the use of reclaimed water is subject to voluntary watering hours, The City of Winter Haven considers this a valuable water resource. Please help us conserve the reuse water supply by limiting watering days to one day per week and at the coolest part of the day. 

Fountains, Car Washing & Pressure Washing

• Car washing at home (non-commercial) is only allowed on your lawn watering day and you must you a hose with a shut-off nozzle
• Annual pressure washing or in preparation for painting and sealing is allowed
• Aesthetic fountains are limited to eight hours a day

Thank you for doing your part to conserve The City of Winter Haven's water supply, and do not hesitate to contact us with your conservation questions.