Water Conservation
Who doesn’t like to save money and, in the process, save the environment, too? By applying for the programs below, you can save hundreds of dollars in rebates, improve your irrigation system and help preserve Polk’s water stores for generations to come.
Technology changes over time, even with household plumbing. Through Polk County Utilities’ partnerships with the Environmental Protection Agency and the Polk Regional Water Cooperative, we can upgrade to newer water-saving fixtures that can make a big financial impact.
Indoor Water Efficiency
On average, 50 gallons of water per day per person is used for cooking, cleaning, washing and other household functions. You can save water and money daily by making a few simple changes. See if any of our free items or rebate programs can help you save.
Free Indoor Conservation Kit
Leaks and antiquated fixtures can account for unnecessary water use and cost. Old shower heads can use up to five gallons of water per minute. New EPA WaterSense™ shower heads use 1.5 gallons per minute or less. Updating your fixtures and regularly
checking for leaks are great ways to conserve water.
Visit the Polk County Utilities Administration Building and ask for a free Indoor Conservation Kit. Each kit includes:
- Low-flow showerhead (limited number of showerheads available)
- Faucet aerators
- Toilet leak detector tabs
- Plumbing tape
- Directions
WaterSense Toilet Rebate Program
Like other fixtures and appliances, toilet technology has improved. Older toilets, depending on age, can use between 3.6 and 8 gallons of water per flush. Thanks to improved design, new toilets now use 1.26 gallons or less per flush.
By upgrading your porcelain throne to an EPA WaterSense-certified toilet, you can reduce the amount of water you use by more than 6 gallons and receive up to a $100 rebate. To apply, download the application for complete qualifications.
Must be a Polk County Utilities customer to be eligible.
Outdoor Water Efficiency
The average household uses more water for irrigation than for essential indoor use. That doesn’t account for water wasted due to overwatering, watering paved surfaces or broken sprinkler heads. Improving your irrigation system’s accuracy and efficiency will save water and money. Check out the programs below to improve your outdoor water efficiency.
Free Landscape & Irrigation Evaluation Program
The program is available to our high-volume water users (single and multi-family homes and commercial businesses) who average more than 14,000 gallons per month. Each free evaluation includes:
- Irrigation system evaluation with site-specific recommendations;
- Assistance with proper irrigation timer settings;
- Rain sensor and installation (if needed);
- Smart timer installation and a rebate offer if requested; and
- Water conservation kit.
Watch this video showcasing our Landscape and Irrigation Evaluation Program.
Must be a Polk County Utilities customer to be eligible and already have an operating irrigation system.
Save water and money by submitting your Landscape and Irrigation Evaluation Request today.
Are you curious on how much of an impact your irrigation has on your monthly water bill? Check out the Water Conservation Calculator from South Florida Management District.
Free Wireless Rain Sensor
Rain sensors—also called rain shut-off devices—are designed to interrupt the cycle of an automatic irrigation system controller when sufficient rainfall has occurred. They are small devices connected to the irrigation system controller and mounted in an open area where they are exposed to rainfall. Homeowners will be given a free wireless rain sensor to install.
Wireless Rain Sensor Application
Must be a Polk County Utilities customer to be eligible or check with your water supplier for programs.
WaterSense Smart Irrigation Controller Rebate
Smart irrigation controllers have built-in water saving features. Typically, smart irrigation controllers monitor weather, soil conditions, evaporation and plant water use to automatically adjust the watering schedule to actual conditions of the site.
The program is available to our high-volume water users (single and multi-family homes and commercial businesses) who average more than 14,000 gallons per month.
To take advantage of the rebate, the homeowner is responsible for 25 percent of the total cost of the controller. Those who meet all the qualifications for rebate will receive up to a maximum of $200. Must be a Polk County Utilities customer to be eligible and already have an operating irrigation system.
Smart Irrigation Controller Rebate Application
Florida Water Star $1000 Irrigation Offset Rebates
Requirements
- The home must be Florida Water Starsm (FWS) certified by a FWS inspector
- Home plans must include a permanent, inground irrigation system
- Water source must be from within Polk County
Builder Benefits
- Each certified home can receive $1,000 rebate, if funds are available
- FWS-certified irrigation and landscape accredited professional contractors are available to design and install systems meeting FWS criteria
- FWS program personnel can assist in building to specifications and referring inspectors
- FWS brochure designs are available and customizable with your logoReal estate sales professional training is available for assistance with selling your FWS-certified homes
Builders should contact Robin Grantham, Southwest Florida Water Management District, at (352) 796-7211, ext. 4779 to learn more about the FWS program and rebate opportunities.
Home Buyer Benefits
- FWS-certified homes save an estimated $530 on annual utility bills*
- Homes that have undergone an FWS inspection, ensuring the most water-efficient features are installed.
- FWS-certified homes save up to 48,000 gallons of outdoor water each year*
- Homes provide landscape designs and irrigation systems that yield better performance and superior quality
*Annual water and monetary savings based on estimates from U.S. Energy information statistics, EPA’s national average water costs and WaterSense calculator, UF/IFAS research and The Appraisal Journal.
Contact Polk County Utilities at (863) 298-4236 for more information, funding availability or to get started.
