Polk County Utilities Fast Help: Pay, Call, Report, Start Service or Check Rates
Use this guide like a county utility desk. Pick the task, use the official Polk County route, prepare the right account details, and avoid slow-payment, wrong-provider, shutoff, leak, reclaimed-water or water-restriction mistakes.
Start Here: Choose the Exact Polk County Utility Task
| Searcher intent | Best official action | Have ready | Critical detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pay water/sewer bill online | Customer Portal or Ways to Pay | Account number, service address, amount due, payment method. | Quick Pay / one-time options exist. Save confirmation before closing. |
| Pay by phone | 863-298-4100 or 800-301-6039 | Account number and card/bank details if using automated pay. | Convenience fees apply. Payments after 11:59 p.m. post the following day. |
| Report water outage, leak or sewer backup | 863-534-7351 | Address, cross street, issue type, contact number, time started. | Official after-hours route for water outage, leak or sewer backup. |
| Open residential service | Residential application / Utilities page | Deposit, photo ID, service address, mailing address, start date, lease/electric-start proof if requested. | Only one primary name can be listed on the account; deposit is non-negotiable and not transferable between people. |
| Open commercial service | Visit / contact Polk County Utilities office. | Commercial application, authorized signer, business details, deposit. | Commercial deposits are accepted only at 1011 Jim Keene Blvd.; deposit can be up to 2.5× estimated monthly bill. |
| Stop service / final bill | Submit Termination of Services Request or call to check phone eligibility. | Stop date, forwarding address, service address, contact details. | County reads the meter on requested termination date, final charges are calculated, and deposit is applied to final balance. |
| Water quality / CCR report | Utilities Water Reports | Community/system name or address. | Polk County Utilities has 15 public water systems; use the CCR map if unsure which report applies. |
| Watering restriction question | Water Restrictions or call 863-298-4211 | Address number, property type, water source, irrigation schedule. | Modified Phase III rules use once-per-week watering and apply to wells and reclaimed water too. |
Provider check: Polk County Utilities usually serves unincorporated county utility accounts. Lakeland, Winter Haven, Haines City, Davenport, Bartow, Lake Wales, Auburndale and other cities may have separate utilities. Pay the provider printed on your latest bill.
Official Polk County Utilities Info Box
Office and mail
Polk County Utilities
1011 Jim Keene Blvd.
Winter Haven, FL 33880
Mail payments:
Polk County Utilities
P.O. Box 2019
Bartow, FL 33831-2019
Phone / fax
Customer service: 863-298-4100
Toll free: 800-301-6039
Fax: 863-298-4111
Auto-draft form fax: 863-298-4150
Hours and emergency
Office hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-4:30 PM
After hours: 863-534-7351 for water outage, leak or sewer backup.
Director: Tamara Richardson, P.E.
System facts: Polk County Utilities provides drinking water, wastewater collection/treatment and reclaimed water in some areas to nearly 68,000 accounts in unincorporated communities. The utility produces and distributes about 19.7 million gallons of drinking water each day, treats about 9.4 million gallons of wastewater each day and produces about 11 million gallons per day of reuse water for irrigation.
Pay a Polk County Utilities Bill: Best Route by Situation
Customer Portal
Use for online bill pay, Quick Pay, account access, automatic bank draft and recurring card payment setup.
Auto bank draft
No convenience fee. Uses U.S. checking account. Setup can take up to 30 days.
Use another method while processing.
Urgent / past due
Call first. Ask what exact method posts fast enough to protect service.
| Payment method | Official detail | Use when | Posting / fee warning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online Quick Pay / one-time payment | Use the customer portal and Quick Pay without creating an account, or log in monthly. | Routine payments and fast receipt. | $2.75 convenience fee per $500 transaction; maximum amount per transaction is $500. |
| Debit / credit card | Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover listed. | Card users who accept convenience fee. | If recurring card payment is more than $500, it will not be processed; contact customer service. |
| E-check | E-check is listed as a one-time payment method. | Bank-account payment without mailing. | Verify routing/account details before submitting. |
| Apple Pay / Google Pay / PayPal / PayPal Credit / Venmo | Listed as one-time payment options; Apple Pay is Quick Pay only. | Mobile-wallet users. | Convenience fee still applies. |
| Automatic bank draft | No fee; link checking account to utility account online or by paper application with voided check. | Best long-term late-fee prevention. | Initial setup can take up to 30 days and is not immediate one-time payment. |
| By phone | Automated payment line via 863-298-4100 or 800-301-6039. | Portal trouble or phone payment. | Payments after 11:59 p.m. post the following day; after 11:59 p.m. on due date may be late. |
| Polk County Utilities, P.O. Box 2019, Bartow, FL 33831-2019. | Routine bills with plenty of time. | Enclose bottom bill portion and include account number on check/money order. | |
| In person | Lobby and drive-thru at 1011 Jim Keene Blvd., Winter Haven, FL 33880. | Receipt, account questions, payment plus documents. | Open 8 AM-4:30 PM Monday-Friday; payments after 4:30 PM post next business day. |
| Drop box | 1011 Jim Keene Blvd., Winter Haven, and 330 W. Church Street, Bartow. | After-hours check/money-order drop. | No cash. Drop boxes checked once daily; payment posts by next business day. |
| Amscot | Cash payments accepted at Central Florida Amscot locations. | Cash payment route. | Bring bill; Amscot convenience fees apply. Payments after 10:59 PM post following day. |
Late Bill, Past-Due Notice, Disconnection and Reconnection
Late payment fee
Late payment fee is 5% of payment due or $6, whichever is greater.
Payments are due within 20 business days of the billing statement date.
Disconnection risk
Late fees occur on unpaid balance on the 21st business day. Disconnection may occur any time after the due date on the past-due notice.
Reconnection
Reconnection occurs after customer service contact and payment of past-due balance plus all applicable charges.
| Situation | Best action | Official fee / rule to know |
|---|---|---|
| Payment due today | Use portal/phone/in-person route and save proof. | Payment after 11:59 p.m. on due date may be considered late. |
| Past-due notice | Call 863-298-4100 before relying on mail, bank bill pay or drop box. | Disconnection can occur after the due date on the past-due notice. |
| Service disconnected for non-payment | Contact customer service and pay delinquent balance plus applicable restoration charges. | Less than 2-inch meter: $60 disconnection or reconnection; residential re-establish total fee noted as $120. |
| Large meter disconnection/reconnection | Ask for meter-size-specific amount. | 2-inch meter and above: $105 disconnection or reconnection; total fee noted as $210. |
| Same-day start/service request | Ask whether same-day fee applies and whether request is before 3 PM. | Same-day service during business hours before 3 PM: $60; after-hours after 3 PM: $80. |
Start, Stop, Transfer, Residential or Commercial Service
Residential start
- Completed application.
- Deposit for each applicable service.
- Photo identification.
- Service and mailing address verified.
- Lease/electric start date if requested.
- Nonrefundable processing fee.
Commercial start
- Commercial application signed by authorized signer.
- Commercial deposits only accepted at 1011 Jim Keene Blvd.
- Deposit may be up to 2.5× average billing.
- Business usage/capacity may be reviewed later.
Stop service
- Termination of Services Request Form required.
- Email/mail/in-person options or call to check phone eligibility.
- Meter is read on requested termination date.
- Deposit is applied to final account balance.
- Final bill/refund goes to forwarding address.
Move / transfer
- Use customer portal if you already have a residential account.
- Confirm old and new service addresses.
- Ask whether deposit transfers or final bill remains separate.
- Coordinate with closing/lease date, not just move-in day.
Deposit facts: Residential deposit amounts are based on previous service-address history and may be up to 2.5 times average billing. Deposit examples listed for next-working-day service include water $90, sewer $210 and combined $300; always verify current rate page before paying.
Rates, Deposits and Fees Users Search For
Rate date
Rates effective Oct. 1, 2025 are listed on the county rates page.
Annual increase
Water and sewer rates increased 6% beginning Oct. 1, 2024 and continue 6% yearly through 2028.
Surcharge
Alternative water supply surcharge increases $0.25 per 1,000 gallons yearly from October 2024 through October 2028.
Late fee
5% of payment due or $6, whichever is greater.
| Fee / rate item | Official amount / rule | Why user cares |
|---|---|---|
| New account, 3/4"-2" meter | $55 next-working-day service. | Common account setup charge range to verify before opening service. |
| New account, larger than 2" meter | $70 next-working-day service. | Likely commercial/large-meter account impact. |
| Residential deposit: water | $90. | May be required before service starts. |
| Residential deposit: sewer | $210. | May apply separately if only sewer or with combined service. |
| Residential deposit: combined | $300. | Common combined water/sewer deposit reference. |
| Commercial deposit | 2.5× estimated monthly bill. | Ask before opening business service. |
| Same-day service before 3 PM | $60. | Applies when start/field action is needed quickly. |
| Same-day after-hours service after 3 PM | $80. | Budget for urgent after-3 PM requests. |
| Premise visit charge | $60. | Ask if visit charge applies before scheduling. |
| Water audit / disputed meter reading | $75. | Leak checks first can avoid unnecessary dispute fees. |
| Reclaimed-water follow-up inspection | $75. | Relevant for reclaimed or irrigation service users. |
| Non-payment disconnect/reconnect, less than 2" meter | $60 each; residential re-establish total noted as $120. | Important for shutoff/reconnect accounts. |
| Non-payment disconnect/reconnect, 2" and above | $105 each; total noted as $210. | Large-meter customers should ask exact amount. |
| 3/4" potable/reclaimed meter installation | $800. | Useful for meter/service requests. |
| 1" potable/reclaimed meter installation | $1,075. | Verify before service-size changes. |
| 2" temporary hydrant meter | $250. | Relevant for construction/temp water users. |
High Polk County Water Bill: Leak, Irrigation and Reclaimed-Water Checks
Compare usage
Use the bill’s Consumption Data chart to compare month-to-month usage before assuming a rate error.
Check irrigation
Broken sprinkler heads, stuck zones and watering outside allowed times can raise bills and trigger restriction issues.
Free sprinkler check-up
PCU customers with an operating irrigation system may qualify if average use is at least 14,000 gallons/month over three months.
| High-bill check | What to do | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Bill line items | Separate water, sewer, reclaimed water, surcharge, public service tax, late fees and service charges. | Not every increase is usage. |
| Toilet leaks | Use dye/food coloring in tank; wait without flushing; color in bowl means leak. | Silent toilet leaks can run all month. |
| Irrigation timer | Run each zone briefly and watch heads, pavement spray, timer duration and soggy spots. | Outdoor water is a major Polk bill driver. |
| Reclaimed water | Check reclaimed zones and charges separately from potable water. | Reclaimed water can have its own charges/rules. |
| Pool fill / landscaping | Note new sod, pool fill, pressure washing or timer changes. | Helps customer service understand sudden usage. |
| Meter / continuous flow | Turn all fixtures off and watch for continued usage if safe. | Continuous use can point to hidden leak. |
| Sprinkler check-up | Apply through Programs and Rebates if eligible. | Can reduce irrigation demand and lower bill. |
Water Restrictions: Modified Phase III Schedule
Who must follow it?
All Polk County Utilities residential, business and common-area customers, regardless of water source.
Private wells and reclaimed water are also included.
Allowed hours
12:01 AM-4:00 AM or 8:00 PM-11:59 PM.
Properties under one acre may water during only one of those windows.
Questions
Call 863-298-4211 for water shortage order or irrigation schedule questions.
HOAs may not enforce standards requiring extra watering outside allowed days/times.
| Address ending | Watering day | Allowed hours |
|---|---|---|
| 0 or 1 | Monday | 12:01-4:00 AM or 8:00-11:59 PM |
| 2 or 3 | Tuesday | 12:01-4:00 AM or 8:00-11:59 PM |
| 4 or 5 | Wednesday | 12:01-4:00 AM or 8:00-11:59 PM |
| 6 or 7 | Thursday | 12:01-4:00 AM or 8:00-11:59 PM |
| 8 or 9, common areas or no determinable address | Friday | 12:01-4:00 AM or 8:00-11:59 PM |
New lawns/plants: first 30 days may water any day, but not within restricted times. Days 31-60 are limited to specific days: even address Tuesday/Thursday/Sunday; odd address Monday/Wednesday/Saturday; common areas Tuesday/Friday/Sunday, with written schedule maintained.
Water Quality, CCR Reports, Lead and the Floridan Aquifer
Source water
Polk’s water is pumped from the Floridan Aquifer, then treated before delivery to homes and businesses.
15 water systems
Polk County Utilities provides annual water quality reports for 15 public water systems across unincorporated Polk County.
Lead update
Polk County Utilities says all service areas were checked and no lead solder or lead service lines were found.
| User question | Official-source answer | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Which CCR report applies to me? | Use the Consumer Confidence Report map if unsure which system serves your area. | Search by community/region and open the correct 2025 report. |
| Which systems have reports? | Babson Park, Bradley Junction, Central, Country Class, East, Foxwood, Lake Garfield, Northeast, Northwest, The Pines, Southeast, Southwest, Timbercreek, Walk In Water and Waverly. | Use the report matching your service area, not just the county name. |
| Where does water come from? | Upper Floridan Aquifer source water is treated at facilities before reaching customers. | For taste/odor/pressure issues, report address and tap details. |
| Lead service-line concern? | 2025 project update says investigations are complete and no lead solder or lead service lines were found in PCU service areas. | For private well or home-plumbing concerns, contact appropriate health/testing resources. |
| Why did I get an unknown-material letter? | EPA Lead and Copper Rule required inventory where documents did not clearly show service-line material. | Watch for county letter/results and contact Utilities if uncertain. |
| Private well? | Polk County Utilities’ inventory does not include private wells. | Contact Polk County Department of Health for private-well testing information. |
| Boil water notices? | AlertPolk / FYI Polk can provide boil-water and water/wastewater disruption notices. | Register for AlertPolk or FYI Polk text alerts. |
Regional Water Use: Compare Your Household
| Polk County Regional Utility Service Area | 2025 average single-family residential use | How to use this number |
|---|---|---|
| Northeast Region | 221 gallons per day | Compare against your bill’s daily usage trend. |
| Southwest Region | 215 gallons per day | Outdoor irrigation may explain higher totals. |
| Northwest Region | 214 gallons per day | Review sprinkler schedules and reclaimed water. |
| Central Region | 182 gallons per day | Check actual household size and billing period. |
| Southeast Region | 161 gallons per day | Good comparison point for leak suspicion. |
| East Region | 139 gallons per day | Lower regional average; investigate sustained high use. |
How to read it: These averages are not your allowed usage. They are a quick comparison tool. If your bill is far above your region and household habits did not change, check toilets, irrigation, softeners, pool fill lines and possible leaks before disputing the bill.
Boil Water Notices, Outages, Flood Alerts and Text Updates
AlertPolk
Critical communications system for public safety threats, health safety notices, boil water notices and Utilities Division emergency issues.
FYI Polk texts
Text “Hello” to 888-299-POLK (7655) to start a chat and sign up for alerts.
Alert topics
Water/wastewater disruptions, boil water notices, road closures, flood alerts, garbage disruptions, shelters and sandbag sites.
Sewer, Reclaimed Water, Septic-to-Sewer and Future Supply
Wastewater / sewer
Residential sewer rates use a base charge plus a capped per-1,000-gallon usage charge. Commercial sewer rates use a base plus per-1,000-gallon usage charge.
Reclaimed water
In some service areas PCU provides reclaimed water for irrigation. Reclaimed-water rates use inclining usage rates.
Future water supply
PCU is working on alternative water supply and direct potable reuse pilot projects because inexpensive Upper Floridan Aquifer withdrawals are limited.
| Topic | Official-source detail | Why it matters to users |
|---|---|---|
| Septic-to-sewer conversions | PCU is planning projects to connect areas to central sewer and reduce septic impacts on groundwater and water bodies. | Property owners near project areas should watch for surveys and future notices. |
| Lake Pierce | Listed as an early area being considered; Lake Pierce is identified as impaired. | Property-owner surveys may influence future conversion planning. |
| Lake Clinch / Bay View Park | Also listed as early conversion area; officials are reviewing funding options. | Do not assume connection timing or cost until formal project details are issued. |
| Direct Potable Reuse | DPR treats reclaimed/highly treated wastewater to drinking water standards; Polk’s pilot is at Cherry Hill Water Production Facility. | Pilot water is not being introduced into drinking water supply at this time. |
| DPR tours | Residents, community associations, leadership groups and homeschool groups can request private tours. | Use official DPR page for tour request details. |
Locality, District and “Wrong Utility” Routing
| Area / search phrase | What it usually means | Best next step |
|---|---|---|
| Unincorporated Polk County | Most likely Polk County Utilities if the bill says Polk County Utilities. | Use 863-298-4100, portal, rates, forms and emergency line on this page. |
| Lakeland water bill | May be City of Lakeland Water Utilities, not Polk County Utilities. | Use provider name on bill before paying a county portal. |
| Winter Haven utility bill | May be city utility or county depending on service address. | Check bill header and service address. |
| Davenport / Haines City / Lake Wales / Auburndale / Bartow | Could be city, county, HOA, developer, CDD or community utility depending on subdivision. | Never assume. Match account provider and payment portal. |
| HOA / mobile-home / master-metered community | Water may be billed by property manager/HOA instead of direct county account. | Ask who holds the meter account and how usage is allocated. |
| Private well / septic | Not the same as Polk County Utilities water account. | Use Polk County Health/Building/Septic resources for well/septic issues. |
| Polk County Water Authority | That phrase can refer to Polk County, Georgia, not Polk County, Florida. | Florida users should use polkfl.gov and Polk County Utilities, Winter Haven office. |
Polk County Utilities Map and Payment Locations
Use this map for the official Utilities Administration Building at 1011 Jim Keene Blvd., Winter Haven, FL 33880. For mail payments, use P.O. Box 2019, Bartow, FL 33831-2019.
| Location / route | Details | Use for |
|---|---|---|
| Utilities Administration Building | 1011 Jim Keene Blvd., Winter Haven, FL 33880 | Lobby, drive-thru, commercial deposits, customer service, drop box. |
| Mail payment | Polk County Utilities, P.O. Box 2019, Bartow, FL 33831-2019 | Routine mailed payment with bill stub/account number. |
| County Administration Building drop box | 330 W. Church Street, Bartow, FL 33830 | Drop box payment; no cash; checked once daily. |
| Northeast Government Center | 200 Government Center Blvd., Lake Alfred, FL 33850 | General county service location; phone 863-534-4000. |
| After-hours emergency | 863-534-7351 | Water outage, leak or sewer backup after hours. |
| FYI Polk text alerts | Text Hello to 888-299-7655 | Water/wastewater disruptions, boil water notices, flood alerts and more. |
Official Links Used in This Guide
Polk County Water Utilities FAQ
What is the Polk County Utilities phone number?
Customer service is 863-298-4100. Toll-free number is 800-301-6039. For after-hours water outage, leak or sewer backup, call 863-534-7351.
Where is Polk County Utilities located?
The Utilities Administration Building is at 1011 Jim Keene Blvd., Winter Haven, FL 33880. Mail utility payments to Polk County Utilities, P.O. Box 2019, Bartow, FL 33831-2019.
What are Polk County Utilities hours?
Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The lobby and drive-thru at 1011 Jim Keene Blvd. use those hours.
How do I pay my Polk County water bill online?
Use the Polk County Utilities customer portal at billpay.polkutilities.net. One-time payments can be made through Quick Pay, or users can log into the portal.
What payment methods are accepted online?
The official Ways to Pay page lists debit/credit cards, e-check, Apple Pay for Quick Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, PayPal Credit and Venmo. Convenience fees apply.
What is the online convenience fee?
Polk County lists a $2.75 convenience fee per $500 transaction. One-time transaction maximum is $500.
When does my payment post?
Payments made after 11:59 p.m. post the following day. Payments made after 11:59 p.m. on the due date may be late and can result in a $6 or 5% late fee, whichever is greater.
Can I pay by phone?
Yes. Use the automated system by calling 863-298-4100 or toll free 800-301-6039. Convenience fees apply.
Where can I pay in person?
Use the Utilities Administration Building at 1011 Jim Keene Blvd., Winter Haven, FL 33880. The lobby and drive-thru are open Monday-Friday, 8 AM-4:30 PM.
Where are Polk County Utilities drop boxes?
Drop boxes are listed at 1011 Jim Keene Blvd., Winter Haven, FL 33880 and 330 W. Church Street, Bartow, FL 33830. Use check or money order only; no cash.
What is the after-hours emergency number?
For water outage, leak or sewer backup after normal hours, call 863-534-7351.
How do I open a residential utility account?
Submit the residential water and/or sewer application, deposit, photo ID and required service information. Polk County may require lease/electric start date verification, and each new account requires a nonrefundable processing fee.
How do I stop Polk County utility service?
Submit a Termination of Services Request Form by email, mail, in person, or call 863-298-4100 to see if you are eligible to terminate by phone. The meter is read on the requested date and deposit is applied to the final balance.
What is the late payment fee?
The late fee is 5% of payment due or $6, whichever is greater. Payments are due within 20 business days of the current billing statement date.
What are the current water restrictions?
Modified Phase III restrictions require once-per-week watering for Polk County Utilities customers, including private wells and reclaimed water. Allowed hours are 12:01-4:00 AM or 8:00-11:59 PM.
Where does Polk County Utilities water come from?
Polk County’s water is pumped from the Floridan Aquifer, treated at water treatment facilities and delivered through 15 public water systems in unincorporated Polk County.
Did Polk County find lead service lines?
Polk County Utilities says it completed investigations in all service areas and found no lead solder or lead service lines.
Is this the official Polk County Utilities website?
No. This is an informational guide. Confirm live balances, deadlines, fees, service status, notices and emergency instructions directly with Polk County Utilities or your latest bill.
30-Second Polk County Utilities Checklist
Paying: customer portal → $2.75 per $500 fee → $500 max one-time transaction → save confirmation → after 11:59 p.m. posts next day.
Emergency: water outage, leak or sewer backup after hours → call 863-534-7351.
Start service: application + deposit + photo ID + service address + possible lease/electric-start proof.
Past due: late fee is $6 or 5%, whichever is greater; disconnection can occur after past-due notice due date.
High bill: compare consumption data, check irrigation/toilets/reclaimed water, then ask about continuous usage or sprinkler check-up.
Water restrictions: once per week by address ending; wells and reclaimed water included.