The City of York will implement Phase 2 of its Drought Response Plan beginning May 6, 2026, activating mandatory restrictions on nonessential water use after the Catawba Wateree Basin entered Low Inflow Protocol Stage 2 on May 1.
The action follows continuing dry conditions across the basin and is being coordinated with other local municipalities that draw from the same water supply.
What Phase 2 Means
Phase 2, classified as a restrictive alert, calls for voluntary reduction in overall water use, mandatory restrictions on nonessential usage, and limits on the times certain water activities are permitted. The city’s stated goal during this phase is a 20 percent reduction in overall water consumption.
City officials are recommending that residential customers voluntarily reduce household water use to a maximum of 300 gallons per household per day.
Restrictions On Outdoor Water Use
Under the Phase 2 plan, residents are asked to limit lawn and landscape irrigation. When watering is necessary, it should occur only during low flow hours between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m., no more than twice per week. Handheld watering devices are encouraged in place of sprinklers and automated irrigation systems where possible.
The city ordinance establishes a watering schedule for properties under Phase 2 conditions, with sprinklers and irrigation systems restricted to Wednesday and Saturday for odd numbered addresses and Thursday and Sunday for even numbered addresses. All landscape irrigation runoff is strictly prohibited.
Newly seeded or sodded lawns may be watered once per day for the first two weeks after installation, only between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m., and twice per week thereafter during the same overnight window.
Other Mandatory Restrictions
The Phase 2 plan eliminates a range of nonessential water uses, including:
- Filling newly constructed or drained swimming pools, water slides, or other water based recreational equipment, with limited exceptions for one time fills per drought period
- Washing of sidewalks, walkways, driveways, parking lots, tennis courts, and other hard surfaces, though licensed commercial pressure washing businesses are exempt
- Washing buildings, except for immediate fire protection
- Flushing gutters
- Maintaining fountains, reflection ponds, and decorative water features for aesthetic purposes
- Domestic washing of motorbikes, boats, and cars at home, with customers encouraged to use automated commercial car washes that recycle water
Commercial, agricultural, and individual customers face additional measures. Restaurants are asked to stop serving water unless requested. Scenic and recreational ponds and lakes will not be maintained beyond the minimum needed to support aquatic life. Golf course irrigation will be limited, and customers are encouraged to postpone planting new landscaping until the drought period ends.
Enforcement And Penalties
Customers who fail to comply with the mandatory restrictions will receive a written notice citing the date of the violation and will face surcharges under a tiered schedule.
For residential customers, a first violation carries a $50 surcharge, a second violation $100, and a third violation results in termination of water service. Service is restored only after payment of an additional $150 surcharge plus all previously assessed amounts.
For office, commercial, and industrial customers, surcharges begin at $100 for a first violation, $200 for a second, and a third violation triggers service termination with a $300 restoration fee in addition to prior surcharges.
City Response And Public Information
In a letter to residents, Utilities Director Matt Kennedy said the city will continue to monitor conditions and follow guidance from local and state agencies as the drought situation develops.
The city plans to provide updates through social media and its CodeRed alert system. Residents with questions can contact city utilities at 803 684 2341, and additional information is available at www.yorksc.gov.
The city is also required under its drought ordinance to provide written notification to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Drought Information Center each month regarding the success of the voluntary and mandatory restrictions, and to intensify maintenance efforts to identify and correct leaks in its distribution system.
Sources: City of York announcement letter from Utilities Director Matt Kennedy dated May 6, 2026; City of York Drought Response Plan ordinance.
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