Memphis's Water Use Rules: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles water use rules a little differently. In Memphis, Tennessee, there are 3 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Recycled Water Rules

Memphis does not run a citywide recycled-water purple-pipe network because abundant aquifer drinking water makes potable reuse unnecessary, but treated effluent from the Maxson plant is discharged to the Mississippi River.

Key details: Purple pipe: Not deployed. Treatment plants: Maxson and Stiles. Permit type: TDEC NPDES. Topic: Recycled Water.

No private fines. Industrial dischargers are regulated under separate TDEC NPDES permits enforced by the state, not by a municipal recycled-water ordinance.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Memphis gives residents more flexibility on recycled water rules.

Leak Reporting Duty

MLGW customers should promptly report visible water leaks on city mains and may request bill adjustments for hidden leaks behind the meter that are repaired within a reasonable period after discovery.

Key details: Reporting line: MLGW 24-hour. Adjustment: Available with repair proof. Risk: Full bill liability. Topic: Leak Reporting.

No code citation, but unrepaired leaks lead to escalating bills. MLGW may shut off service for nonpayment after standard collection notice procedures.

Lawn Watering Restrictions

Memphis sits atop the Memphis Sand aquifer, one of the nation's best groundwater sources, so MLGW imposes no routine drought-based lawn-watering schedule like arid Western cities, only voluntary conservation guidance.

Key details: Source: Memphis Sand aquifer. Routine restrictions: None. Utility: MLGW. Topic: Lawn Watering Restrictions.

No routine fines. Excessive use shows up only on the MLGW water bill. Drought emergency restrictions could trigger penalties if declared, but rare.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Memphis gives residents more flexibility on lawn watering restrictions.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Memphis gives residents more room on water use rules. 2 of the 3 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

These rules come from Memphis's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.