Water restrictions in Cincinnati, OH — also called the watering schedule, outdoor irrigation rules, or drought ordinance — set which days and hours you can run sprinklers or irrigation.
Greater Cincinnati Water Works (GCWW) manages water service for Cincinnati. Ohio does not impose mandatory year-round outdoor watering restrictions. GCWW may issue voluntary or mandatory conservation advisories during drought conditions or supply emergencies, but no standing watering schedule applies to residential irrigation.
Cincinnati receives its water supply from the Ohio River, managed by Greater Cincinnati Water Works (GCWW). Under normal conditions, there are no standing outdoor watering restrictions or odd-even watering schedules in Cincinnati. Ohio does not have a statewide lawn watering ban. However, GCWW has authority to issue water conservation advisories or mandatory restrictions during drought conditions, water main breaks, treatment disruptions, or other supply emergencies. During past drought events in the Ohio River basin, GCWW has issued voluntary conservation requests asking residents to limit non-essential outdoor water use such as lawn irrigation, car washing, and pool filling. The city encourages conservation best practices including watering during early morning or evening hours, using rain sensors on irrigation systems, and choosing drought-tolerant plantings. Residents can contact GCWW at (513) 591-7700 or visit portal.mygcww.org for current water service information and any active conservation notices.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
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