Water restrictions in Milwaukee, WI — also called the watering schedule, outdoor irrigation rules, or drought ordinance — set which days and hours you can run sprinklers or irrigation.
Milwaukee Water Works has no mandatory outdoor watering restrictions thanks to Lake Michigan supply. Voluntary conservation is encouraged during peak summer demand.
Milwaukee draws drinking water from Lake Michigan through the Linnwood and Howard Avenue treatment plants, providing an abundant supply that has historically avoided drought-driven restrictions. Milwaukee Water Works asks residents to water before 9 AM or after 7 PM to minimize evaporation and peak-hour demand, but these are voluntary guidelines. During major water main repairs or contamination advisories, the utility may issue temporary boil or conservation orders for affected neighborhoods. Lawn irrigation systems must use a backflow preventer certified annually under Wisconsin plumbing code.
Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact Milwaukee code enforcement directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.
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See how Milwaukee's water restrictions rules stack up against other locations.
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