Water restrictions in New Castle County, DE — also called the watering schedule, outdoor irrigation rules, or drought ordinance — set which days and hours you can run sprinklers or irrigation.
New Castle County does not have permanent year-round outdoor water use restrictions. Restrictions may be declared during drought emergencies by utilities or the Delaware River Basin Commission.
Water service in New Castle County is provided by various utilities including Artesian Water Company and others. Permanent irrigation schedules or watering day restrictions are not county-mandated. During drought declarations by the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) or utilities, mandatory conservation restrictions may apply. The county's updated drainage code (Ordinance 22-030) focuses on stormwater quality and quantity management for development.
Violations of mandatory drought restrictions may result in fines from water utilities.
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See how New Castle County's water restrictions rules stack up against other locations.
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