Rankin County, MS Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)

Rankin County's water supply comes from a mix of sources including the Pearl River and Ross Barnett Reservoir (managed by the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District), the Sparta and Cockfield aquifers accessed through private and utility wells, and smaller surface water sources. Major water providers include the City of Brandon Public Works, City of Pearl Public Works, Bear Creek Water Association, Rankin County Public Utility Authority, and several smaller rural water associations. Under the Mississippi Water Resources Law (MS Code Ann. §51-3-1 et seq.), MDEQ's Office of Land and Water Resources issues surface and groundwater withdrawal permits and may require mandatory conservation measures during declared drought emergencies. Historically, Rankin County has experienced only brief and localized water restrictions during severe summer droughts, unlike the persistent restrictions seen in western states. When restrictions are imposed, typical measures include odd/even address watering schedules, prohibition of watering between 10 AM and 4 PM to reduce evaporation, limits on lawn irrigation to two or three days per week, and bans on non-essential uses like car washing with hoses or filling new pools. Some utilities implement water-waste ordinances year-round that prohibit obvious runoff into streets and broken sprinkler heads, regardless of drought status. Brandon and Pearl residents should monitor utility notices for specific conservation orders.