Charleston Water System encourages voluntary outdoor watering limits but does not impose mandatory day-of-week restrictions, relying on conservation pricing and drought stage triggers for enforcement.
Unlike many Southwestern cities, Charleston Water System (CWS) does not enforce regular day-of-week irrigation schedules. CWS encourages watering before 10 AM or after 6 PM to reduce evaporation. During declared drought stages by SC Department of Natural Resources, mandatory restrictions can be activated, including odd/even address watering or full bans. CWS uses tiered conservation pricing where heavy outdoor users pay sharply higher rates. Mt. Pleasant Waterworks and other suburban utilities have similar voluntary frameworks. Charleston's plentiful Edisto River supply has historically avoided mandatory restrictions.
Voluntary tier; during declared drought, fines $100-$500 for violating mandatory schedules. Repeated heavy use triggers conservation pricing surcharges on water bills.
See how Charleston's lawn watering restrictions rules stack up against other locations.
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