King County water utilities, led by Seattle Public Utilities and the Saving Water Partnership, set voluntary lawn watering schedules and can declare mandatory restrictions during drought conditions.
Most King County residents receive water from Seattle Public Utilities or Cascade Water Alliance members, all part of the Saving Water Partnership. Standard guidance asks residents to water lawns no more than once or twice a week, early morning, with deep, infrequent cycles. During declared shortages, the regional Water Shortage Contingency Plan can mandate stage-based limits, including odd/even watering days and bans on midday irrigation. Cedar River and Tolt River reservoir levels drive the declarations.
During mandatory shortage stages, repeat violators may receive warnings, surcharges on the water bill, or, in severe stages, service flow restrictors; voluntary stages rely on outreach.
King County, WA
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King County, WA
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King County, WA
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King County, WA
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King County, WA
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King County, WA
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See how King County's lawn watering restrictions rules stack up against other locations.
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