Pennsylvania DEP declares Drought Watch, Warning, or Emergency stages that trigger Philadelphia Water Department restrictions. Drought Warning prohibits non-essential outdoor water use, including lawn irrigation between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., car washing without shutoff nozzles, and topping off pools.
Philadelphia Water Department coordinates with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection under Title 25 Pa. Code Chapter 119 and the Drought Management Plan. Drought Watch encourages voluntary 5 percent reductions; Drought Warning mandates 10 to 15 percent cuts and bans irrigating between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., washing paved surfaces, refilling pools beyond evaporation, and serving water in restaurants except on request. Drought Emergency adds total bans on irrigation, car washing at home, and ornamental fountains. Outside of declared droughts, PWD asks customers to water in early morning or evening to reduce evaporation but does not impose calendar-day restrictions like California utilities. Stormwater fees encourage permeable landscaping year-round.
Violating PWD or DEP drought-stage restrictions during a declared Drought Warning or Emergency carries fines from 100 dollars per first offense up to 1,000 dollars and possible water-service curtailment for repeat commercial offenders.
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See how Philadelphia's lawn watering restrictions rules stack up against other locations.
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