York County, SC Water Use Rules: Recycled Water Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Trigger
- County Manager declares Stage 2 mandatory drought
- Requirement
- Recycled water for water slides/water activities
- New pools
- Fillable one time per drought period
- Reduction goal
- 5% to 10% overall water-use cut
- 1st commercial surcharge
- $100 added to utility bill
Summary
During a Stage 2 mandatory drought in York County, water slides and similar water-based recreation can't keep running on fresh water. Section 54.04(C)(2)(b)4 of the county's Drought Response Plan requires 'recycled water must be in use for water slides and other water-related activities to continue operations,' and newly built pools may be filled only once per drought period.
4. Discourage water-based recreational activities that require filling newly constructed or drained structures such as swimming pools, water slides or other water-based recreational equipment. Reduce filling or maintaining public or private swimming pools to the minimal amount of make-up water necessary to maintain the structural integrity of the pool and the filtration system. Newly constructed public or private swimming pools may be filled one time per drought period. Recycled water must be in use for water slides and other water-related activities to continue operations;
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-49: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. 3925, passed 6-16-25).
Full Breakdown
04, and the recycled-water requirement kicks in once the County Manager and the county's wholesale water providers declare a Stage 2 'mandatory conservation' drought aimed at cutting overall water use 5 to 10%. 04(C)(2)(b)4, the county discourages filling newly constructed or drained recreational structures and limits topping off existing public or private swimming pools to the minimal make-up water needed to protect the structure and filtration system. A newly built pool may be filled just once during the drought period. Any water slide or comparable water-based recreational feature that wants to keep running during Stage 2 must switch to recycled water, or the operator is expected to shut the attraction down until the drought designation lifts.
The same subsection layers on related restrictions, including limiting residential vehicle washing to county-designated days and exempting professional pressure-washing businesses from the sidewalk and driveway washdown limits. 05: a written notice citing the date and circumstances, escalating surcharges, and eventual service termination for repeat noncompliance.
Violations & Fines
Operating a water slide or similar attraction on fresh water during a declared Stage 2 drought is treated as a mandatory-restriction violation under § 54.05(A). Commercial operators face a $100 surcharge for a first violation, $200 for a second, and water service termination on a third, restored only after a $300 surcharge, all added to the utility bill.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a water park operate during a York County drought?
How often can I fill a new swimming pool during a York County drought?
What triggers York County's Stage 2 drought restrictions?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in York County
Compare York County to another location·View the South Carolina water use rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.