Lawn by Season
Level 2 Water Supply Alert - WSSC Conservation Request Active

Rockville Water Restrictions 2026

Montgomery County · Maryland

Published:

Restrictions Active - Level 2 Water Supply Alert - WSSC Conservation Request Active

2

Days/Week

Before 10:00 AM

Allowed Hours

$50 first · $100 repeat

Max Fine

Find Your Watering Day

Enter the last digit of your street address:

View full address schedule table
Address EndingWatering Day
OddMonday & Wednesday & Friday
EvenTuesday & Thursday & Saturday
Want an email when Rockville's rules change?
Reset Your Sprinkler Timer
  1. Press and hold the left arrow button for 2 seconds to enter programming mode
  2. Set current day and time first
  3. Set start time to your allowed hour (e.g. 8:00 PM)
  4. Set run time per zone (15–25 minutes for most lawns)
  5. Set watering days to your assigned day ONLY - deselect all others

Allowed Watering Hours

Before 10:00 AMAfter 6:00 PM

No outdoor irrigation between 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM. Level 2 Alert requests 10% voluntary reduction versus prior year baseline. No Sunday irrigation.

Still Allowed

💧 Hand Watering

Allowed with shut-off nozzle. Hours: Any day with a shut-off nozzle.

🌿 Drip Irrigation

Exempt from day-of-week limits. Must follow allowed hours.

Fines & Enforcement

$50 first · $100 repeat

WSSC issues $50 citations for first offenses and $100 for second within 12 months. Commercial customers face up to $500. WSSC's enforcement is primarily education-first at Level 2; escalation to mandatory fines applies if supply drops further.

Citations begin November 2025

🏠 HOA Rules During Restrictions

Maryland Code §11B-111.3 prohibits HOAs from enforcing lawn appearance standards that would require homeowners to violate utility-declared water shortage conditions affecting the county. WSSC's Level 2 Alert qualifies as the triggering declaration for Montgomery and Prince George's counties.

If your homeowners association sends a violation notice for a dormant or brown lawn during the current restriction period, respond in writing citing the applicable law and include a copy of the current restriction order from WSSC Water. Most HOAs will rescind the notice once they are made aware of the legal protections in place. If the issue persists, contact your county’s code enforcement division for assistance.

Why These Restrictions Exist

WSSC serves 1.8 million customers across Montgomery and Prince George's counties, the 9th largest water utility in the US. The primary supply is the Potomac River via the Great Falls intake; backup storage comes from Triadelphia and T. Howard Duckett reservoirs. Potomac River flow at Little Falls ran 22% below the 10-year April average as of early 2026. Duckett Reservoir is at 54% of capacity, triggering Level 2 Alert in November 2025. Montgomery County has grown 8% since 2019, adding stress to existing supply infrastructure.

Rainfall Deficit: Potomac at Little Falls –22% · Duckett Reservoir 54%

This deficit has accumulated over the current water year and represents a significant departure from historical averages for the Rockville area. Water supply reservoirs and aquifer levels are well below seasonal targets, necessitating mandatory conservation measures.

How to Keep Your Lawn Alive During Rockville Water Restrictions

11 tips tailored for Rockville homeowners during Level 2 Water Supply Alert - WSSC Conservation Request Active restrictions.

Tall fescue is the dominant lawn grass in Montgomery County, it tolerates WSSC's 2 days/week through summer heat when mowed high (3.5–4").

Mow tall fescue at 3.5–4 inches and leave clippings; the mulch cuts evaporation by 25%.

Use a smart controller with Mid-Atlantic ET preset; WSSC rebates cover $50 on WaterSense-labeled units.

Replace parkway strips with Mid-Atlantic natives: Little Bluestem, Echinacea, Black-Eyed Susan.

Drip-irrigate vegetable beds and fruit trees, exempt from the Level 2 schedule.

Fix leaks within 48 hours, WSSC offers free residential leak audits.

Convert overhead spray to rotary nozzles, saves 30% on Maryland lawns.

Skip scheduled cycles after any 0.25"+ rainfall from June to September.

Harvest rainwater, Maryland's 42" annual rainfall makes 500-gallon cisterns refill 10+ times/year.

Group by hydrozone, turf on one valve, trees on another, simplifies Level 2 compliance.

Track monthly use at wsscwater.com 'My Account', Level 2 targets 10% reduction versus prior year same month.

Rockville Water Restriction FAQs

What days can I water my lawn in Rockville?
Your watering day in Rockville depends on your street address. Addresses ending in Odd can water on Monday and Wednesday and Friday. Addresses ending in Even can water on Tuesday and Thursday and Saturday. You are limited to 2 days per week during the current Level 2 Water Supply Alert - WSSC Conservation Request Active restrictions.
What hours can I run my sprinklers in Rockville?
Under the current restrictions, sprinkler irrigation in Rockville is only allowed during the following hours: Before 10:00 AM, After 6:00 PM. No outdoor irrigation between 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM. Level 2 Alert requests 10% voluntary reduction versus prior year baseline. No Sunday irrigation. Watering outside these hours, even on your scheduled day, is a violation and may result in a citation.
What are the fines for water violations in Rockville?
WSSC issues $50 citations for first offenses and $100 for second within 12 months. Commercial customers face up to $500. WSSC's enforcement is primarily education-first at Level 2; escalation to mandatory fines applies if supply drops further. The WSSC Water (Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission) and local Montgomery County enforcement officers conduct patrols and respond to complaints. Keep your irrigation timer set to your assigned day and hours to avoid citations.
Can I install new sod or seed in Rockville during restrictions?
WSSC discourages new summer sod installation during Level 2 Alert. Fall installation preferred.
When will water restrictions end in Rockville?
The current Level 2 Water Supply Alert - WSSC Conservation Request Active restrictions in Rockville are effective from November 2025 Through Potomac River flow recovery (target: Fall 2026). However, the restrictions may be extended if drought conditions persist or eased if significant rainfall improves water supply levels. Monitor the WSSC Water (Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission) website for updates.

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