Lawn by Season
Stage 2 Mandatory – Effective May 6, 2026

Clover Water Restrictions 2026

York County · South Carolina

Published:

Restrictions Active - Stage 2 Mandatory – Effective May 6, 2026

2

Days/Week

7:00 PM – 5:00 AM (overnight only)

Allowed Hours

Per Town of Clover ordinance

Max Fine

Find Your Watering Day

Enter the last digit of your street address:

View full address schedule table
Address EndingWatering Day
Properties NORTH of Highway 55Wednesday & Sunday
Properties SOUTH of Highway 55Tuesday & Saturday
Want an email when Clover'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

7:00 PM – 5:00 AM (overnight only)

Stage 2 Mandatory rules in Clover: lawn and landscape irrigation limited to 2 days per week, 7 PM to 5 AM only, a tighter overnight window than most Catawba-Wateree peers (6 PM to 6 AM). Watering days are assigned geographically, not by address digit. Properties NORTH of Highway 55 water Wednesday and Sunday; properties SOUTH of Highway 55 water Tuesday and Saturday. Non-commercial vehicle washing at home is discouraged. Washing sidewalks, driveways, and buildings is prohibited unless required for public safety. Non-recirculating fountains, pools, and water features are limited. Restaurants are asked to stop serving water unless requested by the customer. Hand watering with a shut-off nozzle, drip irrigation, and soaker hoses remain permitted.

Still Allowed

💧 Hand Watering

Allowed with shut-off nozzle. Hours: Hand watering with a shut-off hose, watering can, or bucket is permitted any time outside the 6 AM–6 PM blackout window for landscape plants, trees, shrubs, and food crops..

🌿 Drip Irrigation

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

Fines & Enforcement

Per Town of Clover ordinance

Town of Clover enforces Stage 2 Mandatory under its Emergency Water Conservation Plan and Response Ordinance, which satisfies the SC Drought Response Act of 2000 (SC Code §49-23-10 et seq.). The local reduction target is 15%, more aggressive than the basin's standard 5–10% goal. Civil penalties are issued under Town ordinance; report water waste to the Town at 803-222-9495 or to TRU at 704-866-6714 (droughtinfo@tworiversutilities.com).

Citations begin May 6, 2026

🏠 HOA Rules During Restrictions

SC HOA law limits HOA authority to require actions conflicting with state or local drought emergency orders. CW-DMAG Stage 2 LIP supersedes HOA covenants requiring lawn watering outside the assigned schedule. Property Code §27-30-510 provides limited HOA protections during declared drought emergencies.

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 Town of Clover. 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

Clover, SC sits in York County's piedmont, west of Lake Wylie and north of Rock Hill, with roughly 7,000 residents and about 3,260 water customer accounts. The town maintains two elevated water tanks with combined storage of 350,000 gallons; main lines run along Highways 321, 55, and 557; the master meter is just north of town limits.

Clover is the only SC town in Two Rivers Utilities' (TRU) wholesale service territory. TRU is operated by the City of Gastonia, NC, and the Catawba-Wateree Drought Management Advisory Group escalated the basin to Stage 2 LIP on May 1, 2026, the first Stage 2 since 2009. On May 6, 2026 TRU upgraded Clover specifically to Stage 2 Mandatory under its Emergency Water Conservation Plan and Response Ordinance. Because Clover is on TRU water across the state line, its rules cascade from a NC wholesaler but are enforced under SC ordinance and the SC Drought Response Act of 2000 (SC Code §49-23-10 et seq.).

Stage 2 Mandatory rules in Clover differ from the standard Catawba-Wateree address-digit framework

  • Lawn and landscape irrigation: max 2 days/week, 7 PM to 5 AM only (NOT 6 PM to 6 AM)
  • Properties NORTH of Highway 55 water Wednesday and Sunday
  • Properties SOUTH of Highway 55 water Tuesday and Saturday
  • Non-commercial vehicle washing at home: discouraged
  • Washing sidewalks, driveways, buildings: prohibited unless for public safety
  • Non-recirculating fountains, pools, water features: limited
  • Restaurants: asked to stop serving water unless requested
  • Hand watering, drip irrigation, soaker hoses: permitted any time outside the daytime blackout

The local reduction target is 15%, more aggressive than the basin's standard 5–10%. The Town's higher target reflects its smaller storage capacity (only two elevated tanks, 350,000 gallons combined) and its dependence on a single wholesale supplier, both of which leave less margin during basin-wide drought.

Monitor Town of Clover (https://www.cloversc.org) and Two Rivers Utilities (https://www.tworiversutilities.com) for updates. Stage updates from the Catawba-Wateree DMAG are posted on the 1st and 16th of each month at duke-energy.com/Community/Lakes/Drought-Management-Advisory.

Rainfall Deficit: Catawba-Wateree basin escalated to Stage 2 May 1, 2026, first Stage 2 since 2009. Driest October–March on record; D4 Exceptional drought across Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Stanly, and Union Counties.

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

How to Keep Your Lawn Alive During Clover Water Restrictions

10 tips tailored for Clover homeowners during Stage 2 Mandatory – Effective May 6, 2026 restrictions.

Stage 2 Mandatory is in active enforcement in Clover, check which side of Highway 55 your property is on. NORTH side: water Wed/Sun. SOUTH side: water Tue/Sat. 7 PM to 5 AM only.

The 7 PM to 5 AM window is two hours tighter than other basin cities (which use 6 PM to 6 AM). Programme your controller to start no earlier than 7:00 PM and finish by 5:00 AM.

Hand watering with a shut-off nozzle and drip/soaker hoses are permitted any time outside the daytime blackout, prioritise mature trees and high-value shrubs over turf.

Tall Fescue (cool-season, common in Clover and the SC piedmont) handles summer dormancy well, allow browning rather than stress-watering.

Vehicle washing at home is discouraged under Stage 2; pressure washing of sidewalks, driveways, and buildings is prohibited unless required for public safety.

Clover's local reduction target is 15%, about double the basin's 5–10% goal. Cutting one watering night in three (use rain delay after any 0.5 inch of rainfall) gets you most of the way there.

Install a rain barrel, captured rainwater is unrestricted and is the simplest way to keep flower beds and vegetable gardens irrigated through Stage 2.

Mow at 90 to 100 mm through summer to shade the soil and reduce evapotranspiration.

Skip nitrogen fertiliser through September, it forces growth the lawn cannot support during restrictions.

Report water waste to Town of Clover at 803-222-9495 or Two Rivers Utilities at 704-866-6714 (droughtinfo@tworiversutilities.com).

Official Website →Call 803-222-9495

Clover Water Restriction FAQs

What days can I water my lawn in Clover?
Your watering day in Clover depends on your street address. Addresses ending in Properties NORTH of Highway 55 can water on Wednesday and Sunday. Addresses ending in Properties SOUTH of Highway 55 can water on Tuesday and Saturday. You are limited to 2 days per week during the current Stage 2 Mandatory – Effective May 6, 2026 restrictions.
What hours can I run my sprinklers in Clover?
Under the current restrictions, sprinkler irrigation in Clover is only allowed during the following hours: 7:00 PM – 5:00 AM (overnight only). Stage 2 Mandatory rules in Clover: lawn and landscape irrigation limited to 2 days per week, 7 PM to 5 AM only, a tighter overnight window than most Catawba-Wateree peers (6 PM to 6 AM). Watering days are assigned geographically, not by address digit. Properties NORTH of Highway 55 water Wednesday and Sunday; properties SOUTH of Highway 55 water Tuesday and Saturday. Non-commercial vehicle washing at home is discouraged. Washing sidewalks, driveways, and buildings is prohibited unless required for public safety. Non-recirculating fountains, pools, and water features are limited. Restaurants are asked to stop serving water unless requested by the customer. Hand watering with a shut-off nozzle, drip irrigation, and soaker hoses remain permitted. 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 Clover?
Town of Clover enforces Stage 2 Mandatory under its Emergency Water Conservation Plan and Response Ordinance, which satisfies the SC Drought Response Act of 2000 (SC Code §49-23-10 et seq.). The local reduction target is 15%, more aggressive than the basin's standard 5–10% goal. Civil penalties are issued under Town ordinance; report water waste to the Town at 803-222-9495 or to TRU at 704-866-6714 (droughtinfo@tworiversutilities.com). The Town of Clover (water from Two Rivers Utilities, Gastonia NC wholesale) and local York 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 Clover during restrictions?
Installation of new sod or seed is strongly discouraged during Stage 2 LIP. Variances may be available for newly constructed properties, contact the wholesale utility before installation.
When will water restrictions end in Clover?
The current Stage 2 Mandatory – Effective May 6, 2026 restrictions in Clover are effective from May 6, 2026 Until basin returns to Stage 1 LIP or below (reviewed 1st and 16th monthly). However, the restrictions may be extended if drought conditions persist or eased if significant rainfall improves water supply levels. Monitor the Town of Clover (water from Two Rivers Utilities, Gastonia NC wholesale) website for updates.
How do I know if my Clover property is north or south of Highway 55?
Highway 55 runs east-west through Clover. Look up your property on the Town of Clover map at cloversc.org or check your county property record at York County GIS. As a quick test: if you cross Highway 55 to reach downtown Clover from your driveway, you are on the SOUTH side; if you cross it to leave town toward NC, you are on the NORTH side. If unsure, call the Town at 803-222-9495 to confirm before setting your controller.
Why is Clover on a Two Rivers Utilities (TRU) schedule when Rock Hill, Fort Mill, and Tega Cay are on Rock Hill's?
Clover purchases its water wholesale from Two Rivers Utilities, which is operated by the City of Gastonia, NC. Clover is the only SC town in TRU's service territory, most TRU customers are NC towns in Gaston County. Rock Hill, Fort Mill, and Tega Cay all draw from York County water sources tied to the Rock Hill Utilities system, which is a separate wholesale arrangement under the same Catawba-Wateree LIP framework but with different operating rules. The result: Clover's restrictions cascade from a NC wholesaler across the state line, while the rest of York County's restrictions cascade from Rock Hill.
Why is Clover's reduction goal 15% when Charlotte's is 5 to 10%?
The Catawba-Wateree DMAG sets a basin-wide Stage 2 target of 5 to 10% regional water-use reduction. Individual utilities can set stricter local targets if their storage and supply situations warrant it. Town of Clover set 15% under its Emergency Water Conservation Plan because the town has only two elevated tanks (350,000 gallons combined) and depends on a single TRU wholesale connection, which gives less buffer than a larger system has. Stricter local targets do not change the Stage 2 schedule itself, they raise the bar on how much each customer is expected to cut.
What is the difference between Clover's restrictions and Gastonia's, since both are TRU customers?
The framework is the same, TRU's Drought Contingency Plan governs both, but Clover applies its own Town ordinance and the SC Drought Response Act of 2000 (SC Code §49-23-10 et seq.) for civil penalties, while Gastonia applies its NC Code Article 7 Sec. 14 ordinance. The watering schedule itself uses the same geographic-split logic (Gastonia splits east/west of US-321; Clover splits north/south of Highway 55) and the same 7 PM to 5 AM window. Clover's 15% reduction target is somewhat stricter than Gastonia's typical 5 to 10% Stage 2 framing.
Will Stage 2 affect Clover's swimming pool fills this summer?
Yes. Under Stage 2 Mandatory, filling new residential pools is restricted, and topping off existing pools should be limited to your assigned watering night within the 7 PM to 5 AM window. Non-recirculating fountains and decorative water features are limited. If you are installing a new pool, contact the Town of Clover at 803-222-9495 before scheduling a fill, the Town can advise on whether a variance is available for completed-construction fills.
I'm a Clover business with a commercial pressure-washing operation, am I exempt?
Commercial pressure-washing operations are not blanket-exempt. The Town of Clover Emergency Water Conservation Plan limits washing of sidewalks, driveways, and buildings during Stage 2 to circumstances 'required for public safety', for example, removing biohazards or graffiti, or preparing surfaces for safety-related repair. Routine aesthetic pressure washing falls outside that exemption. Contact the Town at 803-222-9495 before scheduling jobs to confirm permission for specific sites.

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