Responding to Drought

The Governor's Water Conservation Advisory Committee recommended the following actions for each drought stage.

Stage 1: Normal Conditions (Green)

MDE and public media implement a "Drought Index" public awareness campaign to provide citizens with regular updates about drought status (similar to Air Quality Index).
Media promotion of wise water use
Water systems develop and annually update drought plans as part of required Emergency Contingency Plans
Water systems develop ordinances for enforcing drought measures
Water systems initiate broad-based public education on water conservation
Water systems maintain accurate water monitoring and consumption records
Water systems monitor production on a daily basis and submit monthly reports to MDE
Water systems determine unaccounted water loss and implement leak detection and repair
Water systems develop and implement meter installation replacement and calibration programs
Homeowners repair leaks and drips
Homeowners install water conserving fixtures during new construction and building rehabilitation
Government facilities evaluate water use, identify and repair leaks, and install water conservation devices where appropriate
Business and industry develop water emergency plans to reduce water use by 10%
Business and industry develop and implement water conservation measures

5% - 10% Reduction Goal

MDE advises public, utilities, businesses and industry of changes to indicators, and initiates Statewide or regional "Drought Watch"
MDE notifies municipal and county governments, and other appropriate agencies of drought watch status.
Drought conditions evaluated biweekly
MDE media office works with local TV and radio stations to issue frequent drought updates to public
Verify contact information for local drought coordinators
MDE and water systems provide public with water conservation tips
MDE will increase monitoring of any problems incurred by water systems
MDE website updated every 2 weeks or more frequently as needed
Utilities or local governments may impose restrictions more stringent than the state guidelines
Water systems activate Water Conservation Plans
Water systems aggressively pursue leak detection surveys and repair programs
Reduce water usage for main flushing, street flushing, and park irrigation
Business and industries activate water emergency plans
Homeowners, government facilities, business and industry should reduce water use for irrigation purposes

10% - 15% Reduction Goal

MDE notifies municipal and county governments, and other appropriate agencies of drought warning status
MDE and water systems advise public of changes to indicators and initiates Statewide or regional "Drought Warning"
Drought conditions evaluated on a weekly basis
Residences, businesses, and industry voluntarily comply with nonessential water use restrictions
MDE media office works with local TV and radio stations to issue periodic notification of drought measures, and to increase public awareness of water conservation
MDE continues to monitor problems incurred by water systems
MDE website updated weekly
Utilities or local governments may impose restrictions more stringent than the state guidelines
Water systems actively implement water conservation measures
Water systems individually contact industrial users to reduce water usage
Water systems discontinue flushing water lines, fire hydrants and distribution equipment
Facility managers for government buildings identify leaks and accelerate maintenance and/or repairs
Encourage business and industry to irrigate with treated wastewater in accordance with health guidelines

15% - 20% Reduction Goal

Governor declares a "Drought Emergency" by executive order.
MDE notifies municipal and county governments, and other appropriate agencies of Drought Emergency status
Drought conditions evaluated at least weekly
Implement mandatory restrictions on nonessential water uses
MDE media office works with local TV and radio stations to issue daily drought updates to public
Establish Drought Hotline
Utilities or local governments may impose restrictions more stringent than the state guidelines
MDE website updated weekly or daily as needed
MDE and water systems notify consumers of severity of water shortage
Water systems conduct field surveillance of abuses, leaks, etc.
Local police and/or water systems execute enforcement of water conservation violators
Water systems verify availability of alternate water source or interconnection
Residences comply with mandatory nonessential water use restrictions
Business and industry comply with water conservation plans to reduce water use by at least 10%
Business and industry evaluate need for reduced hours of operation

Please contact the Water Supply Program at water.supply@maryland.gov or 410-537-3702