Current watering schedules, drought stages, fines, and authority info for 332+ US cities across all 50 states.
The 10 cities with the strictest current schedules.
Calgary council voted 10-5 to make outdoor watering limits permanent under Water Utility Bylaw 40M2006 — a response to feeder main failures and system leakage, not to drought.
By Fiona MacLeod ·
RDNO directors met the water minister on July 16 with two short-term emergency proposals, including drawing from Swan Lake into the Goose Lake system, as Stage 3 restrictions prove insufficient.
By Fiona MacLeod ·
Kamloops moved to Drought Level 4 on July 20, reducing lawn watering to one day a week. Drip irrigation is still permitted three days a week, and the city says a brown lawn does not raise wildfire risk.
By Fiona MacLeod ·
Metro Vancouver eased from Stage 3 to Stage 2 on July 16 after a bypass restored the First Narrows crossing. Lawn watering stays banned, but other outdoor uses reopen.
By Fiona MacLeod ·
The province has asked Okanagan residents to cut water use as flows fall in four watersheds of concern. Temporary fish protection orders have not been issued, but remain available as a last resort.
By Fiona MacLeod ·
Washington hit 102°F on July 4 — its hottest Independence Day on record — as a June 28–July 5 heat dome shattered East Coast records, strained power grids and drove ER visits to extreme levels.
By Claire Dunham ·
We compare the Rachio 3, Orbit B-hyve, Hunter PRO-HC, and Rain Bird ARC8 on the thing other reviews ignore: restriction compliance — plus the city rebates that can cover the cost.
By Rachel Mercer ·
How to judge whether it's safe to exercise outside in extreme heat: reading the heat index, timing workouts, hydrating right, and the warning signs that mean stop or call 911.
By Rachel Mercer ·
Heat exhaustion and heat stroke share early symptoms but demand very different responses. Learn the warning signs that separate first aid from a 911 emergency.
By Claire Dunham ·
Many states bar HOAs from fining homeowners whose lawns brown under official water restrictions. See which statutes protect you and how to respond to a violation notice.
By Claire Dunham ·
Two watering days a week is the most common mandatory restriction — and it's enough. Deep watering, the can test, cycle-and-soak, and smart triage keep your lawn alive when every drop counts.
By Marcus Webb ·
Drought surcharges make heavy water use disproportionately expensive. Learn how to read your rate tier, then cut the bill — outdoor water first, leaks second, rebates third.
By Claire Dunham ·