Water Shortage Stage II

Volumetric Rates ($ per 1,000 gallons)

The conservation rates in effect for Stage 2 are shown in the charts above. This chart is from our Rate & Fee schedule, which is published annually on our Rates & Fees page. 

To determine how these rates could be applied to your next bill, use our Water Use Calculators.

Tips for Residential Customers

The temporary Stage 2 rates only increase for excessive usage of more than 10,000 gallons per month. Most residential customers do not use this amount of water each month, unless they have a leak that is not repaired quickly, have a significant number of people in their home, or are filling a swimming pool.

Union County practices water conservation year-round, regardless of drought status. The type and severity of conservation restrictions vary, based on the current level of water shortage.  

This page provides transparent information about what to expect in a declared water shortage. For additional information, view the County's Water Use Ordinance in Municode. 

Union County's Water Shortage Response Plan calls for specific mandatory and voluntary conservation measures at five distinct stages of conservation levels, as shown below. 

The Water Shortage Response Plan also enacts higher rates for water usage starting in Stage 2. These rates are adopted and published annually in our rate ordinance; review more information about how our rates and fees are determined on our Rates & Fees page.  

"Essential Water Use" means the use of water necessary for firefighting, health and safety, and sustaining human and animal life. These restrictions mainly apply to residential customers (not commercial, industrial, or institutional). "Essential Water Use" is fully defined in our Water Shortage Response Plan.  

 *includes termination of service  

If you witness a potential violation of our water use restrictions, then we would welcome your help in ensuring that the customer is fully aware and compliant with our policies.  

First, encourage others to visit this webpage (UnionConserves.com) for guidance and helpful information about how Union County requires conservation year-round, and particularly in times of declared water shortage.

Because the days for irrigation usage vary by address - not by neighborhood or by town - your neighbor may follow a different irrigation schedule than you. For example, if your address is 100 S. Main Street and your neighbor's address is 101 S. Main Street, your irrigation days will vary. Please see the top of this page for the irrigation schedule.    

To report a possible violation of the County's water use restrictions, please use this form.   

Five Potential Stages

According to our Water Shortage Response Plan, Union County is always in one of five potential stages of water use restrictions: Stages 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4.

Our typical, year-round status - or Stage 0 - is our least restrictive stage. The chart shown at right indicates how each stage progresses from our year-round water conservation status in Stage 0 to an exceptional water shortage in Stage 4.

Long before a water shortage is declared, Union County Water's Planning & Resource Management team has been in consultation with regional and statewide partners. This team closely monitors drought conditions as part of their Water Resource Planning efforts. When necessary, Union County Water's engineers make recommendations about drought management strategies to the County Manager, who has the authority to declare a stage of water shortage.  

If the County Manager declares a change to the current stage of water restrictions, the change will be announced on the Union County Water website and the County website and the current stage will be highlighted on this page.

Information about all five potential stages is listed here for reference and transparency. Review the five distinct stages of water shortage and the associated restrictions associated with each stage below. 

Mandatory Restrictions for All Customers 

• Customer spray irrigation system use shall be limited to three days per week.
• Customers with even addresses (i.e. 1202 Main St.) may only use spray irrigation systems on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
• Customers with odd addresses (i.e. 1203 Main St.) may only use spray irrigation systems on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.
• No customer may use spray irrigation systems on Mondays.

Voluntary/Encouraged 

• Use flow-restrictive, water-saving devices and methods. Faucets should not be left running while shaving, brushing teeth, or washing dishes.
• Limit the use of clothes and dish washing machines to running only full loads.
• Inspect and repair all leaks and defective components of water delivery systems in any structures (faucets, toilets, equipment, etc.) in a timely manner.
• Reuse household water to water plants.

Mandatory Restrictions for All Customers

• Spray irrigation system use shall be limited to three days per week.
  • Customers with even addresses (i.e. 1202 Main St.) may only use spray irrigation systems on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
  • Residential customers with odd addresses (i.e. 1203 Main St.) may only use spray irrigation systems on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.
  • No residential customer may use spray irrigation systems on Mondays.

• The transport of water from within the County to outside of the County by tanker truck from a hydrant of the County water utility system is prohibited (exceptions for emergency fire protection and bona fide farm uses).

Voluntary/Encouraged

• Use flow-restrictive, water-saving devices and methods. Faucets should not be left running while shaving, brushing teeth, or washing dishes.
• Limit the use of clothes and dish washing machines to running only full loads.
• Inspect and repair all leaks and defective components of water delivery systems in any structures (faucets, toilets, equipment, etc.) in a timely manner.
• Reuse household water to water plants.
• Limit spray irrigation system use to no more than two days per week.
• Use spring-activated nozzles when watering lawns and gardens by hand with ahose.
• Limit residential vehicle, or any other type of mobile equipment, washing to your designated spray irrigation system use days

Mandatory Restrictions for All Customers

• Customers must limit spray irrigation system use to two days per week, and only between the hours of 12:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.
  • Customers with even addresses (i.e. 1202 Main St.) may only use spray irrigation systems on Tuesdays and Saturdays during the hours listed above.
  • Customers with odd addresses (i.e. 1203 Main St.) may only use spray irrigation systems on Wednesdays and Sundays during the hours listed above.
• The transport of water from within the County to outside of the County by tanker truck from a hydrant of the County water utility system is prohibited (exceptions for emergency fire protection and bona fide farm uses).
• Eliminate personal vehicle washing unless using a commercial carwash.
• Eliminate the filling of new swimming pools and fountains (exceptions for Essential Water Use).
• Eliminate public building, sidewalk, and street washing activities (exceptions for Essential Water Use).
• Limit construction uses of water (e.g. dust control).
• Limit flushing and hydrant testing programs, except as necessary to maintain water quality or in other special circumstances. 

NOTE: To encourage conservation, many of our water rates will increase during Stage 2. Please see the section at the bottom of this page about our Policies & Fees. 

Voluntary/Encouraged

• Use flow-restrictive, water-saving devices and methods. Faucets should not be left running while shaving, brushing teeth, or washing dishes.
• Limit the use of clothes and dish washing machines to running only full loads.
• Inspect and repair all leaks and defective components of water delivery systems in any structures (faucets, toilets, equipment, etc.) in a timely manner.
• Reuse household water to water plants.
• Use spring-activated nozzles when watering lawns and gardens by hand with a hose.

Mandatory Restrictions for All Customers  

• Customer spray irrigation system use shall be limited to one day per week, and only between the hours of 12:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.
  • Customers with even addresses (i.e. 100 Main St.) may use spray irrigation systems on Tuesdays only, and only during the hours listed above.
  • Customers with odd addresses (i.e. 101 Main St.) may use spray irrigation systems on Wednesdays only, and only during the hours listed above.
• The transport of water from within the County to outside of the County by tanker truck from a hydrant of the County water utility system is prohibited (exceptions for emergency fire protection and bona fide farm uses).
• Eliminate personal vehicle washing unless using a commercial carwash.
• Eliminate the filling of all swimming pools, hot tubs, fountains, and decorative ponds (exceptions for supporting aquatic life and essential water use).
• Eliminate public building, sidewalk, and street washing activities (exceptions for essential water use).
• Eliminate construction uses of water (e.g. dust control).
• Eliminate flushing and hydrant testing programs, except as necessary to maintain water quality or in other special circumstances.
• Eliminate the serving of drinking water from the County water system in restaurants, cafeterias, and other food establishments (except upon patron request).

NOTE: To encourage conservation, our water rates increase during Stage 3. Please see the section at the bottom of this page about our Policies & Fees. 

Voluntary/Encouraged

• Use flow-restrictive, water-saving devices and methods. Faucets should not be left running while shaving, brushing teeth, or washing dishes. - Limit the use of clothes and dish washing machines to running only full loads.
• Inspect and repair all leaks and defective components of water delivery systems in any structures (faucets, toilets, equipment, etc.) in a timely manner.
• Reuse household water to water plants.
• Use spring-activated nozzles when watering lawns and gardens by hand with a hose.
• Encourage industrial/manufacturing process changes that reduce water use. 

Mandatory Restrictions for All Customers

• No residential customer may use water outside a structure for any use other than a fire emergency.
• The transport of water from within the County to outside of the County by tanker truck from a hydrant of the County water utility system is prohibited (exceptions for emergency fire protection).
• All non-essential water use (including all residential irrigation, irrigation of commercial stock, and filling of ponds to sustain aquatic life) is prohibited.
• Require the use of disposable utensils and plates at all restaurants, cafeterias, and other food establishments.

NOTE: To encourage conservation, many of our water rates will increase during Stage 4. Please see the section at the bottom of this page about our Policies & Fees. 

Voluntary/Encouraged

• Use flow-restrictive, water-saving devices and methods. Faucets should not be left running while shaving, brushing teeth, or washing dishes.
• Limit the use of clothes and dish washing machines to running only full loads.
• Inspect and repair all leaks and defective components of water delivery systems in any structures (faucets, toilets, equipment, etc.) in a timely manner.
• Reuse household water to water plants.
• Encourage industrial/manufacturing process changes that reduce water use.