On April 16, 2026, The Catawba-Wateree Drought Management Advisory Group (DMAG) announced the movement of the Catawba River Basin into a Stage 1 Drought.  On April 21, 2026, The CMD Board of Commissioners voted to move the Chester Metropolitan District into Stage 1 Drought as well.

In a Stage 1 Drought, CMD recommends that customers voluntarily reduce lawn and landscape irrigation to no more than two days per week. In addition, limiting watering to the early morning or late evening hours and hand-watering plants and shrubbery instead of using a sprinkler or an automatic irrigation system will also save on water.  Customers are also encouraged to reduce residential vehicle washing and washing down of driveways, sidewalks, and parking lots. Other recommended methods of conserving water include washing full loads of clothes and dishes, and repairing leaky faucets, pipes, or toilets.

The Chester Metropolitan District would like to thank its customers for their cooperation and understanding in helping meet DMAG’s water reduction goals of 3-5%.

The daily water demand Chester Metropolitan District experienced in April is within normal ranges.  We are not experiencing any supply or demand problems.