Charleston faces drought, water restrictions looming

Charleston could move toward water restrictions if the Lowcountry’s drought deepens and demand keeps climbing. (abcnews4.com) Charleston Water System said on April 17 that treated-water use had risen to about 75 million gallons a day from a typical 64 million. The utility said there was no immediate supply emergency, but warned that a long stretch of heat and little rain could strain the system. (abcnews4.com) The utility draws from the Lake Marion-Moultrie system and a watershed it described as roughly 10 million acres, serving Charleston and other communities including Isle of Palms and Hollywood. State drought officials are scheduled to meet again on April 30. (abcnews4.com) (scdrought.com) South Carolina’s drought response system works in stages: the state committee sets county drought status, and public water suppliers use those recommendations when deciding whether to curb non-essential use. In practice, early restrictions usually target outdoor watering before indoor household use. (drought.gov) (scdrought.com) The pressure is building across the region, not just in Charleston. A federal drought update on April 16 said 96.83% of the Southeast was in drought, the largest footprint since the U.S. Drought Monitor began in 2000. (drought.gov) That same update said most of the Southeast was running 8 to 16 inches below normal rainfall over the past nine months, and South Carolina posted record dryness for September 2025 through March 2026. December through March is usually when the region refills soils, streams, and groundwater, but that recharge largely did not happen this year. (drought.gov) South Carolina Public Radio reported on April 19 that more than 97% of the state was officially in drought, with little to no rainfall expected in the following weeks. The state drought website says water-use restrictions can be recommended when conditions reach severe or extreme levels. (southcarolinapublicradio.org) (scdrought.com) For residents and businesses, the practical question is whether voluntary conservation turns into rules on lawn irrigation and other non-essential outdoor use. Charleston Water System has not imposed restrictions yet, but the next stretch of weather and the April 30 state drought review will shape how close the city gets. (abcnews4.com) (scdrought.com)