La Plata residents could soon be told which days they can water their lawns, and that they can’t fill a swimming pool, whenever the town’s water supply runs tight.
The La Plata Planning Commission voted unanimously Oct. 6 to send the town’s proposed water conservation ordinance, zoning text amendment ZTA 03-2026, to the Town Council with a recommendation to approve it. No one from the public spoke at the hearing, and staff said no written comments had been received.
Here is what the ordinance would do, based on the staff presentation at the hearing.
Why the town is doing this
The Maryland Department of the Environment has told La Plata that its groundwater permit will not be expanded, Planning Director Don Dooley told the commission. The town is responding with a three-part plan: adequate public facilities standards for water, sewer, school seats and roads, which are already adopted; a supplemental water agreement with Charles County, which is being negotiated; and this conservation ordinance.
When an alert kicks in
The town manager could declare a water conservation alert when either of these happens:
- The town’s water production reaches 90% of its permitted capacity for three days in a row.
- The state declares a drought emergency.
The rules below apply only while an alert is in effect.
Lawns and gardens
- Odd-even watering. Outdoor watering follows an odd and even day schedule based on the property’s street address. Properties without a numbered address default to even days.
- No automatic sprinklers, with limited exceptions spelled out in the ordinance.
- New sod and seed can be watered for up to 30 days if the planting meets the town’s drought-tolerant standards.
- Graywater, reclaimed water and stormwater reuse systems are exempt if they are verified to use nonpotable water and meet plumbing and health rules.
Pools and hot tubs
Filling or refilling a swimming pool or hot tub would be banned during an alert. Topping off a pool to protect its pump and filter would still be allowed. Homeowners association, public and commercial pools would have to notify the town before making major changes to their water volume.
Businesses
- Car washes would have to cut their use of drinking water by 10%. Washes that recycle at least 70% of their water with certified systems would count as compliant if they can show the systems work. Others would need an approved water reduction plan.
- Large commercial, industrial and institutional users that miss their required cuts would get a notice of noncompliance. They would then have 15 days to submit a water conservation plan, and the town would have 10 business days to respond.
New landscaping
The ordinance also changes the town’s landscaping code for new development. Ground cover would have to fully fill planted areas, dead plants would have to be replaced after an alert ends, and some native ornamental trees could be substituted for shade trees.
A provision on data centers was dropped from an earlier draft because none are permitted in La Plata, Dooley said.
Enforcement and exemptions
A violation would start with a written warning and 48 hours to fix the problem. If it isn’t fixed, the town could issue municipal infraction fines. Dooley said the approach “emphasizes compliance over punishment.”
Property owners could ask for a hardship exemption. If the town manager denies it, the owner could appeal to the Board of Appeals. An exemption could not override drought restrictions issued by the state.
How often could this happen?
Commissioner Kyle Miller asked how many days over the past year the 90% trigger would likely have been reached. Dooley said staff had not looked at that. Miller also asked whether the town could post where it stands against the limit, and Dooley said staff would be glad to share more information in the town newsletter and on its website.
Commissioner Emily Whale said Maryland has been under a drought warning for 145 days in 2026 without state water-use restrictions. The town’s own capacity trigger could still set off an alert even when the state has not acted, the commission was told.
The commission also added language to its resolution urging the council to pair the ordinance with a public education program. The town attorney has reviewed the ordinance and found it legally sufficient, Dooley said.
Water supply is a growing concern across Charles County. Earlier this month, a resident questioned the county’s reliance on WSSC water.
The ordinance now goes to the La Plata Town Council for a final decision.
