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MoCo residents, businesses encouraged to use water ‘wisely’ amid drought watch

Water supply remains stable, conservation efforts will help if dry conditions persist, officials say Montgomery County is asking residents to use and consume water wisely after persistent dry conditions resulted in a regional drought watch being...

Dan Murphy • •3 min read
MoCo residents, businesses encouraged to use water ‘wisely’ amid drought watch
Environment & Climate

MoCo residents, businesses encouraged to use water ‘wisely’ amid drought watch

Water supply remains stable, conservation efforts will help if dry conditions persist, officials say

By

Elia Griffin

June 4, 2026 11:58 a.m.

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    The Potomac River near Great Falls. Photo credit: Joseph Thompson for the Montgomery County Council

    Montgomery County is asking residents to use and consume water wisely after persistent dry conditions resulted in a regional drought watch being issued by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) on Wednesday.

    “While our water supply is stable, we’re asking residents to use water wisely,” the Montgomery County government said on social media Wednesday, linking to the COG  press release. “Simple steps today can help protect our shared resources if dry conditions continue.”

    A drought watch is an “early advisory stage” and calls for voluntary water conservation efforts including “wise water use,” the council said. If drought conditions worsen, the next step is issuing a drought warning in which water restrictions are highly encouraged, according to COG. The highest advisory stage is a drought emergency requiring utilities and jurisdictions to implement mandatory water use restrictions.

    “Our region hasn’t seen extremely dry conditions like this in about two decades when local leaders and COG first established a drought response plan to support coordination and communication regionwide,” COG Executive Director Clark Mercer said in the release.

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    As of now, the county’s water supply remains stable with an adequate supply in the Potomac River and backup reservoirs, according to the release and Montgomery County officials. Still, regional leaders are asking the public and businesses to reduce their water use and protect water resources.

    What water conservation can look like:

    • Indoors: reduce length of showers to five minutes, turn off water while brushing teeth and shaving; wash only full loads of dishes and laundry; and fix plumbing leaks.
    • Outdoors: monitor watering lawns and gardens; sweep sidewalks and driveways instead of using water to hose them; and avoid washing cars at home.
    • WSSC Water provides more conservation tips online.

    WSSC Water General Manager Kishia Powell said in the COG release that the water utility – which serves many residents in the county – is working with regional partners to monitor conditions and protect the region’s shared water sources.

    “While our water supply remains stable, now is a great time for all of us to practice wise water use. By making simple, voluntary changes in daily routines, our customers can save water and money,” Powell said.

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    Michael Nardolilli, executive director of the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin, also said in the release that while regional governments have prepared for droughts, it is still important to conserve water now before conditions worsen.

    “Our water supply infrastructure is well-equipped to handle drought,” Nardolilli said. “Nevertheless, it makes sense for all of us to use water wisely to conserve this precious resource.”

    According to COG, the last time a drought watch was issued for the region was from July 2024 to June 2025.

    This year, the region experienced “record-breaking” high temperatures and historically low streamflow levels from March to April, the release said. During that period, the Potomac River reached its lowest level in 130 years.

    In a Wednesday press release about the drought watch, the interstate commission noted that 40% of the Potomac River watershed – which spans Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia – is experiencing severe drought conditions

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    “Recent rains brought temporary relief from the area’s long dry spells,” Nardolilli said in the interstate commission’s release. “Since then, however, the rains have stopped.”

    Heading into the warmer and more dry summer and fall months, the interstate commission said it would continue to monitor the Potomac River’s levels and coordinate with local governments. The commission’s Cooperative Water Supply Operations on the Potomac department monitors drought in the area.

    Alimatou Seck, the department’s director of operations, noted in the interstate commission’s release the region benefits from a water supply system that includes reservoirs to increase flows in the Potomac River when needed. Currently, reservoirs are more than 99% full, Seck said.

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    Originally published at Bethesdamagazine