Sign In
Free Newsletter
A May 14, 2026, drought status map from the Maryland Department of the Environment. (Courtesy photo)
Much of Maryland under drought warning
Much of Maryland remains in drought warning status, according to a May 14 update from the Maryland Department of the Environment.
“While there are currently no statewide water shortages or restrictions, three consecutive years of dry weather and recent lower-than-average rainfall mean voluntary water conservation by homeowners and businesses is encouraged,” the release states.
“Every drop counts when it comes to the smart use of water,” Maryland Environment Secretary Serena McIlwain said in the release. “We all play a role in protecting our water supply, our ecosystems and our economy. By voluntarily conserving water today, we can avoid stricter mandates in the future.”
Various Maryland communities have taken measures related to drought conditions.
Baltimore City, according to the state environment department, has issued voluntary water-use restrictions for areas served by its system. Those areas include parts of Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford and Howard counties.
Middletown, in Frederick County, had a code yellow on Thursday, May 14, for its online water conservation public alert system. A code yellow prohibits the watering of lawns and asks water users to practice voluntary conservation. The town provides a list of water conservation tips online.
The City of Hagerstown, which provides water to the greater Hagerstown area, uses the Potomac River as its water source. The city’s R.C. Willson Water Treatment Plant is near the Potomac in the Williamsport area.
City Utilities Director Nancy Hausrath said Thursday that the Potomac’s water level is typical for non-rain conditions. She said there are no concerns about the river’s level for the Willson plant to draw from.
“For private wells, voluntary conservation is encouraged statewide, particularly in shallow aquifers,” the state environment release says. “Farmers should consult with local soil conservation districts and the U.S. Drought Monitor to assess conditions and support water management strategies.”
The only part of the state that was marked as normal on the drought status map was WSSC Water service areas in southern Montgomery County and what appeared to be much, if not all, of Prince George’s County.
Much of Southern Maryland, extending north into the Baltimore service area, was listed in a drought watch.
The rest of the state was shown as being under a drought warning.
A “warning” means worsening conditions and increased coordination among state officials and water suppliers, while a “watch” is an early-stage alert for the state to monitor conditions more often and suggest voluntary conservation, the release states.
The main cause of the worsening drought conditions has been below-average rainfall for several months, according to the state.
The normal average is 4 inches of rain a month, and there has been about 3 inches of rain a month.
“This accumulating deficit leads to lower-than-normal groundwater levels and streamflows, causing impacts that recover slowly even with rain,” the state release says.
The Hagerstown area has received about 11.9 inches of precipitation as of May 13, according to local weather observer Greg Keefer’s website, i4weather.net. Normal precipitation through April is 12.61 inches, and through May is 16.85 inches.
Reducing water usage indoors
Maryland Department of the Environment’s tips for reducing indoor water usage include:
- Run dishwasher only when full.
- Defrost food in refrigerator rather than under running water. A running faucet uses about a gallon of water per minute.
- Use a dishpan or plug the sink when hand-washing dishes.
- Don’t prerinse dishes before putting them in dishwasher.
- Keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator rather than running faucet water until it’s cold.
- Check toilets regularly for leaks. A leaking toilet can waste up to 100 gallons a day.
- Do not use the toilet as a trash can.
- Replace old showerheads. Low-flow showerheads can save 3 gallons a minute.
- Take shorter showers.
- Turn off water when shaving or brushing teeth.
- Run full loads of laundry instead of a lot of small loads.
- Reducing water usage outdoors
MDE’s tips for saving water outdoors:
- Use a broom instead of a hose to clean decks, sidewalks and other paved areas. Five minutes of running a hose uses 25 gallons of water.
- Pull weeds to decrease competition for water.
- Increase mowing height to 2 in. to 3 in.
- Apply mulch to reduce evaporation and prevent weed growth.
Reporting by Julie E. Greene, The Herald-Mail / USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
