AUBURN, Ala.- The Water Works Board of the City of Auburn is enacting a Phase II Drought Warning effective May 1, 2026, in accordance with the City of Auburn Drought Management Plan.

The Phase II Drought Warning includes mandatory water restrictions and surcharge fees for excess water usage. Phase II is being implemented after recurring monthly rainfall deficits and significant rises in demand from irrigation and outdoor water usage. The Auburn area has experienced rainfall deficits since late summer/early fall of 2025 and deficits have continued after a Phase I Drought Watch was declared on February 9, 2026.

“Our goal is to reduce demand by 20% so we can conserve our water sources during this extended dry period,” said Eric Carson, City of Auburn Water Resource Management director. “While we are expected to experience some rainfall in the coming week, it will take a significant amount to bring us back to a comfortable level. We thank Auburn residents for being mindful of how much water they are using and helping us protect this extremely valuable resource.”

The Phase II Drought Warning mandatory restrictions are outlined below:

• All residential addresses ending in an odd number are able to irrigate, if irrigation is necessary, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. All addresses ending in an even number should only irrigate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. No irrigation will be allowed on Sundays.

• All irrigation is to be limited to the hours between 8:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m.

• Washing of houses or paved surfaces is to be eliminated unless for public health or safety reasons.

• Eliminate wasting irrigation water by not allowing it to run into the streets and storm drains.

• Identify and repair water leaks in a timely manner.

• No residential car washing will be allowed.

• The City will reduce water use for street cleaning, main flushing and landscaping.

• All commercial car washes should evaluate equipment to recycle and conserve water.

In addition, a drought surcharge for excess water usage will be applied to all irrigation meters and single-family residential meters, including multi-family meters served by individual ¾-inch meters.

Surcharges for excess water usage are detailed below:

• A 25% surcharge will be applied to the current established rate for all usage above 3,000 gallons for irrigation meter classes per cycle.

• A 25% surcharge will also be applied to the current established rate for all usage above 12,000 gallons for a ¾-inch residential meter class per cycle. For example, for a residential ¾-inch meter the current rate is $4.17/1,000 gallons. With this surcharge in effect, that rate would now go to $5.21/1,000 gallons for usage above 12,000 gallons.

• The $5.21 per 1,000 gallons surcharge rate will apply to irrigation class meters for usage above 3,000 gallons.

Auburn Water Resources Management will continue to monitor lake levels, water demand and weather conditions and make recommendations as appropriate per the Drought Management Plan.