Grand Strand Water & Sewer News
Customer Response to Water Usage Leads to Lift on Drought Management Plan
July 30, 2026
Customer Response to Water Usage Leads to Lift on Drought Management Plan
CONWAY, S.C., July 30, 2026 — Grand Strand Water and Sewer Authority (GSWSA) has seen lower water use during peak hours across its service area since activating its Drought Management Plan on July 1 as severe drought conditions continue across the Pee Dee River Basin, which includes Horry, Marion and Dillon counties. As a result of customer response to water usage, GSWSA will be lifting the Drought Management Plan effective August 1, 2026.
The reduction in water demand is helping protect the region’s water supply while maintaining reliable service and fire protection throughout GSWSA’s service area. Excess charges will apply to monthly water usage exceeding 8,000 gallons. Although customer response has been encouraging, drought conditions remain in effect, and GSWSA is asking customers to continue limiting nonessential water use while altering irrigation patterns until the South Carolina Drought Response Committee lifts the current drought declaration.
“Our customers have responded as we hoped, and we’re grateful for their efforts,” said Christy Holder, CEO of Grand Strand Water and Sewer Authority. “While we’re encouraged by that progress, we ask everyone to continue to be mindful of irrigation patterns and conservation practices until conditions improve.”
Customers who need to irrigate should do so outside the hours of 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and avoid irrigating on Mondays. Odd house numbers should irrigate on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, while even house numbers irrigate on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday.
For additional water conservation tips and information about GSWSA’s Smart Irrigation Program, select the "Our Community" section within our homepage (www.gswsa.com) or call 843-443-8200.
