Due to extreme temperatures and continued high demand on our water system, the PUA is moving to Stage 3 watering restrictions starting on August 25, 2026.
We know Texas summers are hot, lawns dry quickly, and additional restrictions can be frustrating. We don't like imposing them any more than our customers like receiving them, but they are necessary to protect our water supply and maintain reliable service.
Under the PUA Drought Contingency Plan, Stage 3 may be implemented when the 20% reduction target established under Stage 2 is not achieved.
What changes under Stage 3?
Outdoor irrigation is now limited to one day per week from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. only. Assigned watering days remain the same:
- Monday: Residential addresses ending in 1 or 3
- Tuesday: Residential addresses ending in 2 or 4
- Wednesday: Residential addresses ending in 5 or 7
- Thursday: Residential addresses ending in 6 or 8
- Friday: Residential addresses ending in 9 or 0
- Saturday: Commercial properties, including HOA common areas and other large landscapes
- Sunday: No scheduled outdoor watering
The 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. window applies to automatic irrigation systems, hose-end sprinklers and hand watering. Permitted hand-watering methods include hand-held hoses, buckets or watering cans of five gallons or less, soaker hoses and tree gator watering bags.
Please adjust irrigation systems and automatic timers to comply with the new schedule.
New landscapes may only be installed if they can comply with the mandatory watering schedule. No variances to the Stage 3 watering schedule will be approved.
Why does irrigation affect our water supply?
The water used to irrigate lawns is the same treated drinking water stored in our tanks and used inside homes and businesses.
When irrigation demand is extremely high, water can leave our tanks faster than the system can replenish them. If tank levels become too low, water pressure can drop. A significant loss of pressure can require additional testing and a precautionary boil water notice to ensure the water remains safe.
Following the irrigation schedule gives our tanks time to refill, helps maintain water pressure and reduces the risk of service disruptions and boil water notices.
Why is watering only allowed in the morning?
Allowing irrigation during the evening and overnight can create a particular challenge. If large numbers of irrigation systems run while most customers are asleep, our tanks can drain faster than they refill, leaving the community to wake up to critically low or even empty tanks in the morning.
For that reason, Stage 3 currently permits irrigation only between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. Morning watering allows PUA operators to better monitor demand and tank levels and gives the system time to recover.
It is also more efficient. Watering during the hottest part of the day results in greater evaporation, meaning more water is needed to achieve the same result.