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Water Restrictions
Current Water Restrictions
The City of Boerne is currently in Stage 2 Water Restrictions, effective Monday, August 7, 2023. Expand the menus below to learn about each stage of restrictions.
Water Restrictions Overview
The City of Boerne has four stages of water restriction measures that are mandatory for all Boerne Utilities customers. City ordinance allows for the issuance of citations for water violators with fines up to $1,000 per violation.
Review the Drought Contingency Plan for a full list of restrictions for each stage.
Stage 1 Water Restrictions
Under Stage 1 Water Restrictions, residential and commercial utility customers are required to limit the use of water for landscape irrigation. These rules also apply to reclaimed water customers.
Customers are permitted to use individual sprinklers or sprinkler systems for lawns, gardens, or other landscaped areas on ONE DAY PER WEEK as assigned.
- Watering is only allowed from midnight to 11 a.m. and from 7 p.m. to midnight on your designated day.
- Watering on weekends is not allowed.
- Watering by hand with a hose or bucket allowed any time.
Designated watering days are assigned according to the last number of the street address. If your address ends in:
- 0 or 1: Water on Monday
- 2 or 3: Water on Tuesday
- 4 or 5: Water on Wednesday
- 6 or 7: Water on Thursday
- 8 or 9: Water on Friday
Stage 2 Water Restrictions
Under Stage 2 Water Restrictions, residential and commercial utility customers are required to limit the use of water for landscape irrigation. These rules also apply to reclaimed water customers.
Customers are permitted to use individual sprinklers or sprinkler systems for lawns, gardens, or other landscaped areas on ONE DAY PER WEEK as assigned.
- Watering is only allowed from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. and from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. on your designated day.
- Watering on weekends is not allowed.
- Watering by hand with a hose or bucket allowed any time.
Designated watering days are assigned according to the last number of the street address. If your address ends in:
- 0 or 1: Water on Monday
- 2 or 3: Water on Tuesday
- 4 or 5: Water on Wednesday
- 6 or 7: Water on Thursday
- 8 or 9: Water on Friday
Stage 3 Water Restrictions
Under Stage 3 Water Restrictions, residential and commercial utility customers are required to limit the use of water for landscape irrigation. These rules also apply to reclaimed water customers.
Customers are permitted to use individual sprinklers or sprinkler systems for lawns, gardens, or other landscaped areas on ONE DAY EVERY OTHER WEEK as assigned.
- Watering is only allowed from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. and from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. on your designated day.
- Watering on weekends is not allowed.
- Watering by hand with a hose or bucket allowed any time.
Designated watering days are assigned according to the last number of the street address. If your address ends in:
- 0 or 1: Water on Monday
- 2 or 3: Water on Tuesday
- 4 or 5: Water on Wednesday
- 6 or 7: Water on Thursday
- 8 or 9: Water on Friday
Stage 4 Water Restrictions
Under Stage 4 Water Restrictions, residential and commercial utility customers are required to limit the use of water for landscape irrigation. These rules also apply to reclaimed water customers.
Lawn irrigation with sprinklers or sprinklers systems is NOT allowed at any time.
Customers are permitted to water other vegetation (not lawns) by hand-held hose, bucket, or watering can on ONE DAY PER WEEK as assigned.
- Hand-held watering is only allowed from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. and from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. on your designated day.
- Watering on weekends is not allowed.
Designated watering days are assigned according to the last number of the street address. If your address ends in:
- 0 or 1: Water on Monday
- 2 or 3: Water on Tuesday
- 4 or 5: Water on Wednesday
- 6 or 7: Water on Thursday
- 8 or 9: Water on Friday
- Why does Boerne Utilities have more restrictive rules than other areas?
- What is considered a water waste violation?
- How can I report violations?
- When will the drought end? Did the recent springs rain not end the drought?
- What are Boerne Utilities water production sources?
- How do restrictions from the Cow Creek Groundwater Conservation District impact Boerne Utilities?
- How does the City of Boerne’s agreement with GBRA work?
- Why does the City of Boerne impose water restrictions at times? If additional water is available, why aren’t we accessing it?
- What does Boerne Utilities’ water consumption look like in a typical year?
- Are conservation efforts working?
Report a Watering Violation
If you observe a watering violation, you can fill out an online form to let the City of Boerne know. The City will review the reported information and water meter data and inform a resident or business if they are in violation and issue warnings and/or fines if applicable.
Click here to report a watering violation.
How We Conserve Water
The City of Boerne’s current conservation program aims to reduce average annual per capita water consumption and unaccounted for water through the following methods:
Drought Contingency Plan
The City’s Drought Contingency Plan includes criteria for the initiation and termination of drought response stages, outside watering day designations, and penalties for violation of the ordinance.
Year-Round Mandatory Conservation
The City has in place a Year-Round Water Ordinance that prohibits landscape watering from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Turf Management
The City regulates the types of turf grasses allowed for new residential and commercial development. The ordinance also contains requirements related to irrigation systems, replacement of damaged turf, and requirements for depth of soil. Please see the information on Turf Management and Native Grasses.
Water Conservation Tips
Check out some of the tips and ideas below to learn how you can help conserve water.
- Turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth or shaving. Don't let the water run.
- Reduce your shower time by 5 - 10 minutes.
- Fix leaks in toilets, sinks, and washing machines.
- Water lawns only once per week and early in the morning to prevent water evaporation.
- Adjust sprinkler heads so they are watering the grass and not the pavement.
- Install rain shut-off devices on sprinkler systems to prevent watering during or after a rain.
- Use energy efficient appliances.
- Learn how to water for a Texas Landscape.
See more tips from the Texas Water Development Board.