HOUSTON — As the summer from hell drags on, Houston is the latest Texas city to implement mandatory water restrictions. Houston Public Works said the lack of rain and triple-digit temperatures are contributing to low water pressure in some neighborhoods.
Here's a list of cities with mandatory restrictions.
City of Houston - Stage 2
Houston announced it will enter Stage Two of its Drought Contingency Plan with mandatory restrictions on Sunday, Aug. 27.
Outdoor water use must be limited to the hours of 7 p.m. and 5 a.m. with the following schedule:
- Sundays and Thursdays for single-family residential customers with even-numbers street addresses
- Saturdays and Wednesdays for single-family residential customers with odd-number street addresses
- Tuesdays and Fridays for all other customers
Residents who violate the water conservation order could be punished. For the first violation, you'll receive a written warning. All other violations are subject to a fine of up to $2,000.
According to the city's Public Works department, some residents have been experiencing lower water pressure due to the intense heat combined with the lack of rain. This has resulted in greater water use and dry soil, which is leading to an increase in water leaks.
City of Katy - Stage 3
The City of Katy moved into Stage 3 drought conditions with mandatory water restrictions on Aug. 14.
Residents can only water between midnight and 8 a.m. or 8 p.m. and 11:59 p.m. on your assigned day.
If your address ends in even numbers, you can only water on Sunday and Thursday. If your address ends in odd numbers, you can water only on Saturday and Wednesday.
On Tuesday and Friday, the homeowners’ association and commercial properties can water.
If you don’t follow the restrictions, fines can be steep. It starts with a written warning on the first violation. The second violation can result in a ticket with fines from $100 to $2,000 per incident. The City of Katy could also turn off your water.
Click here for more information on the city's plan.
City of Tomball - Mandatory
Mandatory water restrictions were put in place in Tomball in early August with the following rules:
- Watering with irrigation systems or hose-end sprinklers is prohibited from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Watering with a bucket or watering can is permitted at any time
- Water once a week: odd addresses on Wednesdays and even addresses on Thursdays
- Car washes (excluding commercial car washes) and filling swimming pools are prohibited from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Use of water for fountains or ponds prohibited (excluding ponds that support aquatic life)
City of Pearland - Stage 2
On Wednesday, Aug. 30, Pearland will enter Stage 2 of its drought contingency plan and activate mandatory drought restrictions.
- Residential and non-residential water customers are to limit outdoor watering to twice per week on the days that align with Pearland customers’ trash service days, prohibited between 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Operation of ornamental fountain or pond for aesthetic or scenic purposes is prohibited.
- Use of water from fire hydrants is limited to firefighting.
- Water customers are requested to practice water conservation and to minimize or discontinue non-essential water use.
Any water customer who violates these restrictions is subject to a fine of up to $2,000.
Several exceptions from stage two restrictions have been identified to balance the practical needs of the community with conservation goals:
- Newly planted landscaping and/or sod
- Sports fields hosting league play
These Houston-area cities are asking residents to voluntarily conserve water.
Sugar Land - Voluntary
The City of Sugar Land issued a voluntary water conservation request and activated Stage 1 of its Drought Contingency Plan.
The city asks that residents limit watering their lawns to only twice a week from the hours of midnight to 10 a.m. or from 8 p.m. to midnight.
- Residents with even-numbered addresses are asked to only water on Mondays and Thursdays.
- Residents with odd-numbered addresses are asked to only water on Tuesdays and Fridays.
The city also asks homeowners and businesses to operate irrigation systems manually and only when needed.
Officials said they are closely monitoring water conditions to determine whether/when to activate Stage Two, which includes mandatory water restrictions.
City of Missouri City - Voluntary
On Aug. 14, the City of Missouri City requested that all residents within the following subdivisions/associations restrict lawn watering to one time per week. The recommended maximum volume for lawn watering is 1” of water per week. The city said if lawn watering restrictions are not adhered to, tighter water restrictions may be added.
- Black Creek Village Homeowners
- Creekmont Community Association
- Dry Creek Village
- Estates of Silver Ridge
- Lake Shore Harbour
- Newpoint Estates
- Oakwick Forest Estates
- Olympia Estates Community
- Parks Edge
- Sedona Creek HOA
- Shipmans Cove
- Silver Ridge Homeowners
- Vicksburg Village of Cumberland
- Vicksburg Village of Shiloh
- Waterbrook Community Association
- Westpoint Estates
City of La Porte - Stage 1 but nearing Stage 2
The City of La Porte remains in Stage One Drought Conditions but they are nearing Stage 2 which would add mandatory restrictions.
While Stage One is voluntary, the city asks residents to adhere to certain restrictions including:
- Odd-numbered addresses:
- Lawn watering only between 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on odd-numbered days of the month.
- Even-numbered addresses:
- The same restrictions only on even-numbered days of the month
City officials said the golf course and portions of Little Cedar Bayou Park are using reclaimed water for irrigation, which does not affect the water system in La Porte.
Contact La Porte Public Works at 281-471-9650 if you have more questions or need more information.
City of Fulshear - Stage 2
The City of Fulshear moved to Stage 2 water conservation measures on Aug. 24.
- Voluntary but strongly advising to halt watering and/or irrigation to once every five days
- Voluntary but strongly advise changing the irrigation schedule to outside our high-demand hours which are 4 a.m. – 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.
- Voluntary but strongly advise reducing water usage inside your home/business
Click here for more information on the city's plan.
City of Rosenberg - Stage 1
On July 27, the City of Rosenberg entered Stage 1 of its Drought Contingency Plan.
That means residents are asked to voluntarily reduce their water usage. The city aims to reduce water usage by a total of 5% in this stage.
Residents whose address ends in an even number are asked to limit outdoor watering to Sundays and Thursdays from the hours of midnight to 10 a.m. and from 8 p.m. to midnight.
Residents whose address ends in an odd number are asked to limit outdoor watering to Saturdays and Wednesdays from the hours of midnight to 10 a.m. and from 8 p.m. to midnight.
Click here for more information on the city's plan.
City of Galveston - Stage 1
The City of Galveston requests that customers voluntarily reduce their water usage by 10% and limit the irrigation of landscaped areas with potable water to Tuesdays and Saturdays for customers East of 103rd Street, and Wednesdays and Sundays for customers West of 103rd Street. Residents are also asked to water landscapes before 10 a.m. or after 8 p.m. on designated watering days.
The city said the highest usage area has been on the island's West End. We ask that residents and second-home owners with automated systems adjust the automated schedule to less frequent watering throughout the week and for shorter durations to conserve.
City of Pasadena - Voluntary
The City of Pasadena is asking residents to voluntarily cut back on water usage:
- Avoid watering your lawn in mid-day.
- Check for leaks in your sprinkler system.
- Avoid washing your car at home until conditions improve.
- Immediately report waterline breaks to the Mayor's Action Line at (713) 475-5555.
City of West University Place - Stage 2
West U has activated Stage 2, voluntary water use restrictions, of our Drought Contingency Plan.
City of Houston’s Stage 2 consists of mandatory restrictions. These restrictions do not apply to City of West University Place residents.
We are asking residents to conserve water and help us manage the water demand by following these easy steps.
At this time we request residents restrict their outside watering. Daily watering is permitted, but it is recommended to only water between the hours of 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.
Click here for more information on the city's plan.