Purpose
The purpose of the Drought Contingency and Emergency Plan (Plan) is to identify clear steps and strategies to reduce unnecessary water use in the face of drought and/or emergency conditions. Reducing use when water is limited helps ensure that water is available for the most critical needs and preserves human health and safety. The Plan affects all customers including bulk and wholesale customers. Read the full Deer Creek Plan here
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) requires that utilities of a certain size have a plan in place and give utilities authority to develop plans that meet TCEQ requirements, but which are also tailored to the utility's unique challenges and customer base (30 T.A.C. §288). We update the Plan every five years at a minimum, but we may update it sooner, as needed.
Current Drought Stage: 2
Levels of Restriction By Drought Stage
Typically, drought stages are dictated by weather condition thresholds. These thresholds reflect the degree of drought and its impact on the water supply. Emergency situations unrelated to drought are also covered by the Plan. When we are not in a stage, customers should adhere to the year-round watering schedule below.
Year-Round Watering Schedule
Landscape watering using in-ground or above-ground sprinkler systems is limited to two days per week from 7:00 am to 10:00 am or 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm. The last digit of your address determines your watering days. This schedule is in effect unless, and until, our Compliance team declares a drought stage which may have watering restrictions.
Sprinkler irrigation is allowed from 7:00 am – 10:00 am or 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm.
| Last Digit of Street Address | Designated Day |
|---|---|
| 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 | Thursday & Sunday |
| 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 | Wednesday & Saturday |
| Commercial & Amenity Sites | Tuesday & Friday |
STAGE 1 – Mild Conditions
The watering schedule for Stage 1 is the same as the year-round watering schedule. We will not approve variance requests and we may ask bulk water and wholesale water customers to reduce water use.
STAGE 2 – Moderate Conditions
Reduce landscape watering for residential and commercial properties irrigation with a sprinkler or irrigation system to once a week according to the following schedule:
| Last Digit of Street Address | Designated Day |
|---|---|
| 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 | Thursday |
| 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 | Saturday |
| Commercial & Amenity Sites | Tuesday |
STAGE 3 – Severe Conditions
Customers must do all landscape watering and irrigation, including drip, soaker hose, and hand watering either between 7:00 am – 10:00 am or 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm in accordance with the once-weekly Stage 2 schedule.
STAGE 4 – Critical Conditions
Rules prohibit outside water use, except for uses necessary to sustain livestock. We will notify customers and necessary officials of what to do.
Reporting Water Restriction Violations
Report a water restriction violation here. SJWTX will notify the customer potentially in violation and provide additional information about the rules in the Plan.
Enforcement
SJWTX may enact the following penalties for violations of the restriction requirements:
First Violation:
SJWTX will issue a written warning and make contact to ensure the customer is aware of the year-round rules and knows their assigned day.
Second Violation:
SJWTX will issue a formal violation letter and may install a flow restrictor in the customer’s service line. The cost of the flow restrictor installation is the responsibility of the customer. The cost incurred shall be the actual cost to do the work, not to exceed $100.00.*
Third and Subsequent Violations:
SJWTX will issue formal violation letters and may install a flow restrictor in the customer’s service line if one is not already in place. The cost of the flow restrictor installation is the responsibility of the customer. The cost incurred shall be the actual cost to do the work, not to exceed $100.00. SJWTX may terminate service for up to 7 consecutive days and charge the most current reconnection fee to restore service.
Variance Requests
Customers needing to water outside of their designated water times should complete and return a variance application. Variances allow daily watering between the hours of 7:00 – 10:00 am or 7:00 – 10:00 pm for up to two weeks. SJWTX typically approves variances as long as we have a record of current backflow device inspections and completed customer service inspections. Learn more about the importance of cross-connection and backflow prevention here.
SJWTX issues variances only while year-round watering rules are in place and never while under a declared drought or emergency stage. Variances are not permitted to violate any other rules in the Plan, and violations may result in the immediate revocation of the variance.
Drip irrigation and soaker hoses do not require a variance – you may use drip irrigation, a soaker hose, or hand-water any day of the week.
Cross-Connection Control and Backflow Prevention Program
This Program safeguard protects the health and safety of customers by preventing cross-contamination from cross-connections that could allow backflow into the public water distribution system. See more about cross-connection and backflow prevention here.