Purpose
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.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) requires that utilities of a specific size have a plan in place and give utilities the authority to develop plans that meet TCEQ requirements but 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.
Drought Conditions and Plan By County
Click the county you live in to view its Drought Management Plan and current drought stage:
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Reporting Water Restriction Violations
Report a water restriction violation here. The Texas Water Company will notify the customer of potential violations and provide additional information about the rules in the Plan.
Enforcement
Texas Water may enact the following penalties for violations of the restriction requirements:
First Violation:
Texas Water will issue a written warning and make contact to ensure the customer knows the year-round rules and their assigned day.
Second Violation:
Texas Water 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:
Texas Water 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. Texas Water may terminate service for up to 7 consecutive days and charge the most current reconnection fee to restore service.
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Variance Requests
Customers needing water outside their designated water times should complete and return a variance application. Variances allow daily watering between 7:00 – 10:00 am and 7:00 – 10:00 pm for up to two weeks. Texas Water 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.
Texas Water issues variances only while year-round watering rules are in place and never 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.