2025 Water Conservation Guidelines for White Settlement, TX

Staying water-wise protects our homes, our wallets, and our city’s future. White Settlement’s 2025 Water Conservation Guidelines are designed to cut waste, keep essential services running, and ensure fair access to water for everyone—especially during hot Texas summers and droughts. This guide breaks down what you can water and when, what’s off-limits, what equipment you need, how drought stages work, and how enforcement and variances operate. By the end, you’ll know exactly how to comply and conserve without guesswork.

For the most current updates, official notices, and additional resources, be sure to visit the White Settlement Water Division page.

What These Guidelines Mean for You

• Purpose: Reduce water waste, protect system capacity, and prioritize public health, safety, and fire protection.
• Who it applies to: All customers using city water—residential, commercial, industrial, and public entities inside the city service area.
• Big picture: The city aligns its restrictions with Fort Worth and the Tarrant Regional Water District (TRWD). As conditions change, rules may tighten or ease.

Key takeaway: You can always protect foundations, trees, and high-value plants with hand-held hoses, drip irrigation, or soaker hoses—any day, any time.

Your Weekly Irrigation Schedule and Daily Time Window

Outdoor irrigation with sprinkler or in-ground systems is allowed on set days and times to reduce evaporation and waste.

• Allowed days by address type:

• • Even-numbered residential addresses: Wednesday and Saturday
  • Odd-numbered residential addresses: Thursday and Sunday
  • Nonresidential (apartments, businesses, parks, medians, etc.): Tuesday and Friday

• Allowed times for sprinklers and irrigation systems:

• • Midnight–10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.–11:59 p.m.

• Always allowed, any day, any time:

• • Hand-held hose
  • Drip irrigation
  • Soaker hose
  • Tree bubblers

Tip: Morning watering reduces evaporation and helps roots absorb water before heat peaks.

Prohibited Water Uses and Common Violations to Avoid

The city targets nonessential and wasteful activities. Avoid these to stay compliant:

• Watering with sprinklers between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
• Watering on non-scheduled days (unless using hand-held, drip, soaker, or tree bubbler)
• Washing down sidewalks, driveways, or buildings (except for health/safety needs)
• Allowing runoff: water forming a stream 50 feet or more, or ponding over 1/4 inch in streets/parking lots
• Operating irrigation during rain or when temperatures are at or below 32°F
• Irrigating with broken or misaligned sprinkler heads, or at high pressure causing misting
• Filling or refilling decorative fountains and ponds that don’t support aquatic life (varies by drought stage)
• Using hydrants for non-emergency purposes without a city-approved variance

Quick check: If you see overspray onto the street or constant puddles, adjust your system immediately.

Equipment Requirements: Rain/Freeze Sensors and Backflow Protection

To prevent needless watering and protect water quality:

• Rain and freeze sensors are required on commercial and industrial irrigation systems and on residential systems installed after June 1, 2007.
• Commercial customer class rain and freeze sensors must be inspected and tested annually.
• All irrigation connections must comply with the city’s backflow and cross-connection control program.

Action step: If your system lacks a rain/freeze shutoff or you haven’t tested it in over a year, schedule an inspection.

The Three Drought Response Stages and What Changes for You

Drought stages escalate based on TRWD reservoir levels, demand, and system conditions. The city may also adjust stages to match Fort Worth’s guidance.

Stage 1: Water Watch (Goal: 5% reduction)

• When it triggers: Increasing system demand or TRWD reservoir drops below 75% conservation storage, among other conditions.
• What changes:

• • Twice-per-week watering schedule enforced (as listed above)
  • No outdoor watering with sprinklers 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
  • No wasteful practices (runoff, broken heads, watering during precipitation)
  • Vehicle washing allowed with hand-held hose and shutoff nozzle; car washes remain open
  • Pool filling discouraged except to maintain safe operating levels
  • City increases education, leak detection, and enforcement

Tip: Consider soil moisture sensors and pressure regulation on zones to reduce misting and overspray.

Stage 2: Water Warning (Goal: 10% reduction)

• When it triggers: Higher system demand or TRWD reservoir below 60% conservation storage, among other conditions.
• What changes:

• • Once-per-week watering with sprinklers or irrigation systems
  • Hand-held hoses, drip, soaker hoses, and tree bubblers still allowed any day
  • Ornamental fountains using potable water discouraged unless supporting aquatic life or recirculating
  • Pool filling discouraged; use a cover to reduce evaporation
  • Golf fairways limited to once per week; greens/tee boxes only before 10:00 a.m. and after 6:00 p.m.
  • Athletic fields can water as needed for player safety; target 10% reduction
  • Hydrant use requires a variance; may be limited to designated hydrants

Pro move: Group high-need plants and trees on separate zones and change schedules seasonally. Deep, infrequent watering helps roots grow stronger.

Stage 3: Emergency Water Use (Goal: 20% reduction)

• When it triggers: Extreme demand, major system failures, or TRWD reservoir below 45% conservation storage, among other conditions.
• What changes:

• • Sprinkler and system landscape watering is prohibited
  • Exceptions: Hand-held hoses, soaker hoses, and drip systems allowed to protect foundations, trees, and high-value plants
  • Vehicle washing limited to commercial car washes and critical sanitation/safety needs
  • No operation of ornamental fountains using potable water (unless supporting aquatic life)
  • No draining, filling, or refilling of pools and hot tubs; only minimal top-offs allowed (no automatic fill valves)
  • New landscaping establishment is prohibited (variances may apply to projects started before Stage 3)
  • The city may pause new permits for pools and certain water features

Bottom line: Stage 3 focuses on essential uses only. Plan ahead by prioritizing trees and structural protection.

Enforcement: Warnings, Fines, and Service Lockouts

Compliance is enforced with escalating steps:

• First violation: Written warning
• Second and subsequent violations: Citations with fines as established by ordinance
• After three violations: Water service may be disconnected
• Administrative fees: The city may install a locking device on irrigation systems operating in violation and assess an administrative fee. Notices will be left on-site and mailed to the account holder.
• Tampering with a locking device is unlawful and subject to penalties

How to resolve:

• Pay assessed administrative fees to restore service; the city aims to remove locks within three working days of payment.
• You can request a hearing within 15 business days to contest the fee. A hearing officer will review evidence and issue a decision. Unpaid fees may accrue interest and be added to your water bill.

Tip: Keep records of repairs, invoices, and photos if you receive a notice. Documentation helps during hearings or appeals.

Variances: When and How to Apply

The city may grant temporary variances when strict compliance isn’t feasible or would create a health or safety issue. You’ll need to submit a written petition.

You can request a variance if:

• Not granting it would cause an emergency condition affecting health, sanitation, or fire safety
• Technical limits prevent compliance (e.g., multi-station systems that can’t be fully watered on one day)
• You can implement alternative measures that achieve the same reduction

What to include in your variance request:

• Name and address
• Purpose of water use
• Specific provisions you’re requesting relief from
• Adverse effects of strict compliance
• Exact relief requested and time period
• Alternative measures you’ll take to reduce water use
• For new landscapes: a 30-day irrigation schedule that tapers to the standard schedule
• Any other details requested by the city

Notes:

• Variances are discretionary and may be revoked if terms are violated or conditions change.
• New turf or landscaping during Stage 1 is discouraged; if approved, variances are generally capped at 30 days. During Stage 3, new landscaping is prohibited (with narrow exceptions for projects already underway).

Public Education and How You’ll Be Notified

The city invests in outreach to keep residents informed and prepared:

• Website updates with the current drought stage and rules
• Fact sheets and resources at city facilities and events
• Media notifications when stages change
• Bill inserts and community presentations

Stay current: Visit the White Settlement Water Division page for the latest information, resources, and alerts, or sign up for city updates if available.

Practical Tips to Save Water Without Sacrificing Your Landscape

• Water early morning to reduce evaporation.
• Convert spray zones to drip for beds and trees; use mulch to retain moisture.
• Fix leaks fast: broken heads and valve leaks waste thousands of gallons per month.
• Adjust heads to avoid overspray onto streets and sidewalks.
• Use a pool cover to cut evaporation by 50–70%.
• Choose native or adapted plants that thrive with less water.
• Check pressure: high pressure causes misting; install pressure-regulating heads or valves.

Special Situations and Exemptions

• Essential services (police, fire, emergency) are exempt when needed to protect public health and safety.
• Alternative water sources (private wells, reclaimed water, or Trinity River water) may be exempt if:

• • You register the source with the city,
  • Provide proof and allow inspection if required,
  • Comply with backflow and cross-connection rules.

• Commercial nurseries can water stock under specific methods (e.g., hand-held or drip) depending on stage.

When in doubt, ask: If your property uses an alternative source or has a unique configuration, contact the city to confirm your status and any documentation needed.

Quick Compliance Checklist

• Do I water only on my assigned days and outside 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. when using sprinklers?
• Are rain and freeze sensors installed and working?
• Have I checked for broken heads, leaks, and overspray?
• Do I avoid watering during rain or freezing conditions?
• If I need an exception, have I prepared a variance request with all required details?
• Am I following the current drought stage rules?

Do Your Part—And Protect Your Property

The 2025 Water Conservation Guidelines help us stretch every gallon without sacrificing safety or the health of our landscapes. Follow your schedule, fix waste, use smart equipment, and keep an eye on drought stages. If you need flexibility for health, safety, or technical reasons, apply for a variance with a clear plan to limit use.

Action steps:

• Verify your watering days and adjust your controller.
• Test your rain/freeze sensor and fix any leaks this week.
• Swap high-evaporation spray zones to drip where practical.
• Check the city’s website for the current drought stage and any updates.

Together, we can cut waste, lower bills, and keep White Settlement resilient.