Drought/Conservation

Drought Restrictions and Watering Rules

Drought Restrictions

The Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority (GBRA) has Drought Contingency Plans in place to safeguard the water supply for the communities that it serves. Each plan includes five stages of water use restrictions, which may be implemented depending on the severity of drought conditions. Triggers for each stage are based on factors including the water level in Canyon Reservoir and the storage capacity of the water storage facility for each community.

Homeowners can expect to receive notification of any changes to the current stage on this website and via text message and email notification, based on the preferences selected in your customer account.

Current Stage

N/A

Canyon Elevation

Year-round watering rules are in effect when Canyon Reservoir is above 900 ft and there are no specific drought restrictions

Watering Rules

Landscape watering with an irrigation system or sprinkler is permitted any day of the week
Landscape watering should take place before 11 a.m. or after 7 p.m.
Hand watering with a hand-held hose, drip irrigation, soaker hose or bucket is permitted any time of day
Washing impervious cover including parking lots, driveways, streets or sidewalks is permitted
Water waste is prohibited at all times. Allowing water to run off into a gutter, ditch, or drain or failing to repair a controllable leak is considered water waste

Implemented when Canyon Reservoir is less than 900 feet or storage facilities are less than 50% capacity

Watering Rules:

Watering with a hose-end sprinkler or irrigation system is allowed TWO DAYS PER WEEK based on the last digit of the address.
Watering should occur BEFORE 10 a.m. and AFTER 7 p.m.
Hand watering with a handheld hose, drip irrigation, bucket, or watering can is allowed any time on any day.

Implemented when Canyon Reservoir is less than 895 feet or storage facilities are less than 41% capacity

Watering Rules:

Watering with a hose-end sprinkler or irrigation system is allowed TWO DAYS PER WEEK based on the last digit of the address
Watering must occur BEFORE 10 a.m. and AFTER 7 p.m.
Hand watering with a handheld hose, drip irrigation, bucket or watering can is allowed any time on day day

Implemented when Canyon Reservoir is less than 890 feet or storage facilities are less than 33% capacity

Watering Rules:

Watering with a hose-end sprinkler or irrigation system is limited to ONE DAY PER WEEK based on the last digit of the address
Watering must occur BEFORE 10 a.m. and AFTER 7 p.m.
Non-public swimming pools must have a minimum of 25% of the surface covered and are restricted from being filled or refilled
Operation of ornamental fountains or ponds for aesthetic purposes are prohibited

Implemented when Canyon Reservoir is less than 885 feet or storage facilities are less than 25% capacity

Watering Rules:

Watering with a hose-end sprinkler or irrigation system is limited to ONE DAY EVERY OTHER WEEK based on the last digit of the address
Watering must occur BEFORE 10 a.m. and AFTER 7 p.m.
Residential washing of cars, motorcycles, boats, trailers or any other motor vehicle is prohibited
Non-public swimming pools must have a minimum of 25% of the surface covered and are restricted from being filled or refilled
Operation of ornamental fountains or ponds for aesthetic purposes are prohibited
Individuals using more than 25,000 gallons during Stage 4 will incur a 25% rate increase

Intended for water shortage emergencies from major line breaks, system failures, natural disasters related to weather including any natural or man-made contamination of water supply sources

Watering Rules:

Watering of landscape is PROHIBITED
Washing of motor vehicles, boats, trailers, etc. is PROHIBITED
Filling or refilling of pools is PROHIBITED

Year-Round Watering Rules

Year-round watering rules are in effect when Canyon Reservoir is above 900 ft and there are no specific drought restrictions

Watering Rules

Landscape watering with an irrigation system or sprinkler is permitted any day of the week
Landscape watering should take place before 11 a.m. or after 7 p.m.
Hand watering with a hand-held hose, drip irrigation, soaker hose or bucket is permitted any time of day
Washing impervious cover including parking lots, driveways, streets or sidewalks is permitted
Water waste is prohibited at all times. Allowing water to run off into a gutter, ditch, or drain or failing to repair a controllable leak is considered water waste

Stage 1 - Voluntary

Implemented when Canyon Reservoir is less than 900 feet or storage facilities are less than 50% capacity

Watering Rules:

Watering with a hose-end sprinkler or irrigation system is allowed TWO DAYS PER WEEK based on the last digit of the address.
Watering should occur BEFORE 10 a.m. and AFTER 7 p.m.
Hand watering with a handheld hose, drip irrigation, bucket, or watering can is allowed any time on any day.

Stage 2

Implemented when Canyon Reservoir is less than 895 feet or storage facilities are less than 41% capacity

Watering Rules:

Watering with a hose-end sprinkler or irrigation system is allowed TWO DAYS PER WEEK based on the last digit of the address
Watering must occur BEFORE 10 a.m. and AFTER 7 p.m.
Hand watering with a handheld hose, drip irrigation, bucket or watering can is allowed any time on day day

Stage 3

Implemented when Canyon Reservoir is less than 890 feet or storage facilities are less than 33% capacity

Watering Rules:

Watering with a hose-end sprinkler or irrigation system is limited to ONE DAY PER WEEK based on the last digit of the address
Watering must occur BEFORE 10 a.m. and AFTER 7 p.m.
Non-public swimming pools must have a minimum of 25% of the surface covered and are restricted from being filled or refilled
Operation of ornamental fountains or ponds for aesthetic purposes are prohibited

Stage 4

Implemented when Canyon Reservoir is less than 885 feet or storage facilities are less than 25% capacity

Watering Rules:

Watering with a hose-end sprinkler or irrigation system is limited to ONE DAY EVERY OTHER WEEK based on the last digit of the address
Watering must occur BEFORE 10 a.m. and AFTER 7 p.m.
Residential washing of cars, motorcycles, boats, trailers or any other motor vehicle is prohibited
Non-public swimming pools must have a minimum of 25% of the surface covered and are restricted from being filled or refilled
Operation of ornamental fountains or ponds for aesthetic purposes are prohibited
Individuals using more than 25,000 gallons during Stage 4 will incur a 25% rate increase

Stage 5 - Emergency

Intended for water shortage emergencies from major line breaks, system failures, natural disasters related to weather including any natural or man-made contamination of water supply sources

Watering Rules:

Watering of landscape is PROHIBITED
Washing of motor vehicles, boats, trailers, etc. is PROHIBITED
Filling or refilling of pools is PROHIBITED

Last Digit of Address	Stages 1 and 2	Stages 3 and 4
0	Tuesday/Friday	Monday
1	Monday/Thursday	Monday
2	Tuesday/Friday	Tuesday
3	Monday/Thursday	Tuesday
4	Tuesday/Friday	Wednesday
5	Monday/Thursday	Wednesday
6	Tuesday/Friday	Thursday
7	Monday/Thursday	Thursday
8	Tuesday/Friday	Friday
9	Monday/Thursday	Friday
No address/commercial meter	Wednesday/Saturday	Saturday

Water Conservation and Drought Contingency Plans

Full Water Conservation and Drought Contingency Plans are available below.

Current Conditions

View the latest U.S. Drought Outlook & Assessment

Learn More

Drought Information from the Texas Water Development Board

Learn More

Water Conservation and Drought Contingency Plans

Water Conservation: What can you do?

Don't Be Clueless About Water

Download PDF

Bright Ideas for Water and Energy Conservation

Download PDF

25 Water Conservation Tips
Puntos de Conservacion de Agua

Check your sprinkler system frequently and adjust sprinklers so only your lawn is watered and not the house, sidewalk, or street.
Run your washing machine and dishwasher only when they are full and you could save 1,000 gallons a month.
Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your driveway or sidewalk and save 80 gallons of water every time.
When you shop for a new appliance, consider one offering cycle and load size adjustments. They are more water and energy-efficient than older appliances.
Adjust your lawn mower to a higher setting. Longer grass shades root systems and holds soil moisture better than a closely clipped lawn.
Put food coloring in your toilet tank. If it seeps into the toilet bowl, you have a leak. It’s easy to fix, and you can save more than 600 gallons a month.
Install a rain shut-off device on your automatic sprinklers to eliminate unnecessary watering.
Reduce the amount of grass in your yard by planting shrubs, and ground cover with rock and granite mulching.
Water your plants deeply but less frequently to create healthier and stronger landscapes.
Avoid installing ornamental water features and fountains that spray water in the air. Trickling or cascading fountains lose less water to evaporation.
Buy a rain gauge to track how much rain or irrigation your yard receives. Check with your local water agency to see how much rain is needed to skip an irrigation cycle.
Encourage your school system and local government to help develop and promote a water conservation ethic among children and adults.
Set a kitchen timer when watering your lawn or garden with a hose.
When the kids want to cool off, use the sprinkler in an area where your lawn needs it the most.
Landscape with Xeriscape trees, plants and groundcovers. Call your local conservation office for more information about these water thrifty plants.
Use a hose nozzle and turn off the water while you wash your car and save more than 100 gallons.
Bermuda grasses are dormant (brown) in the winter and will only require water once every three to four weeks or less if it rains.
Use sprinklers that throw big drops of water close to the ground. Smaller drops of water and mist often evaporate before they hit the ground.
More plants die from over-watering than from under-watering. Be sure only to water plants when necessary.
Bathe your pets outdoors in an area in need of water.
Aerate your lawn. Punch holes in your lawn about six inches apart so water will reach the roots rather than run off the surface.
To save water and time, consider washing your face or brushing your teeth while in the shower.
For hanging baskets, planters and pots, place ice cubes under the moss or dirt to give your plants a cool drink of water and help eliminate water overflow.
Don’t water your lawn on windy days. After all, sidewalks and driveways don’t need water.
Wash clothes only when you have a full load and save up to 600 gallons each month.

Verifique su sistema de la regadera con frecuencia y ajuste las regaderas tan sólo su césped se riega y no la casa, la acera, ni la calle.
Corra su máquina de lavadora y lavaplatos sólo cuando ellos están repletos y usted podría salvar 1,000 galones un mes.
Utilice una escoba en vez de una manga para limpiar su camino de entrada o la acera y salvar 80 galones de agua cada vez.
Cuándo usted hace de compras para un nuevo aparato, considera un ciclo de ofrenda y ajustes de tamaño de carga. Ellos son más agua y aparatos energía-eficiente que más viejos.
Ajuste su cortacéspedes a una colocación más alta. Las sombras más largas del césped arraigan sistemas y tienen tierra la humedad mejor que un césped de cerca sujetado.
Ponga alimento el colorido en su tanque de lavabo. Si se rezuma en el tazón de lavabo, usted tiene un escape. Es fácil de fijar, y usted puede salvar más de 600 galones un mes.
Instale un dispositivo de válvula de lluvia en sus regaderas automáticas para eliminar regar innecesario.
Reduzca la cantidad de césped en su yarda plantando los arbustos, y molió la cubierta con piedra y granito que cubren con pajote.
Riegue sus plantas profundamente pero menos crear con frecuencia los paisajes más sanos y más fuertes.
Evite las características decorativas de agua que instalan y las fuentes que rocían agua en el aire. Chorrear un poco o cayendo en cascada fuentes pierden menos agua a la evaporación.
Compre un pluviómetro para rastrear cuánta lluvia o la irrigación su yarda recevies. El cheque con su agencia local de agua para ver cuánta lluvia se necesita saltarse un ciclo de la irrigación.
Alente su sistema escolar y la administración municipal para ayudar a desarrollar y promover una ética de la conservación de agua entre niños y adultos.
Ponga un reloj de la cocina al regar su césped o el jardín con una manga.
Cuándo los niños quieren calmarse, utilizar la regadera en un área donde su césped necesita el la mayoría del.
Ajardine con árboles de Xeriscape, las plantas y groundcovers. Llame su oficina local de la conservación para más información acerca de éstos riega plantas económicas.
Utilice una boca de manga y apague el agua mientras usted lava su coche y salva más de 100 galones.
Los céspedes de Bermuda están inactivos (marrón) en el invierno y hacen sólo requiere agua una vez cada tres a cuatro semanas o menos si llueve.
Utilice las regaderas que tiran bigh gotas del fin de agua al suelo. Las gotas más pequeñas de agua y niebla a menudo evaporan antes ellos golpean el suelo.
Más plantas mueren de sobre-regar que de submarino. Esté seguro sólo regar plantas cuando necesario.
Báñese sus animales favoritos fuera en un área necesitada de agua.
Airéele césped. Dé un puñetazo hoyos en su césped acerca de seis pulgadas aparte tan riegan alcanzarán las raíces antes que corre la superficie.
Para salvar agua y tiempo, considerar lavándose la cara o lavándose los dientes mientras en el chaparrón.
Para cestos colgante para plantas, los plantadores y las ollas, colocan los cubitos de hielo bajo el musgo o la tierra para dar sus plantas una bebida de cood de agua y ayudar a eliminar la capacidad excesiva de agua.
No riegue su césped en días ventosos. A fin de cuentas, las aceras y los caminos de entrada no necesitan agua.
El lavado viste sólo cuando usted tiene una carga repleta y ahorra a 600 galones cada mes.

25 Water Conservation Tips

Check your sprinkler system frequently and adjust sprinklers so only your lawn is watered and not the house, sidewalk, or street.
Run your washing machine and dishwasher only when they are full and you could save 1,000 gallons a month.
Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your driveway or sidewalk and save 80 gallons of water every time.
When you shop for a new appliance, consider one offering cycle and load size adjustments. They are more water and energy-efficient than older appliances.
Adjust your lawn mower to a higher setting. Longer grass shades root systems and holds soil moisture better than a closely clipped lawn.
Put food coloring in your toilet tank. If it seeps into the toilet bowl, you have a leak. It’s easy to fix, and you can save more than 600 gallons a month.
Install a rain shut-off device on your automatic sprinklers to eliminate unnecessary watering.
Reduce the amount of grass in your yard by planting shrubs, and ground cover with rock and granite mulching.
Water your plants deeply but less frequently to create healthier and stronger landscapes.
Avoid installing ornamental water features and fountains that spray water in the air. Trickling or cascading fountains lose less water to evaporation.
Buy a rain gauge to track how much rain or irrigation your yard receives. Check with your local water agency to see how much rain is needed to skip an irrigation cycle.
Encourage your school system and local government to help develop and promote a water conservation ethic among children and adults.
Set a kitchen timer when watering your lawn or garden with a hose.
When the kids want to cool off, use the sprinkler in an area where your lawn needs it the most.
Landscape with Xeriscape trees, plants and groundcovers. Call your local conservation office for more information about these water thrifty plants.
Use a hose nozzle and turn off the water while you wash your car and save more than 100 gallons.
Bermuda grasses are dormant (brown) in the winter and will only require water once every three to four weeks or less if it rains.
Use sprinklers that throw big drops of water close to the ground. Smaller drops of water and mist often evaporate before they hit the ground.
More plants die from over-watering than from under-watering. Be sure only to water plants when necessary.
Bathe your pets outdoors in an area in need of water.
Aerate your lawn. Punch holes in your lawn about six inches apart so water will reach the roots rather than run off the surface.
To save water and time, consider washing your face or brushing your teeth while in the shower.
For hanging baskets, planters and pots, place ice cubes under the moss or dirt to give your plants a cool drink of water and help eliminate water overflow.
Don’t water your lawn on windy days. After all, sidewalks and driveways don’t need water.
Wash clothes only when you have a full load and save up to 600 gallons each month.

Puntos de Conservacion de Agua

Verifique su sistema de la regadera con frecuencia y ajuste las regaderas tan sólo su césped se riega y no la casa, la acera, ni la calle.
Corra su máquina de lavadora y lavaplatos sólo cuando ellos están repletos y usted podría salvar 1,000 galones un mes.
Utilice una escoba en vez de una manga para limpiar su camino de entrada o la acera y salvar 80 galones de agua cada vez.
Cuándo usted hace de compras para un nuevo aparato, considera un ciclo de ofrenda y ajustes de tamaño de carga. Ellos son más agua y aparatos energía-eficiente que más viejos.
Ajuste su cortacéspedes a una colocación más alta. Las sombras más largas del césped arraigan sistemas y tienen tierra la humedad mejor que un césped de cerca sujetado.
Ponga alimento el colorido en su tanque de lavabo. Si se rezuma en el tazón de lavabo, usted tiene un escape. Es fácil de fijar, y usted puede salvar más de 600 galones un mes.
Instale un dispositivo de válvula de lluvia en sus regaderas automáticas para eliminar regar innecesario.
Reduzca la cantidad de césped en su yarda plantando los arbustos, y molió la cubierta con piedra y granito que cubren con pajote.
Riegue sus plantas profundamente pero menos crear con frecuencia los paisajes más sanos y más fuertes.
Evite las características decorativas de agua que instalan y las fuentes que rocían agua en el aire. Chorrear un poco o cayendo en cascada fuentes pierden menos agua a la evaporación.
Compre un pluviómetro para rastrear cuánta lluvia o la irrigación su yarda recevies. El cheque con su agencia local de agua para ver cuánta lluvia se necesita saltarse un ciclo de la irrigación.
Alente su sistema escolar y la administración municipal para ayudar a desarrollar y promover una ética de la conservación de agua entre niños y adultos.
Ponga un reloj de la cocina al regar su césped o el jardín con una manga.
Cuándo los niños quieren calmarse, utilizar la regadera en un área donde su césped necesita el la mayoría del.
Ajardine con árboles de Xeriscape, las plantas y groundcovers. Llame su oficina local de la conservación para más información acerca de éstos riega plantas económicas.
Utilice una boca de manga y apague el agua mientras usted lava su coche y salva más de 100 galones.
Los céspedes de Bermuda están inactivos (marrón) en el invierno y hacen sólo requiere agua una vez cada tres a cuatro semanas o menos si llueve.
Utilice las regaderas que tiran bigh gotas del fin de agua al suelo. Las gotas más pequeñas de agua y niebla a menudo evaporan antes ellos golpean el suelo.
Más plantas mueren de sobre-regar que de submarino. Esté seguro sólo regar plantas cuando necesario.
Báñese sus animales favoritos fuera en un área necesitada de agua.
Airéele césped. Dé un puñetazo hoyos en su césped acerca de seis pulgadas aparte tan riegan alcanzarán las raíces antes que corre la superficie.
Para salvar agua y tiempo, considerar lavándose la cara o lavándose los dientes mientras en el chaparrón.
Para cestos colgante para plantas, los plantadores y las ollas, colocan los cubitos de hielo bajo el musgo o la tierra para dar sus plantas una bebida de cood de agua y ayudar a eliminar la capacidad excesiva de agua.
No riegue su césped en días ventosos. A fin de cuentas, las aceras y los caminos de entrada no necesitan agua.
El lavado viste sólo cuando usted tiene una carga repleta y ahorra a 600 galones cada mes.

Water Conservation and Drought Contingency Plans

Extended Chronology of Drought in the San Antonio Area by Malcolm K. Cleaveland, PhD.

Download PDF

Drought by Todd Votteler, PH.D

Download PDF

Related Information

Edwards Aquifer and the Guadalupe River

Learn More

Drought Restrictions and Watering Rules

N/A

N/A

Last Digit of Address

Stages 1 and 2

Stages 3 and 4

Current Conditions

View the latest U.S. Drought Outlook & Assessment

Drought Information from the Texas Water Development Board

Water Conservation and Drought Contingency Plans

GBRA Wholesale Water Conservation Plan

GBRA Drought Contingency Plan - One Page

GBRA Drought Contingency Plan - Full Text

Summary of GBRA Drought Contingency Plan

Cordillera Ranch Water System Drought Contingency Plan

Comal Trace Water System Drought Contingency Plan

Johnson Ranch Water System Drought Contingency Plan

Water Conservation: What can you do?

Don't Be Clueless About Water

Bright Ideas for Water and Energy Conservation

Water Conservation and Drought Contingency Plans

Extended Chronology of Drought in the San Antonio Area by Malcolm K. Cleaveland, PhD.

Drought by Todd Votteler, PH.D

Related Information

Edwards Aquifer and the Guadalupe River