2025 Water Restrictions in Dallas-Fort Worth What to Know and How to Comply

Water shapes life in North Texas. As the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex grows, so does the strain on our lakes, reservoirs, and infrastructure. The 2025 water restrictions for Dallas and Fort Worth are designed to cut waste, stabilize supply, and prepare for the next dry spell—without sacrificing healthy landscapes. This guide explains the key rules, why they matter, and how you can comply with simple, practical changes at home.

What you’ll learn:

The exact watering rules for Dallas and Fort Worth in 2025
Why twice-weekly watering and mid-day restrictions work
How to program your sprinkler system to stay compliant
Smart, low-cost changes to reduce outdoor water use
Ways to help your community save millions of gallons

The Bottom Line: 2025 Watering Rules

Dallas: Water Conservation Ordinance

Water no more than twice per week based on your address.
No watering with sprinklers or irrigation systems from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. between April 1 and October 31.
Hand-held hoses, drip irrigation, and soaker hoses are allowed, but still follow best practices to avoid runoff and waste.
Don’t water during rain or when soil is saturated.
Repair leaks promptly and avoid watering hard surfaces like sidewalks and driveways.

Tip: Check the city’s address-based schedule to find your designated watering days. Set calendar reminders so you don’t miss your window.

Fort Worth: Year-Round Requirements

Do not water with sprinklers or irrigation systems between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. any day of the year.
Twice-per-week watering is the standard recommendation across the region; follow your utility’s guidance and neighborhood HOA rules if applicable.
Hand-held hoses, drip irrigation, and soaker hoses are allowed at any time, but aim for early morning or evening for best results.
Avoid watering during rain and stop if you see runoff into the street.

Why these rules look similar: Dallas and Fort Worth coordinate conservation strategies across the region to reduce confusion, cut peak demand, and protect supplies shared by multiple cities.

Why These Restrictions Matter

Twice-Weekly Watering Works

Lawn grass in North Texas—especially Bermuda and Zoysia—typically needs about 1 inch of water per week in summer, less in spring and fall. Watering deeply twice per week encourages deeper roots, which makes your lawn more drought-tolerant and reduces total water use. Regional planning groups estimate that holding to twice-weekly watering can extend supplies by years as the population rises.

The 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Prohibition Saves Gallons

Mid-day watering loses a lot of water to evaporation and wind drift. Watering before sunrise or after sunset puts more water at the roots, so your yard needs less overall. It’s the same principle farmers use with smart irrigation: water when plants use it best.

A Growing Population Needs Smarter Use

DFW is among the fastest-growing metro areas in the country. Every new household adds demand to an already stretched system of reservoirs, treatment plants, and distribution pipes. Outdoor irrigation can account for 30–50% of summer household water use. Cutting waste outdoors is the fastest, least costly way to protect long-term supply—before expensive expansions become necessary.

How to Program Your Sprinkler System to Stay Compliant

You don’t need a new system to comply. A few settings will do most of the work.

Step 1: Set Watering Days and Times

Choose two days that match your city’s rules and your address schedule (Dallas) or follow your utility’s guidance (Fort Worth).
Schedule start times between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. This avoids the 10 a.m.–6 p.m. prohibition and reduces evaporation.
If your controller supports multiple start times, use cycle-and-soak (more below).

Step 2: Use Cycle-and-Soak to Prevent Runoff

North Texas soils (often clay) shed water if it’s applied too fast.

Instead of one 12-minute run, try three 4-minute cycles per zone with 30–60 minutes between cycles.
Aim for 0.5 inches per cycle for spray heads and adjust by soil response. If you see puddles or runoff, shorten each cycle.

Step 3: Match Zones to Plant Needs

Turf zones: 12–20 minutes total per watering day for spray heads; 30–45 minutes for rotors, depending on precipitation rate.
Drip zones: 45–90 minutes, depending on emitter flow and plant density.
Shade zones often need less water—reduce time there.

Note: These are starting points. Use a tuna can or rain gauge to measure actual output. Your goal is roughly 1 inch per week in hot months, less in cooler months.

Step 4: Turn on Weather and Sensor Features

Rain sensor: Required in many cities and essential to avoid watering during rain.
Soil moisture sensor (if available): Skip watering when the soil has enough moisture.
Weather-based scheduling: If you have a smart controller, enable local weather adjustments and set your twice-weekly limit as a cap.

Step 5: Seasonal Adjustments

Spring/Fall: Reduce runtimes by 20–40%.
Winter: Water dormant turf sparingly, only during prolonged dry spells to protect perennials and trees.

Practical Tips to Cut Outdoor Water Use Without Sacrificing Curb Appeal

Choose Drought-Resistant Landscaping (Xeriscape Lite)

Turf choice: Bermuda and Zoysia use less water than St. Augustine. Consider converting high-sun, high-traffic areas to Bermuda; switch low-traffic strips to native groundcovers.
Native plants: Blackfoot daisy, autumn sage, purple coneflower, rock rose, and Mexican feather grass thrive with less water once established.
Shrub and bed design: Group plants by water need (hydrozoning) so you can water each zone appropriately.

Improve Your Soil

Aerate compacted clay each spring.
Top-dress with 0.25–0.5 inch of compost to increase water holding.
Mulch beds 2–3 inches deep; keep mulch a few inches from trunks and stems.

Water Smarter, Not Longer

Hand watering: Use a spray nozzle with a shutoff. Focus on new plants and trouble spots only.
Drip irrigation: It delivers water directly to roots and is allowed under restrictions. Add drip lines for shrub beds and foundation plantings.
Edging and hardscapes: Install barriers or adjust nozzles to keep water off sidewalks and driveways.

Fix Hidden Leaks and Inefficiencies

Broken heads and tilted nozzles can waste thousands of gallons per season. Inspect each zone monthly.
Convert high-spray corners to rotary nozzles for better coverage and less misting.
Check pressure: Excess pressure creates mist. Install a pressure regulator on the valve or system if needed.

Plan for Shade and Wind

Plant shade trees on the west and south sides of your property to reduce lawn water needs over time.
Use windbreaks or fences to reduce evaporation on exposed areas.

Common Compliance Mistakes (and Easy Fixes)

Watering during the prohibited window: Set your controller’s “no water” time block to prevent accidental mid-day runs.
Overwatering new landscapes: Even new plants benefit from deep, less frequent watering after the first two weeks. Use drip with slow, targeted runs.
Ignoring runoff: If water reaches the curb, your cycle is too long or the soil is compacted. Shorten cycles and aerate soil.
Watering in the rain: Install or enable a rain sensor. Many controllers support inexpensive add-on sensors.

The Future of Water in Dallas-Fort Worth

As the Dallas-Fort Worth area continues to experience rapid population growth, water conservation is more important than ever. According to the North Texas Council, limiting outdoor watering to just twice per week is a practical and powerful measure that can help secure the region’s water supply for the next decade. This approach not only supports sustainable growth but also ensures that our communities can thrive even as demand for water rises.

Adopting twice-weekly watering makes a significant impact by reducing overall consumption and relieving stress on local reservoirs and water infrastructure. In the long term, these simple changes—combined with smart irrigation practices and ongoing public education—help protect North Texas’s most precious resource. By following the region’s guidelines today, we all play a part in building a water-wise future for tomorrow.