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The New Braunfels City Council approved updates to the City’s Drought Contingency Plan on Monday, Sept. 28.

The changes do not affect current watering rules. The updated plan takes effect October 1, 2026. Approximately 73 percent of NBU customers would not be subject to drought surcharges under the updated plan.

These drought surcharges are not an increase to NBU’s regular water rates. They are designed to discourage excessive water use during more severe drought conditions. 

The purpose of these updates is simple: to make it clearer what happens to water use as drought conditions worsen.

What is changing?
Starting Oct. 1, the City’s drought plan will have clearer rules for the most severe drought stages, including:

• Clearer conditions for moving into Conservation Stages 4 and 5
• Stricter outdoor watering limits only as drought conditions worsen
• Clearer water-use reduction goals for each drought stage
• Drought surcharges during Conservation Stages 3, 4 and 5 for customers whose water use reaches the applicable threshold

What is NOT changing?
The update does not change the current watering requirements right away.

The drought stage system will continue to be based on water supply conditions, including measurements from the Edwards Aquifer Authority’s J-17 monitoring well, Comal Springs flow and other water-supply indicators.

The plan also continues to protect water used for essential household needs such as
drinking, cooking, bathing and cleaning.

How will the updated plan affect watering?

If drought conditions become more severe, outdoor watering will become more restricted.

Residential customers who use water primarily for normal household needs will generally be protected from drought surcharges. However, customers who use additional water, including for outdoor irrigation, will be subject to a surcharge only during Conservation Stages 3, 4 and 5 if their monthly water use exceeds the applicable surcharge threshold of 6,000 gallons.

In Stage 3 water use above 6,000-gallon threshold is subject to the surcharge of $4.18 per thousand gallons. In Stage 4 water use above 6,000-gallon threshold is subject to the surcharge of $4.89 per thousand gallons. In Stage 5, all irrigation water use is subject to the surcharge of $4.89 per thousand gallons.

For commercial customers, drought surcharges apply only to irrigation meters, not to separate domestic meters used for normal business operations. Commercial irrigation use that stays below the applicable thresholds will not be subject to a drought surcharge.

The updated plan gives NBU clearer rules to follow when water supplies are under increasing demand. By setting specific conditions and water-use goals ahead of time, NBU can respond more quickly as drought conditions change while helping protect the community’s water supply and maintain reliable service.

For further information, visit our Drought Contingency Plan page.