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Stage 2

Watering One Day a Week with a Sprinkler or Irrigation System

During Stage 2, watering one day a week with a sprinkler or irrigation system is permitted on your designated watering day, based on the last digit of your address, as outlined below. Running a sprinkler or irrigation system on the weekends is not permitted is not during Stages 1, 2, or 3.

Complete Watering Restrictions

  • Landscape watering with an irrigation system or sprinkler is allowed once a week before 10:00 a.m. or after 8:00 p.m. on your designated watering day, as determined by your address. If there is no street address associated with your property, such as a parkway, or if there is more than one street address associated with a single contiguous property, your irrigation day is Wednesday.
  • Watering with a hand-held hose, bucket, drip irrigation system, or a soaker hose that does not spray water in the air is allowed any day, but only before 10:00 a.m. or after 8:00 p.m.
  • Foundations may be watered up to two hours on any day, during watering times, by handheld hose; or using a soaker hose or drip system placed within 24 inches of the foundation that does not produce a spray of water above the ground.
  • All outside water aesthetics (fountains, waterfalls, etc.) are prohibited.
  • Residential car washing allowed only on your designated watering day before 10:00 a.m. or after 8:00 p.m. Use of commercial vehicle wash facility permitted any day.Residential car washing allowed only on your designated watering day before 10:00 a.m. or after 8:00 p.m. Use of commercial vehicle wash facility permitted any day.
  • Variance requests must be approved prior to new landscape installation. Once variance letter has been received, watering permitted to maintain adequate growth until established; generally three weeks.
  • Washing sidewalks, walkways, driveways, parking lots, street, tennis courts, and other impervious surfaces is prohibited except in emergencies to remove spills of hazardous materials or to eliminate dangerous conditions which threaten the public health, safety, or welfare. Washing buildings, houses or structures with a pressure washer or garden hose is prohibited for aesthetic purposes but allowable for surface preparation of maintenance work to be performed. A variance from NBU must be obtained for any pressure washing performed during drought stage.
  • Construction, installation, and filling of new pools allowed.
  • NBU strongly encourages that all swimming pools, other than public swimming pools, be covered with an effective evaporation cover or screen or evaporation shields covering at least 25 percent of the surface of the pool when the pool is not in active use. Active use includes necessary maintenance that requires removal of the cover, screen, or shields. 
  • Re-filling of ornamental lakes or ponds is prohibited; except to the extent needed to sustain aquatic life, provided that such animals are of significant value and have been actively managed within the water feature prior to declaration of a drought response level under this article.
  • Hotels, motels, B&B’s must limit linen/towel changes to once every three nights or for the entire stay, whichever is shorter, except for health and safety.
  • Water leaks must be repaired within 24 hours of notification from NBU unless other arrangements are made with the conservation coordinator.
City of New Braunfels Code of Ordinances

Year Round Rules

  • Water waste is prohibited at all times. This includes lawn watering overspray and runoff.
  • NBU encourages that restaurants serve water only on request (to reduce dishwashing).
  • Charity car washes allowed only at commercial car wash facilities.
Conservation Ordinance and Drought Management Plan

In conjunction with the City of New Braunfels, NBU created the Water Conservation and Drought Management Plan. This ordinance provides a blueprint for encouraging conservation and best managing our water supply during periods of drought.