Water Conservation

Voluntary Water Conservation 

• Practice water conservation and minimize water use for non-essential purposes.
• Voluntarily limit the irrigation of landscaped areas to two days per week (as assigned by street address number) and to irrigate landscapes only before 10:00 a.m. or after 8:00 p.m. on designated watering days, unless if watering by hand-held means.
• Sundays & Thursdays for water customers with a street address  ending in an even number (0,2,4,6,or 8)
• Saturdays & Wednesdays for water customers with a street address  ending in an odd number (1,3,5,7,or 9)

Moderate Water Shortage Conditions - Mandatory Restrictions

• Limit the irrigation of landscaped areas to two days per week (as assigned by street address number) and to irrigate landscapes only before 10:00 a.m. or after 8:00 p.m. on designated watering days, unless if watering by hand-held means.
• Sundays & Thursdays for water customers with a street address  ending in an even number (0,2,4,6,or 8).
• Saturdays & Wednesdays for water customers with a street address  ending in an odd number (1,3,5,7,or 9).
• Fill, refill, or add to any indoor or outdoor swimming pools, wading pools, or Jacuzzi-type pools only on designated watering days as listed above.
• Operate fountains or ponds only to support aquatic life or where such fountains or ponds are equipped with a re-circulation system.
• Irrigate golf courses only on designated watering days before 10:00 a.m. or after 8:00 p.m., unless the course utilizes a water source other than that provided by the City of Temple.
• Not wash down hard-surfaced areas (driveways, tennis courts, etc.), flush gutters, use water for dust control, or wash down buildings, except for fire protection.
• Understand that restaurants are prohibited from serving water, except by request.

Severe Water Shortage Conditions- Mandatory Restrictions

Citizens must follow all restrictions of Moderate Water Shortage and:

• Limit the irrigation of landscaped areas to two days per week (as assigned by street address number) and to irrigate landscapes only before 8:00 a.m. or after 8:00 p.m. on designated watering days, unless if watering by hand-held means.
• Sundays & Thursdays for water customers with a street address  ending in an even number (0,2,4,6,or 8).
• Saturdays & Wednesdays for water customers with a street address  ending in an odd number (1,3,5,7,or 9).
• Use of water from hydrants shall be limited to firefighting, related activities, or other activities necessary to maintain public health, safety, and welfare.  Use of water from fire hydrants for construction purposes may be allowed under special permit from the City.
• The watering of golf course tees is prohibited unless the golf course utilizes a water source other than that provided by the City.

Emergency Water Shortage Conditions- Mandatory Restrictions

Citizens must follow all restrictions of Moderate and Severe Water Shortage, and: 

• Irrigation of landscaped areas is absolutely prohibited.
• Use of water to wash any motor vehicle is prohibited.
• Filling, refilling, or adding of water to pools is prohibited.
• Use of water from fire hydrants for construction purposes is prohibited.
• Understand that no application for new, additional, expanded, or increased-in-size water service connections, meters, service lines, pipeline extensions, mains, or water service facilities of any kind shall be allowed or approved.
• Understand that the City Manager is authorized to implement any actions or restrictions necessary to protect the public health, safety, and welfare including, but not limited to, water rationing, water service termination; and mandatory closure of commercial and industrial facilities.

• Recreational Users
• Commercial and Industrial Users
• School Users
• Residential Users
• Hospitals, Public Health Facilities, and Safety Facilities

Our Drought Contingency Plan establishes certain triggers that move us, progressively, from voluntary water conservation measures to mandatory water shortage restrictions. The Drought Contingency Plan triggers are generally based upon the amount of water pumped out of the water treatment plant on a daily basis, but are also affected by regional conditions. Once certain demand levels are reached, water shortage responses are triggered.

Simple tasks such as turning off the water while brushing your teeth, washing full loads of laundry, and being mindful of your shower time can all add up to significant water savings. We encourage all citizens to conserve water year-round.

Additional Resources:
TakeCareofTexas.gov 
WaterUseItWisely.com
H2Ouse.org

The City is required by law to submit an updated Drought Contingency Plan to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality at least every five years. The City's Drought Contingency Plan is based on both supply and demand. While we have an adequate water supply, the City's ability to deliver water is limited by how much demand is placed on the water distribution system. During the summer months, demand levels tend to peak and the ability to deliver the water can become strained. Watch this page for water conservation activation notices.