San Antonio TX Water Restrictions 2026

Current water restrictions in San Antonio, Texas

San Antonio is under Stage 3 Drought Restrictions, limiting outdoor irrigation to one day per week based on your street address — the most severe restriction level in the 30-year history of the San Antonio Water System (SAWS).

SAWS entered Stage 3 in June 2024, triggered when the Edwards Aquifer J-17 index well — the primary benchmark SAWS uses to measure aquifer health — dropped below the Stage 3 threshold. As of the latest readings, the J-17 well sits at approximately 625.9 feet above mean sea level, well below the 640-foot level required to exit Stage 3 restrictions. While recent rainfall temporarily added about 10 feet of recovery to the aquifer, the J-17 still needs roughly 30 more inches of recharge before restrictions can lift.

Stage 3 restrictions will remain in place until the J-17 index well exceeds 640 feet for 15 consecutive days. There is no fixed calendar end date — it depends entirely on aquifer recovery. SAWS, which serves over 900,000 customers in Bexar County, is the sole authority overseeing and enforcing these restrictions. You can monitor current J-17 readings directly at saws.org or call 210-704-7297.

Texas is experiencing mixed drought conditions statewide, with San Antonio among the hardest-hit municipalities — Pflugerville is also under a Stage 3 Emergency, and Austin remains in year-round Conservation Stage restrictions.

Practically speaking: if your address ends in 4 or 5, you may water on Wednesday, but only between 5–10 a.m. or 9 p.m.–midnight. You cannot water on weekends under any circumstances during Stage 3. A resident wanting to run their sprinklers on a Wednesday morning at 8 a.m. is in compliance — running them Saturday afternoon is a violation regardless of address.

Watering schedule and allowed days

Your assigned watering day is determined by the last digit of your street address number — not your ZIP code, not your account number. A home at 7823 Wurzbach Road ends in 3, so Tuesday is the only permitted irrigation day. If you live in an apartment or multi-unit property, the building's street address governs the schedule for the entire property, including shared landscaping maintained by the complex.

Commercial properties follow the same address-based schedule as residential customers. Businesses with multiple addresses on a single parcel should confirm their assigned day directly with SAWS, as the governing address is the primary service address on file. Golf courses, cemeteries, and sports fields operate under separate SAWS-issued variance agreements and are not automatically exempt from Stage 3 scheduling.

When prioritizing your one weekly watering window, SAWS recommends directing water first toward trees before turf, since established trees are far harder and more expensive to replace. Live oaks (Quercus fusiformis), the dominant shade tree across San Antonio neighborhoods, are particularly vulnerable to prolonged drought stress and can take years to show decline after root damage. Texas mountain laurel (Sophora secundiflora) and cedar elms (Ulmus crassifolia) — both common in Bexar County landscapes — also benefit from slow, deep watering at the drip line rather than overhead irrigation. If your assigned watering day falls on a day when rain has just occurred, skip the cycle; the Edwards Aquifer recharges through the same rain events that saturate your yard.

What happens if you violate restrictions in San Antonio?

SAWS enforces Stage 3 restrictions through a combination of field patrols, smart meter data analysis, and customer complaint reports. The SAWS smart meter network — which covers the majority of the system — can flag unusual usage patterns outside permitted hours, flagging potential violations for follow-up without requiring a neighbor complaint. Residents can report suspected violations 24 hours a day by calling 210-704-7297 or submitting a report online at saws.org. SAWS has stated publicly that enforcement response times during Stage 3 are prioritized, and inspectors are actively deployed throughout Bexar County during known watering windows.

If you receive a citation you believe was issued in error — for example, if your drip irrigation system was misidentified as overhead spray, or if you had registered for a new-sod establishment exemption — SAWS has a formal customer appeals process through its customer service division. Document your exemption registration, any rain sensor shutoff logs, or irrigation controller records before contacting SAWS. Contesting a citation without documentation is unlikely to result in dismissal under the current emergency stage.

Other outdoor water rules

Stage 3 extends well beyond lawn irrigation schedules. The following activities are restricted or prohibited for all SAWS customers during the current drought emergency:

• Car washing: Washing vehicles at home with a hose is prohibited unless the hose has a self-closing nozzle and washing occurs on your assigned watering day during permitted hours. Commercial car washes that recycle water are permitted.
• Pool filling and refilling: Filling new pools is prohibited. Topping off existing pools to compensate for evaporation is allowed but limited — San Antonio's heat drives significant pool water loss, and SAWS advises pool covers to reduce evaporation during Stage 3.
• Fountains and decorative water features: Operation of ornamental fountains or water features that do not recirculate water is prohibited. Recirculating systems may continue operating.
• Pressure washing: Use of potable water for pressure washing driveways, sidewalks, or exterior building surfaces is prohibited, except for health or safety reasons.
• Construction water: Dust control and concrete curing using potable water require prior SAWS authorization during Stage 3.
• Restaurant water service: Restaurants may only serve water to customers upon request — automatic table service of water is prohibited.
• Irrigation system checks: Running an irrigation system purely to test or adjust it must occur on your assigned day and within permitted hours.

Water source and infrastructure

San Antonio draws the majority of its water supply from the Edwards Aquifer, a karst limestone aquifer that stretches across roughly 3,600 square miles of Central Texas. Unlike surface reservoirs that fill visually with rainfall, the Edwards recharges primarily through stream flows crossing the Balcones Escarpment recharge zone — water from rivers like the Medina, Frio, Sabinal, Nueces, and Guadalupe soaks through fractured limestone and replenishes the aquifer over days to weeks after significant rain events.

The J-17 index well, located in Bexar County, is the single most important measurement point SAWS and the Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA) use to monitor aquifer health and trigger drought stages. It functions like a dipstick for the entire San Antonio portion of the aquifer. The EAA, established under Texas Senate Bill 1477 (1993), holds regulatory authority over total pumping volumes, while SAWS manages distribution and end-use restrictions within its service territory.

SAWS has significantly diversified its supply portfolio over the past two decades to reduce dependence on the Edwards Aquifer alone. Current supplemental sources include the Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer (accessed via the Vista Ridge Pipeline, which began delivering water in 2020 from Burleson County), the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority (GBRA) surface water contract, and recycled water distributed through SAWS's purple-pipe reclaimed water system for landscape and industrial use. The San Antonio Water System's H2Oaks Center in northwest San Antonio serves as a major aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) facility, injecting treated water into the Edwards during wet periods for withdrawal during droughts.

Despite these additions, the Edwards Aquifer still supplies a substantial share of San Antonio's daily demand, which is why J-17 levels remain the central trigger for all drought stage decisions. When the aquifer is under stress, every gallon pumped for irrigation directly competes with drinking water supply and downstream spring flows at Comal Springs in New Braunfels — habitat for several federally listed endangered species including the Texas blind salamander.

Brown lawn protections in Texas

Texas homeowners are protected from HOA enforcement actions related to dormant or drought-stressed lawns under Texas Property Code § 202.007. This statute prohibits a property owners' association from fining, penalizing, or threatening enforcement against a homeowner who allows their lawn or landscaping to go dormant, turn brown, or die during a period of drought or water restrictions declared by the applicable water authority. Because SAWS has formally declared Stage 3 Drought Restrictions, § 202.007 protections are fully active for all San Antonio homeowners within HOA-governed communities.

The protection applies specifically during the period of declared restrictions and covers natural dormancy resulting from compliance with the watering schedule. It does not override HOA rules permanently or protect against violations unrelated to drought — such as failure to mow, weed removal requirements, or landscaping rules not connected to water use.

If your HOA sends a violation notice related to your lawn's appearance during Stage 3, you can respond in writing with the following template:

"Pursuant to Texas Property Code § 202.007, I am writing to formally notify [HOA Name] that the current condition of my lawn is the direct result of compliance with Stage 3 Drought Restrictions declared by the San Antonio Water System (SAWS). Under § 202.007, a property owners' association may not enforce deed restrictions, impose fines, or take any adverse action against a property owner whose landscaping has become dormant or died during a period of water restrictions issued by the applicable governmental authority. I request that this notice be removed from my account and that no further enforcement action be taken. If you have questions, please contact SAWS directly at 210-704-7297 or visit saws.org."

Lawn care during restrictions

San Antonio sits in a warm, semi-arid transition zone — hot summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 100°F, mild winters, and unpredictable rainfall. The grasses that survive here are heat-tolerant warm-season varieties, and during Stage 3 restrictions, managing them correctly on a single weekly watering day is critical.

In San Antonio's summer heat, the biggest risk to warm-season lawns during Stage 3 is not browning — it's crown death from heat combined with drought stress. Bermudagrass and buffalograss can go fully brown and dormant for weeks and recover when water returns; St. Augustinegrass, the most common lawn grass in Bexar County, has a shorter window before crowns die permanently, especially on sandy or compacted soils common in northwest San Antonio developments. If your St. Augustine has been brown for more than three to four weeks with no irrigation, probe the crown — if it snaps dry rather than bending, the grass may need resodding rather than just rewatering.

Adjust your mowing height upward during Stage 3: cut Bermuda at 1.5–2 inches and St. Augustine at 3–3.5 inches to reduce moisture loss and shade the soil surface. Avoid fertilizing — nitrogen pushes growth that demands water your lawn cannot get under a one-day-per-week schedule. SAWS's WaterSaver Landscape Coupon program offers rebates for replacing traditional turf with drought-tolerant native plantings — a worthwhile consideration given that Stage 3 restrictions may continue well into 2025 depending on Edwards Aquifer recovery.

Common questions about San Antonio water restrictions

What day can I water if my address ends in 6 or 7?

Your assigned watering day is Thursday. You may run your irrigation system on Thursdays only, between 5:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. or between 9:00 p.m. and midnight. Watering at any other time, or on any other day of the week including weekends, is a violation of SAWS Stage 3 restrictions.

When will Stage 3 restrictions end?

Stage 3 restrictions will not end on a set calendar date. SAWS will lift Stage 3 only after the Edwards Aquifer J-17 index well rises above 640 feet above mean sea level and holds that level for 15 consecutive days. As of the most recent measurement, J-17 is at approximately 625.9 feet — about 14 feet below the exit threshold. Even after significant rainfall, it typically takes weeks of sustained recharge events to move J-17 that far. You can monitor the current J-17 reading at saws.org.

Does SAWS use smart meters to catch watering violations?

Yes. SAWS has deployed smart meters across most of its service territory that transmit usage data in near-real time. The system can identify water flow occurring outside your permitted hours or on non-assigned days without requiring a neighbor complaint. SAWS inspectors also conduct physical patrols in residential neighborhoods, particularly during morning watering windows. If you receive a citation based on meter data, SAWS will have a timestamp of recorded usage to support the violation notice.

Can I wash my car at home during Stage 3?

Only if you use a hose with a self-closing (shut-off) nozzle and wash the vehicle on your assigned watering day during permitted hours. Running an open hose to wash a car is prohibited at all times during Stage 3. Commercial car washes that use recycled water are not subject to the same restriction and remain a practical option during the current drought.

Does drip irrigation count against my one watering day?

No. Drip irrigation and soaker hoses are exempt from the Stage 3 day and hour scheduling requirements. Because drip systems deliver water slowly and directly to root zones with minimal evaporation loss, SAWS does not restrict their use to a single day. This makes drip irrigation one of the most effective tools for keeping vegetable gardens, shrub beds, and newly planted natives alive during the current emergency without violating the schedule.

What rebates does SAWS offer for replacing my lawn right now?

SAWS operates the WaterSaver Landscape Coupon program, which provides rebates for homeowners who remove traditional turf and replace it with drought-tolerant, water-efficient landscaping. Rebate amounts vary depending on square footage converted and the type of replacement planting. SAWS also offers rebates on weather-based smart irrigation controllers, soil moisture sensors, and high-efficiency spray nozzles through its conservation rebate programs. During Stage 3, SAWS has emphasized these programs as a long-term alternative to struggling to keep traditional lawns alive on one watering day per week. Visit saws.org or call 210-704-7297 for current rebate availability and amounts.

Can I fill my pool or top it off during Stage 3?

Filling a new pool is prohibited during Stage 3. Topping off an existing pool to replace evaporation losses is permitted, but San Antonio's summer heat can evaporate several inches of pool water per week, so SAWS strongly recommends using a pool cover to minimize losses. If you are refilling after a repair or draining, contact SAWS directly at 210-704-7297 to determine whether a variance applies to your situation.

My HOA is threatening a fine because my lawn is brown — what do I do?

You are protected under Texas Property Code § 202.007, which prohibits HOAs from penalizing homeowners for lawn dormancy or browning caused by compliance with mandatory water restrictions. Send your HOA a written notice citing § 202.007 and the SAWS Stage 3 Drought Restriction declaration. Reference SAWS directly — you can also direct your HOA board to saws.org or 210-704-7297 for confirmation of the active restriction status. Keep a copy of your letter and any HOA response in case escalation becomes necessary.

What days can I water my lawn in San Antonio?

Last digit 0-1: Mon; 2-3: Tue; 4-5: Wed; 6-7: Thu; 8-9: Fri Hand watering with a shut-off nozzle is typically allowed any day during permitted hours.

What time can I water in San Antonio?

Watering is allowed 5am-10am and 9pm-midnight. Watering outside these hours is a violation even on your assigned day.

What are the fines for watering violations in San Antonio?

First offense: Citation. Repeat violations: Escalating fines. Contact San Antonio Water System (SAWS) for the full enforcement schedule.

Can I hand water during San Antonio water restrictions?

Yes. Hand watering with a hose fitted with a shut-off nozzle is generally allowed on any day during permitted hours. Drip irrigation and soaker hoses are also typically exempt from the day-of-week schedule. Confirm specifics with San Antonio Water System (SAWS).

How do I report a water waste violation in San Antonio?

Contact San Antonio Water System (SAWS) at 210-704-7297 or visit https://www.saws.org. Most utilities accept online reports and respond within 48 hours.