Water Conservation

Water Restrictions Currently In Place

The Town is currently in a modified version of stage 2 of our Emergency Water Demand Management Plan. Despite recent rain, local lake levels are still very low.  

The Upper Trinity Regional Water District (UTRWD) is currently in stage 1 of its Drought Contingency Plan for its service area, which includes Flower Mound. For the time being, UTRWD plans to keep the current outdoor watering restrictions in place. If you need a refresher, the following restrictions are still in place:

  • Watering lawns and gardens between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. is prohibited.
  • Outdoor watering with automatic systems or hose-end sprinklers is limited to no more than twice per week. 
    • Residents and businesses with street addresses ending in an even number can water on Sundays and Thursdays. 
    • Residents and businesses with street addresses ending in an odd number can water on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
  • Residents may refill swimming pools but only on their designated watering days.
  • Watering by means of a hand-held hose, bucket, or drip irrigation is permitted at any time.
  • Residents on well water are exempt from these restrictions.

Water users in Town who fail to follow the stage 2 restrictions could be subject to a fine of up to $500 for every day a violation is present. 

The Town of Flower Mound is also doing its part to reduce water usage by reducing the frequency of vehicle washing by 50 percent, continuing intensified leak detection and repair activities on waterlines, and reducing irrigation to two days per week. Town facilities and parks will be watered on the two days that correspond to their street address, and Town medians and green spaces will be watered on Tuesdays and Fridays.

The current water demand is approaching a level that could cause a reduced delivery capacity for all or part of the transmission system. With your help, we can avoid that reduction. For more tips on conserving water outdoors and in your home, visit www.flower-mound.com/waterconservation. 

To report a possible watering violation, please fill out a form at www.flower-mound.com/waterless.


Best Management Practices

Only four of the estimated 100 gallons of water used per person daily is actually necessary, according to the Chesapeake Bay Program and the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay. The EPA stresses that water usage in the home can be reduced by as much as 20 percent by implementing water conservation practices. These best management practices, recommended by the EPA, should translate into smaller water and sewage bills and are listed below:

  • Avoid using the garbage disposal system as much as possible.
  • Running your dishwasher and laundry machines with only full loads will decrease water usage. Also, use the shortest wash and rinse cycles at the lowest water level setting possible. Try to avoid using the permanent press cycle.
  • Take shorter showers and use a water-conserving showerhead instead of taking a bath.
  • When hand washing dishes, brushing teeth, shaving, or washing your face, do not let the water run continuously.
  • You can place two half-gallon plastic bottles filled with water into your toilet tank to reduce the amount of water used per flush.

Outdoor Watering Tips

  • Water your lawn only during the coolest time of the day to avoid the evaporation of water.
  • Increase the mulch on your trees, shrubs, and other plants (2-3 inches deep, the wider the circle the better).
  • Established trees may only need watering every two weeks.
  • When watering your trees, adhere to current water use restrictions and maximize the water you apply (avoid runoff).
  • To water a tree, water the area under the canopy of the tree, not just the base of the tree.
  • Learn how to care for trees during a drought here. 
  • Avoid trimming and fertilizing. 
  • Check your irrigation and fix any broken, clogged, or misaligned heads.
  • Check your irrigation to see how much you should water by visit www.watermyyard.org (there’s an app!)
  • To water your foundation, put a soaker hose or drip irrigation 8-18 inches from your foundation and water until the area is saturated to a depth of 8-10 inches.

Will your lawn survive if you only water two days per week?

Yes! Dr. Becky Bowling, Urban Water Specialist and turfgrass expert at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Center in Dallas, explains why watering your lawn two days per week or less is better for your lawn! This short video clip is from her longer presentation, "Lawn Care Basics for North Texas," which can be viewed here.

You should also check your sprinkler system for broken heads, spraying of hard surfaces, obstructing plants, misting, and more. Check out this video with Dean Minchillo, of the Texas A&M AgriLife Center in Dallas, to learn how to fix these issues and how to water effectively.