Stage 1 restrictions begin when the 10-day rolling average of the Edwards Aquifer level drops to 660 feet mean sea level at the monitored well. Coming out of drought stages can be considered 15 days after the aquifer is above the trigger.
- Water waste is prohibited at all times. Water waste includes allowing water to run off into a gutter, ditch, or drain; or failing to repair a controllable leak.
- Watering with an irrigation system, sprinkler or soaker hose is allowed only once a week midnight – 10 a.m. or 9 p.m. – midnight on your designated watering day.
- Watering with a hand-held hose, bucket or watering can is allowed any time and any day.
- Watering with drip irrigation is permitted Monday/Wednesday/Friday, but only midnight – 10 a.m. and 9 p.m. – midnight.
- Watering days begin and end at midnight; overnight watering is not allowed.
- You should reduce water consumption by any means available.
- All residential fountains and indoor commercial fountains can operate at any stage of drought. Outdoor commercial fountains must have a SAWS variance in order to operate during drought stages 1 through 4.
- Washing impervious cover such as parking lots, driveways, streets or sidewalks is prohibited. Health and safety exceptions to this rule may be requested from SAWS here.
- Residential car washing allowed during drought once per week on Saturday or Sunday as long as there is no water waste.
- The use of SAWS-certified commercial car wash facilities is allowed any day.
- Operators of golf courses, athletic fields, and parks must submit a conservation plan to SAWS. For submittal requirements, operators should contact SAWS Conservation Department at 210-704-SAVE. Golf courses, athletic fields, and parks may not irrigate between the hours of 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.
- Landscape areas on golf courses not directly “in play” are required to follow one-day-per-week watering based on address unless otherwise instructed by SAWS.
Landscape Watering
Watering with an irrigation system, sprinkler or soaker hose is allowed only once a week midnight – 10 a.m. or 9 p.m. – midnight on your designated watering day.
Areas without a street address, such as medians and neighborhood entryways, water on Wednesday.
Water for Generations
San Antonio’s cheapest source of water is conservation — water we don’t use. That’s why our proven conservation programs have become a cornerstone of the community’s long-term water management and supply strategy.
With your help, we can keep SAWS rates among the lowest in the nation, while managing tomorrow’s water today.