It feels like San Antonio has been in a drought for ages. Hearing the phrase "water restrictions" has become a popular conversation starter among neighbors.

We're here to talk conservation and explain what it means to have drought restrictions, when it's your time to water, and how to avoid a non-compliance charge.

Let's flow into it.

Water restriction breakdown

The San Antonio Water System (SAWS) keeps water restrictions in place in order to preserve the region's water level. The different stages of restrictions are determined by the amount of water in the Edwards Aquifer.

Year-Round Watering | Occurs when the aquifer is above 660 ft. Customers can water with an irrigation system or hose between midnight to 10 a.m. or 9 p.m. to midnight.

Stage 1 Drought Restrictions | Are in place when the water level average falls below 660 ft. Irrigation or sprinkler watering is allowed once a week from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. or 9 p.m. to midnight.

Stage 2 Drought Restrictions | Occurs when the aquifer is at 650 ft. Irrigation or sprinkler watering is allowed once a week from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. or 9 p.m. to midnight.

Stage 3 Drought Restrictions | When the aquifer is at 640 ft. Allows landscape watering once a week.

Stage 4 Drought Restrictions | May be declared by the authority of the City Manager + SAWS President/CEO when the water supply is insufficient to meet the customer demand. During this stage, landscape watering is allowed once every other week.

Pro tip: Your watering day is determined by the last number of your street address.

Avoid the fee

Since May 2024, SAWS will no longer offers municipal citations. Instead, the water authority now adds a water waste non-compliance charge for those watering outside of their designated day.