Southlake Water Restrictions 2025: Your Twice‑Per‑Week Guide

Keeping a healthy yard in North Texas shouldn’t mean wasting water. Southlake’s 2025 water restrictions make it simple: water smart, not more. The city follows a year-round, twice-per-week watering schedule tied to your street address. In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how the schedule works, why conservation matters, and how to keep your landscape thriving with native plants, mulch, and smart irrigation—without breaking the rules or your budget.

What you’ll learn:

How Southlake’s twice-per-week watering schedule works in 2025
Best times to water and what systems are allowed
Practical tips for lawns, beds, trees, and new plantings
How native plants, mulch, and smart controllers save water and money
A step-by-step checklist to stay compliant and keep your yard healthy

Southlake’s 2025 Watering Rules at a Glance

Southlake enforces a permanent, twice-per-week watering schedule. Your assigned days depend on your address. The goal is to reduce evaporation, limit waste, and balance demand across the city—especially during summer.

Key points:

Frequency: Two days per week for automatic irrigation (sprinkler systems and hose-end sprinklers).
Timing: Water before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m. to minimize evaporation and wind drift.
Methods: In-ground sprinklers and hose-end sprinklers are limited to assigned days. Hand-watering and drip irrigation often have more flexibility but should still be used wisely.
Coverage: Applies to homes, HOAs, and businesses citywide.
Look up your days: Use the city’s Water Smart page to find your designated schedule by address, then program your controller to match.

Why it works: Outdoor irrigation can drive 30–50% of household use in hot months. Spreading that water across set days keeps pressure off the system and reduces peak demand, which lowers costs and helps avoid tighter restrictions.

Why Conservation Matters (For Your Yard, Wallet, and City)

Conservation isn’t just about saving a few gallons—it’s about resilience.

Healthier plants: Deep, less frequent watering encourages roots to grow down where the soil stays cooler and moister. That means stronger turf and fewer brown patches in August.
Lower bills: Efficient watering and fewer run cycles show up on your monthly statement. Smart controllers and rain sensors prevent watering when you don’t need it.
System reliability: Peak summer demand strains treatment and delivery systems. Following the schedule helps prevent outages and emergency restrictions.
Community benefit: Every gallon you save keeps more water in the system for neighbors, parks, and emergency use.

How Much Water Your Landscape Really Needs

Aim for roughly 1 inch of water per week during peak summer for most warm-season lawns (Bermuda, St. Augustine, Zoysia)—including rainfall. Adjust up or down in spring and fall based on weather.

Seasonal targets:

Spring: 0.5–1.0 inch/week, depending on rainfall
Summer: About 1 inch/week, split across your two assigned days
Fall: 0.5–0.75 inch/week as temperatures ease
Winter: Water sparingly during extended dry spells to protect roots

Simple ways to measure:

Tuna can test: Place a few shallow cans around your yard and run your system. Stop when the average reaches your target (about 0.5 inch per cycle in summer).
Screwdriver test: If a screwdriver slides 6 inches into the soil with moderate pressure, you’ve watered enough.

Use cycle-and-soak:

Clay soils common in North Texas shed water if you run zones too long. Split each zone into two shorter cycles with a 10–15 minute pause to let water soak in. Example: Two 10-minute cycles instead of one 20-minute run.

Practical Compliance Tips for 2025

Staying compliant is easy once you set up your system the right way.

Program your controller for only your two assigned days; turn off all others.
Water before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m. to reduce evaporation and wind drift.
Add a rain/freeze sensor. It’s inexpensive, often required, and prevents waste.
Use seasonal adjust. Most controllers let you dial up or down by percentage as weather changes.
Try a rain delay. If you get a half inch of rain or soil is still moist, hit the 24–72 hour delay.
Audit your system monthly. Watch a full run to catch leaks, misaligned heads, or overspray onto sidewalks and streets.

Common mistakes to avoid:

Watering daily “just a little.” That creates shallow roots and weeds. Deep, less frequent watering is healthier.
Setting the same runtime for every zone. Sunny west-facing turf needs more than shady areas and beds on drip.
Watering at midday. Evaporation skyrockets, and wind drift wastes water.
Ignoring wind. Strong gusts can throw spray off target; consider a wind skip feature if available.

Build a Water-Wise Yard That Still Looks Great

You can have a lush, colorful landscape on a twice-per-week schedule by focusing on plant selection, soil health, and efficient delivery.

Choose Native and Adaptive Plants

Native and well-adapted species thrive in our climate with less water, fertilizer, and pest pressure. Many offer long bloom seasons and support pollinators.

Southlake-friendly picks:

Shrubs: Texas sage (Leucophyllum), dwarf yaupon holly, abelia
Perennials: Black-eyed Susan, Salvia greggii, lantana, Turk’s cap
Ornamental grasses: Gulf muhly, little bluestem, inland sea oats (shade)
Trees: Cedar elm, bur oak, Mexican plum, desert willow

Design tips:

Group plants by water needs (hydrozoning). Put thirsty plants together near a hose or drip zone; place drought-tolerant species in separate zones.
Right plant, right place. Match sun/shade, soil, and mature size to avoid stress and extra watering.

Mulch: Small Effort, Big Impact

Mulch conserves moisture, stabilizes soil temperature, and suppresses weeds.

Depth: 2–3 inches in beds; refresh each spring.
Placement: Keep mulch a few inches away from trunks and stems to prevent rot.
Payoff: Mulch can reduce watering needs in beds by 25% or more, especially when paired with drip irrigation.

Improve Your Soil

North Texas clay benefits from added organic matter and aeration.

Topdress lawns with 0.25–0.5 inch of compost in spring or fall to boost water holding.
Core aerate compacted areas so water penetrates instead of running off.
In beds, mix compost into the top 6–8 inches before planting to support deep roots.

Convert Spray to Drip in Beds

Drip targets the root zone and reduces evaporation and overspray.

Use 0.5–1 gph emitters for shrubs and perennials; space inline drip lines 12–18 inches apart.
Cover drip with mulch to protect lines and improve appearance.
Adjust runtimes for drip. It runs longer than spray but at much lower flow, delivering water where it matters.

Smart Irrigation: Save Water Automatically

Smart controllers and sensors take the guesswork out of compliance and watering needs.

Weather-based controllers use forecast and historical data to adjust schedules daily.
Soil moisture sensors pause watering when the root zone has enough water.
Flow sensors detect leaks or broken heads and can shut down affected zones.
App control lets you run a quick test cycle, enable rain delay, or tweak runtimes from your phone.

Quick setup checklist:

Enter your address, sun/shade exposure, plant types, nozzle precipitation rates, and soil type for each zone. Accurate inputs produce accurate schedules.
Enable rain, freeze, and wind skip features if available.
Lock your watering days to match Southlake’s assigned schedule.

Tip: Photograph each zone and label it in your app (e.g., “Front lawn west,” “Back bed drip”) so adjustments are fast and precise.

A Week-in-the-Life Watering Plan (Summer Example)

Monday: Inspect mulch depth, check soil moisture with a screwdriver in trouble spots, and hand-water new transplants if needed.
Tuesday (assigned day): Run a deep cycle using cycle-and-soak. Verify coverage and look for overspray on pavement.
Wednesday: Prune and deadhead to reduce plant stress; check for leaks around valves and backflow preventer.
Thursday: Review the forecast. If rain is likely within 24 hours, set a rain delay.
Saturday (assigned day): Second deep cycle. After watering, spot-check soil depth at 3–6 inches. Adjust runtimes if some zones lag behind.
Sunday: Quick system visual—are any heads knocked out of alignment
Monthly Task (First Saturday): Perform a comprehensive irrigation audit. Check for uneven watering, inspect all nozzles for clogging, and ensure the system is operating efficiently. Replace any broken or worn parts as needed.
Seasonal Adjustment (Start of Summer): Increase runtimes slightly in anticipation of hotter, drier conditions. Verify that all plants are receiving adequate hydration without water waste.
Annual Maintenance (Early Spring): Flush the system before starting seasonal watering. Inspect mainlines, emitters, and backflow preventers for winter damage. Calibrate the controller for optimal performance throughout the growing season.
Winterization (Late Fall): Before freezing temperatures arrive, drain the system thoroughly to prevent damage caused by expanding ice. Use compressed air to clear any remaining water from the pipes, and disconnect timers or controllers if they are not weatherproof. Cover exposed components to protect them from snow, ice, and harsh winter conditions.
Monitoring and Adjustments (Ongoing): Regularly observe the system’s performance during watering cycles. Look for signs of overwatering, such as pooling water or soil erosion, as well as underwatering, indicated by wilting plants or dry soil. Make adjustments as necessary to maintain an efficient and effective irrigation system.
Seasonal Start-Up (Spring): When the winter season is over and temperatures begin to rise, it’s important to properly restart your irrigation system. Begin by inspecting all components for any damage that may have occurred during the winter, such as cracked pipes or clogged nozzles. Gradually turn the water supply back on to avoid pressure surges that could harm the system. Test each zone to ensure proper water coverage and adjust sprinkler heads or emitters as needed. It’s also a good time to check for leaks and recalibrate timers to align with seasonal watering requirements.

Understanding Water Restrictions

Many regions implement water restrictions during certain times of the year to conserve this vital resource. These restrictions often limit the days and times when irrigation systems can be used. It is essential to familiarize yourself with the local guidelines to avoid penalties and ensure responsible water usage. Homeowners can adapt by prioritizing efficient watering practices, such as using drip irrigation systems and watering during early morning or late evening hours to reduce evaporation. Incorporating drought-tolerant plants into landscapes can also minimize water needs while supporting compliance with restrictions.

Innovative Solutions for Water Conservation

Communities are increasingly exploring innovative methods to address water scarcity concerns. Techniques such as rainwater harvesting, greywater recycling, and soil moisture sensors offer practical solutions for conserving valuable resources. These approaches not only support local compliance but also promote sustainable living practices. By adopting these technologies, homeowners and businesses alike can significantly reduce their water footprint while contributing to a more resilient and environmentally conscious future.

Conserving water is a collective responsibility that requires thoughtful planning and action. Regular maintenance of irrigation systems to check for leaks, monitoring weather forecasts to avoid unnecessary watering, and educating household members about water-saving practices can make a significant difference. By implementing these strategies, homeowners can contribute to preserving this vital resource while maintaining healthy and sustainable landscapes.