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Year-round, landscape watering is allowed before 10 a.m. and after 8 p.m. every day. Watering by hand held hose or with a five gallon bucket is allowed any time, but water waste is prohibited at all times.
Watering Rules
What are the watering rules year-round?
- Significant amounts of water are lost to evaporation, and that is why it is only legal to water outdoor areas before 10:00 a.m. or after 8:00 p.m. (Although you can still water outdoors by hand at any time.)
- Do not allow water to run off the lawn into the street. It is water waste and subject to ticketing.
How do I report water waste when I see it?
You can call 210-704-SAWS and press the option for "Water
Waste" when you hear the prompt or you can report water waste online. The person who takes
the call will take down the information so someone can follow-up.
If the water waste is happening during SAWS business hours
(7:45 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.) you can also call the Conservation Department
directly at 704-SAVE to discuss the problem you are seeing.
We appreciate your help!
What happens after I place the call and report the problem? Will an officer show up to make them stop?
We do not have Water Officers on standby at all hours. Instead we follow-up with the location you have described by finding the responsible party and making certain that he or she is fully aware of the rules. Most people correct the problem with this intervention. However, if the problem continues the person and site will be placed on a "Water Waster List" to receive special attention from San Antonio Police Water Officers. If water waste is observed by the officers, the site will receive a ticket.
If I am not a SAWS customer, do I have to follow the rules for time of day and water waste?
The City of San Antonio sets the rules for water waste regardless of who supplies the water to a site. Therefore, well users and users of other water companies who reside in the City of San Antonio are subject to the rules and consequences. Many other communities around San Antonio have adopted similar rules for water waste.
Watering Efficiently
How do I know if I am using water well?
Make sure your system is operating well. Keep sprinkler heads adjusted to spray appropriate landscape areas and have your irrigation contractor check the system at least once every year. Next, review our advice on how much water to use with your hose-end or in-ground sprinkler system.
How much should I water?
Apply enough water to fill the whole soil profile. However, for personalized landscape watering advice, you may want to sign up for our WaterSaver e-newsletter. Every issue features advice from local horticulture experts on what to plant, when to fertilize and how to attract wildlife to your landscape.
What if I have a few brown spots appearing in my yard?
It is much more efficient to give your dry spots attention with hand held hoses rather than running your whole system. Home irrigation systems use between 1,500-3,000 gallons (or more for larger properties) each time they are run.
How much water do my trees and shrubs need?
Established trees and shrubs such as those on the SAWS recommended plant list do not need supplemental irrigation. They can survive dry periods well.
How often should I water?
In San Antonio water your lawn once per week to develop deep roots and grass capable of taking advantage of the rain when it comes.
If I haven’t signed up for the WaterSaver e-newsletter, what would be a good amount to apply in the middle of the summer?
Water needs vary greatly in the spring and fall, so keeping the same setting year-round will result in over-watering, which is not good for plants. As a reminder, the WaterSaver e-newsletter is an added value for our customers. Generally in the summer, use three-fourths of an inch of water per week on St. Augustine or Zoysia grasses that are in full sun. In the shade, grass only needs a half-inch of water to stay green and healthy. Bermuda grass requires a half-inch per week in the sun and buffalo grass slightly less.
How can I tell when I have put down ¾” of water?
To know how long to water, measure your sprinkler application rate. Measuring kits are available at SAWS Customer Service Centers with directions for use on the box. As an alternative, put out several shallow, straight sided containers (tuna cans, Tupperware, cake pans etc.) before watering. Water for 20 minutes and then check the depth of the water in your containers. Estimate the average of the depth to see how much water you put down in 20 minutes. It may be the full three-fourth of an inche or it could be a lot different. Every system is different, so it is important to measure.
What kind of sprinkler device should I buy to use with my hose?
Sprinklers that spray water parallel to the ground instead of up in the air are more efficient. You will lose less of the water to evaporation.
What about soaker hoses and drip irrigation?
Both soaker hoses and drip irrigation are best for flower beds, vegetable gardens and newly planted trees and shrubs. Soakers like the black rubber model and the flat green spray model work very well in most situations. Drip irrigation has a pressurized thick plastic or rubber tube with evenly spaced emitters.
How do I keep the soaker hose at a slow-drip and why?
Water from the soaker hose will spread out to the side of the hose and slowly seep deeply into the soil profile when the water is applied slowly. If it is applied too quickly, it may run-off and not penetrate to the roots that need it. To accomplish this effect, turn your hose bib only a quarter turn and observe the hose to see that it is slowly seeping along its length. Soaker hoses should not exceed 100 feet in length. If many soaker hoses are connected in series, the water will not be distributed to the end of the hose.
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