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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. If you follow the SAWS Seasonal Irrigation Program (SIP) , the recommendations you receive each week will help you do so. To register for the SIP program to receive free weekly irrigation advice through e-mail or phone messages.
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 1500-3000 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 don’t use the SIP program, what would be a good amount to apply in the middle of the summer?
Water need varies greatly in the spring and fall, so keeping the same setting year-round will result in over-watering that is not good for plants. However, in the absence of following the SIP program, use ¾” of water per week on St. Augustine or Zoysia grass that is in the full sun. In the shade grass will need only ½” of water to stay green and healthy. Bermuda grass requires ½” 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. SIP 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 ¾” 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?
Use drip irrigation for newly planted shrubs and trees. It is also best for the flower garden and vegetable garden. Soaker hoses and leaky hoses work well to accomplish drip irrigation. Turn the soaker hose spray to the ground and keep it operating at a slow leak to have it qualify as drip irrigation.
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 ¼" 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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