See if your neighborhood is on the drought list.
Our water experts continuously monitor the water supply and demand conditions in order to be ready for a water shortage. We’re committed to doing what’s necessary to manage a potential drought situation and meet our customers’ need for water. In order to conserve the available water supply and to protect the integrity of our water supply facilities, we have adopted regulations and restrictions on the delivery and consumption of water during a drought. Please read our User Drought Contingency Plan (PDF) to learn about what we’ll do to ensure a secure public water supply.
How are drought stages issued? Good question!
Let’s define a drought – droughts are long lengths of time in which the land has a decreased water supply. There are two main causes that can lead to us issuing drought restrictions.
Source 1: High customer demand
As neighborhoods use a lot of water for non-domestic water uses, that can cause the water supply to be used up faster than is being replenished. Because of this, it’s important to conserve water so there is a normal supply for daily domestic use.
Source 2: Required by our water source authority
To protect the water source (either a surface body of water or an aquifer) and our ability to manage our supply, regulatory authorities monitor the levels of the water sources and see if the sources are being recharged by rain or other factors.
If the regulatory authority notices the level of the water source is decreasing and being recharged, it notifies the utilities that use it’s water source.
Once we are informed of a drought level, we must reduce our water usage. We send out notifications of the guidelines.
From there, it’s up to everyone to reduce and conserve your water usage so that everyone has enough for basic tasks.
Water Conservation Is a Way of Life
Do your part to conserve our precious supplies by small, thoughtful changes in your daily activities and habits. Small changes, if done on a large scale, add up to a big change. Every drop counts and every person can make a difference. Check out our water conservation section.
Please be respectful of our water supplies and reduce the impact of drought and water shortages by conserving water. How bad is the drought? See for yourself – a map of the Texas region from the U.S. Drought Monitor features areas of water shortages (new analysis released every Thursday).
Understanding Drought Water Usage Restrictions
The following applies to Texas customers of SouthWest Water-owned utilities. The User Drought Contingency Plan (UDCP) is a detailed document that outlines the restrictions in place for each drought stage and meant to help you reduce the impact of drought and water shortages. There are five stages (as listed below), and whenever a neighborhood is under drought stage notice, you will be notified by text and/or email, on the back of your monthly bill, and listed on this web page.
- Stage 4 – Exceptional (40% Mandatory Reduction)
- Stage 3 – Critical (30% Mandatory Reduction)
- Stage 2 – Alarm (20% Mandatory Reduction)
- Stage 1 – Mandatory (10% Mandatory Reduction)
- Awareness – Voluntary (10% Voluntary Conservation)
Please review the User Drought Contingency Plan (PDF) for details on restrictions and protocols.
Drought Stage Notices are in Effect for the Following Neighborhoods:
Hornsby Bend Utility Company
No Restrictions
Inverness Utility Company, Inc.
Stage 1 – Mandatory (10% Mandatory Reduction): Inverness Point
Mid-Tex Utilities
Stage 2 – Alarm (20% Mandatory Reduction)
Midway Water Utilities, Inc.
No Restrictions
Monarch Utilities I L.P.
Awareness – Voluntary (10% Voluntary Conservation): Aurora Vista, Briarwood Harbor, Pine Trail Shores
Stage 1 – Mandatory (10% Mandatory Reduction): Comanche Harbor/Ports O Call, River Oaks Ranch, Western Lake Estates
Stage 2 – Alarm (20% Mandatory Reduction): Comanche Cove, Crowley, Holiday Villages of Medina, Lake Medina Shores
Stage 3 – Critical (30% Mandatory Reduction):None
Stage 4 – Exceptional (40% Mandatory Reduction): None
Notice to Plum Creek Residents: Under extraordinary drought circumstances, we may require Plum Creek customers to further reduce consumption to meet Barton Springs/ Edwards Aquifer Conservation District drought restrictions. We will notify you should such an event occur.
Ni America Texas, L.L.C.
No Restrictions
SW Utility Company
No Restrictions
Water Services, Inc.
Stage 1 – Mandatory (10% Mandatory Reduction): Cascade, Center Point, Cedar Springs, Coolcrest, Country Bend, Heritage Park, Hills & Dales, Oak North, Oak Ridge, Platten Creek, River Bend Estates, Southern Hills, Verde Park, Vista Hills, Westwood Oaks Park, Winwood Oaks, Woodhaven Park
Stage 2 – Alarm (20% Mandatory Reduction):, Kestrel Park
Stage 3 – Critical (30% Mandatory Reduction): Oak Village North, Rocky Creek
Stage 4 – Exceptional (40% Mandatory Reduction): Windmill Ranch
Windermere Utility Company, Inc.
Stage 4 – Exceptional (40% Mandatory Reduction)
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