Drought Contingency Plan

In cases of dire water supply during extended drought conditions, the City has adopted a Drought Contingency Plan. In May 2023, the City Council amended the Drought Contingency Plan to include updated triggers, drought surcharges, and a drought surcharge appeal process. Since the amendments were adopted, the prolonged drought has continued and several surrounding entities, including the City’s triggers – Guadalupe Blanco River Authority (GBRA) and Trinity Glen Rose Groundwater Conservation District (TGRGCD), have also implemented Drought Contingency Plan updates.

To better align with triggering entities and expand flexibility in response to ongoing drought conditions, City Council reviewed and adopted updates to the Drought Contingency Plan on February 6, 2025, with a delayed effective date of April 1, 2025 to allow for ample communication time to Fair Oaks Ranch Utility Customers. The updates include expanding the number of drought stages from three to four and limiting drip irrigation in the revised Stages 3 and 4. All new updates have been highlighted below.

Stage 1
Triggers: 2/3 conditions must be met:

Test well averages less than or equal to 1045 feet for fifteen consecutive days
Water system's average daily production of Trinity Aquifer groundwater for the same fifteen consecutive days exceeds 1.2 million gallons per day.
GBRA or Trinity Glen Rose Groundwater Conservation District (TGRGCD) implements Stage 1 of their Drought Contingency Plan

Water restrictions imposed:

Reduce the use of all nonessential water.
Commercial car washing (using nonrecycled technology) is banned.
Reduce water main flushing to that required to maintain quality standards.
All landscaping permits have been rescinded and no new permits shall be issued, with an exception for newly built residential homes or with proof of new lawn purchase, as defined in Sec. 13.03.116, within the last seven (7) days prior to Stage 1 implementation. Residents may continue to water on their designated day or hand water by hose at any time.
Surcharges will go into effect for consumption over 20,000 gallons per residential account and 50,000 gallons per commercial account per billing period.

Stage 2
Triggers: 2/3 conditions must be met:

Test well averages less than or equal to 1035 feet for eight consecutive days
Water system's average daily production of Trinity Aquifer groundwater for the same eight consecutive days exceeds 900,000 gallons per day.
GBRA or Trinity Glen Rose Groundwater Conservation District (TGRGCD) implements Stage 2 of their Drought Contingency Plan

Water restrictions imposed:

In addition to the stage 1 water restrictions, ornamental water fountain usage is also banned, with the exception of fountains that use recirculating technology.
No sale of bulk water, unless work is being completed for the City.
Use of water from fire hydrants shall be limited to firefighting, related activities, or other activities necessary to maintain public health, safety, and welfare.
Landscape watering permits for new lawn purchases are rescinded and no new permits will be issued.
Golf Course watering is limited to the use of effluent and non-potable irrigation well water provided by the FORU wastewater treatment plant and wells unless approved by the City Manager or designee.
Surcharges will go into effect for consumption over 15,000 gallons per residential account and 40,000 gallons per commercial account per billing period.

Stage 3 (New Drought Stage)
Triggers: 2/3 conditions must be met:

The static water level in the FORU observation well is equal to or less than 1,025 feet above mean sea level for eight (8) consecutive days
The water system's average daily consumption of Trinity Aquifer groundwater for the same consecutive eight (8) days exceeds 700,000 gallons per day
Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority (GBRA) or Trinity Glen Rose Groundwater Conservation District (TGRGCD) implements stage 3 water reduction requirements of their drought contingency plan.

Water restrictions imposed:

In addition to the stage 1 and 2 water restrictions, landscape watering through an irrigation system is limited to once every other week
Power washing sidewalks, driveways, pavement, the outside of buildings or other impervious surfaces is prohibited
Watering with drip irrigation is allowed every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
Surcharges will go into effect for consumption over 10,000 gallons per residential account and 30,000 gallons per commercial account per billing period.

Stage 4 (Formally Drought Stage 3)
Triggers: 1/3 conditions must be met:

Test well averages less than or equal to 1020 feet
Water system's normal production of 1.2 million gallons per day of Trinity Aquifer groundwater cannot be maintained for seven consecutive days.
GBR or Trinity Glen Rose Groundwater Conservation District (TGRGCD) implements Stage 4 of their Drought Contingency Plan.

Water restrictions imposed:

In addition to Stage 1, 2, and 3 water restrictions, all nonessential water usage is strictly prohibited. This includes all landscape watering through irrigation and sprinklers. You may still hand water by hose.
Watering with drip irrigation is allowed once a week as determined by the year-round watering day schedule.
Golf course watering is limited to the use of effluent water provided by the FORU wastewater treatment plant or a water source other than that provided by FORU.
No new irrigation (with the exception of newly built homes) and swimming pool permits shall be issued. Swimming pools under construction during the implementation of this drought response shall be filled only with water purchased from a source other than FORU.
Hosston/Sligo aquifer water may be diverted to drinking water distribution if authorized by TCEQ.
No application for new, additional, expanded, or increased-in-size water service connections, meters, service lines, pipeline extensions, mains, or water service facilities of any kind shall be approved, and time limits for approval of such applications are hereby suspended for such time as this drought response stage is in effect.
Water-flow restrictors may be installed on customer meters.
Implementation of a surcharge as described in Stage 3 remains in effect.