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Drought Information Center
| CURRENT STATUS: The City is currently under no drought restrictions. Please be advised that year-round, twice-a-week outdoor watering schedules will go into effect on Monday, April 3, 2023. View information about the new watering schedule here. |
The National Drought Mitigation Center maintains and publishes the U.S. Drought Monitor seen here. Four levels of drought conditions have been defined as related to the City’s water distribution system:
- Stage I Drought Conditions - To be initiated by the City Manager when lake levels reach 75% (Water Surface Elevation 729.2’).
- Stage II Drought Conditions - To be initiated by the City Manager when lake levels reach 61.5% (Water Surface Elevation 726.5’).
- Stage III Drought Conditions - To be initiated by the City Manager when lake levels reach 50% (Water Surface Elevation 723.7’).
- Stage IV Drought Conditions - To be initiated by the City Manager when lake levels reach 25% (Water Surface Elevation 716.2’) or emergency conditions.
All of these conditions are outlined in the City’s Water Conservation and Drought Contingency Plan.
Stage I Water Restrictions
(Expired on Aug. 7, 2022)
No unattended watering or irrigation between 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Customers must follow the weekly water schedule:
DAYS OF THE WEEK | TIMES ALLOWED TO USE WATER IRRIGATION SYSTEMS | |
| Non-Residential Sites (Apartments, Businesses, Parks, Common Areas) | Tuesday and Friday | 6 p.m. to 9 a.m. |
| Residential Addresses Ending in EVEN Numbers | Wednesday and Saturday | 6 p.m. to 9 a.m. |
| Residential Addresses Ending in ODD Numbers | Thursday and Sunday | 6 p.m. to 9 a.m. |
Note: Watering with irrigation systems is PROHIBITED for all property types on Mondays.
Exceptions:
- Watering of gardens used for growing food crops.
- Irrigation of new landscape is allowed at any time of day on any day for the initial 30-days provided that the irrigation is limited to the minimum amount necessary for establishment.
- Watering in of chemicals, including insecticides, pesticides, fertilizers, fungicides and herbicides is allowed anytime within 24 hours of application.
- Irrigation systems may be operated anytime for maintenance and repair purposes, not to exceed 20 minutes per hour per zone.
- Irrigation using a hand-held hose equipped with a spray nozzle that can be adjusted so water flows only as needed is allowed anytime.
- The use of water from a reclaimed water system is allowed anytime. A reclaimed water system includes systems in which the primary source is reclaimed water, which may or may not be supplemented from another source during peak demand periods.
Water users are also encouraged to reduce frequent swimming pool draining and refilling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were weekend days chosen as watering days?
Not everyone has an automatic irrigation system. Those who use hoses need some weekend time for watering. If your watering day is Saturday and you want to work in your yard on Saturday morning, try watering Saturday evening after you complete your yard work. Watch for signs of stress before watering. Just because you can water on a certain day doesn’t mean that you have to water.
Why is irrigation being limited?
The bulk of our public water supply is for residential water use and landscape irrigation can account for more than half of total residential use. Two day watering schedules have been shown to reduce overall water consumption by up to 33%.
When may I water with a soaker hose or drip irrigation?
You may water gardens or trees with a soaker hose or drip irrigation at any time on any day.
What is the penalty for violating the watering restrictions?
Violators may be subject to penalties up to $500.
How can I report an irrigation violation?
Community members can report violations by calling 817-645-0977.
Stage II Water Restrictions
(Effective Aug. 8, 2022. Stage II "Winter" began Nov. 1 but is now expired.)
- Non-essential water use will be prohibited.
Non-essential is defined as washing house windows, siding, eaves, and roof with a hose without the use of a bucket and a hose cutoff valve; washing driveways, streets, curbs and gutters; washing vehicles without a hose cutoff valve and bucket; draining filling swimming pools; and flushing water systems. - Outdoor unattended use of water will be permitted only one (1) day each week and only within the designated hours (NO WATERING 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
Attended watering with a hose with a spray nozzle with a shut off or watering with a bucket will not be restricted. Drip irrigation and use of soaker hoses will be restricted to the twice per week schedule. The single watering day schedule for unattended irrigation will be as follows:
Single Water Day Schedule – Unattended Irrigation | ||
DAY OF THE WEEK | SCHEDULE | |
Non-Residential Sites | Friday | Apartments, Businesses, Parks, Common Areas |
Residential Addresses Ending in EVEN Numbers | Saturday | 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 |
Residential Addresses Ending in ODD Numbers | Sunday | 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 |
No Watering Between 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. | ||
The City of Cleburne will institute the same regulations for the following City properties with their irrigations systems beginning Friday, July 29, 2022.
City Properties
- Facilities and Traditional Parks: All areas will be irrigated on Fridays only. These efforts will allow us to meet our water reduction target and staff will monitor usage to ensure the course remains within this target. Irrigation will not occur between 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.
(This applies to the: Bank Building, Booker T. Washington Recreation Center, Carver Park, City of Cleburne City Hall, Cleburne Chamber of Commerce, Cleburne Conference Center, Cleburne Public Library, Cleburne Regional Airport, CleTran Building/Parking Lot, Don Moore Field, Fire Stations, Granbury Right-of-Way, Police Station, McGregor Park, Municipal Services, public parking lot across from City Hall.) - Cleburne Golf Links: The Golf Course has a target to reduce irrigation water use by 30% during Stage II conditions. The greens are currently watered every day and will continue as such throughout the plan’s Stage II drought designation. In order to maintain the fairways with a minimum of grass coverage without causing permanent damage, irrigation will occur twice a week. All other areas will be irrigated on Fridays only. These efforts will allow us to meet our water reduction target and staff will monitor usage to ensure the course remains within this target. Irrigation will not occur between 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Cleburne Sports Complex: The Sports Complex utilizes treated wastewater (effluent) for its irrigation. The effluent is conveyed from the Wastewater Treatment Plant within the West Reuse Pipeline to a pond located at the Sports Complex where it is stored in order to irrigate the fields (baseball, soccer and football). Effluent is not suitable for human consumption and is therefore a drought-proof source of water for irrigation. The Sports Complex will continue normal operations, with no irrigation occurring between the hours of 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Splash Station - The Splash Pad will remain operational until the beginning of the school year, Tuesday, August 16, 2022.
Lake Pat Cleburne boat ramps are currently closed. Due to low water levels, the boat ramps have also been closed at Lake Pat Cleburne. The Buddy Stewart and the West Boat Ramp are closed, and the east boat ramp closed on July 22, 2022
Latest Updates
At the July 26, 2022 City Council Meeting ,the City of Cleburne's Current Water Utility and Drought Conditions were discussed. The presentation that was provided by Jeremy Hutt, Director of Public Works, can be seen here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is irrigation being limited?
The bulk of our public water supply is for residential water use and landscape irrigation can account for more than half of total residential use. Two day watering schedules have been shown to reduce overall water consumption by up to 33%.
When may I water with a soaker hose or drip irrigation?
You may water gardens or trees with a soaker hose or drip irrigation at any time on any day until the fall/winter restriction period begins. Once fall/winter restrictions are in effect, soaker hose and drip irrigation is prohibited.
What is the penalty for violating the watering restrictions?
Violators may be subject to penalties up to $500.
How can I report an irrigation violation?
Community members can report violations by calling 817-645-0977.
Stage II "Winter" Water Restrictions
(Effective Nov. 1, 2022 but is now expired)
The City of Cleburne remains in Stage II drought conditions. In accordance with the Water Conservation and Drought Contingency Plan, the City is preparing to transition into its seasonal adjustment of Stage II watering restrictions.
Previously, outside watering was limited to one day a week within designated hours. November marks the start of the fall/winter water conservation efforts of the plan, which prohibits all outside watering through the month of March. Should the City remain in Stage II Drought conditions, these restrictions will last until April 1.
Exceptions during Stage II "Winter"
- Watering by hand may occur any day and at any time.
- The use of water necessary for the repair of an irrigation system, plumbing repair, or fountain, etc. in the presence of the person making the repair.
Please be advised that beginning Tuesday, Nov. 1, landscape watering with sprinklers or irrigation systems for residential and business properties will not be allowed at any time. The use of well water, treated wastewater (effluent) or other alternative water supply sources for irrigation is exempt from this restriction.
Non-essential water use remains prohibited, which includes but is not limited to using water in such a manner that causes runoff or other waste. Read more details in the Water Conversation and Drought Contingency Plan. (Drought contingency measures begin on page 51).
City Water Use
In compliance with the plan, the City of Cleburne will further restrict its water use to the maximum extent possible for purposes that are not essential for health, safety and sanitary purposes. The Sports Complex will be irrigated using treated wastewater (effluent), which is recycled and not suitable for human consumption. The golf course will aim to reduce its water irrigation by 100% with the exception of watering the green and tee boxes, which will be reduced by 75%.
Latest Updates
The City of Cleburne's current water utility and drought conditions were discussed at the city council meeting on Oct. 11. The presentation that was provided by Jeremy Hutt, Director of Public Works, and it explained the history of the drought conditions, Cleburne's water sources, and other useful information. View the presentation here.
Please note: the City is currently in Stage II, but is trending toward Stage III drought conditions. All of the stages are outlined in the City’s Water Conservation and Drought Contingency Plan.
Water Conservation and Drought Contingency Plan
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) requires all municipal water suppliers to develop and implement a drought contingency plan. The City follows its Water Conservation and Drought Contingency Plan, which outlines processes and required measures for four levels of drought conditions – Mild, Moderate, Severe, and Emergency.
Water Conservation
For more information about water conservation and tips to reduce water use at your home please visit WaterIsAwesome.com. Water is Awesome is a campaign to encourage North Texas residents to be more efficient with their water use. Use it. Enjoy it. Just don't waste it. You can find Indoor Water & Outdoor Water Saving Tips, Weekly Watering advice and even Native and Adaptive Plants.