When water useage is restricted in the City of Garden Ridge useage is regulated by
Ordinance #61-072008. Requirements 1 and 2 of Stage 1 apply throughout the year unless
a stricter stage is in effect. Useage he ordinance gives definitions and a full description of use requirements and penalites. (PDF format Ordinance 61-072008 155k.)

Demand Reduction Measures
Appendix A of Ordinance 61-072998

Stage One Water Restrictions - Edwards Aquifer level 660'

Stage One Alert begins when the Edwards Aquifer Test Well J-17 level reaches 660 feet mean sea level at the monitored well.

1. *Water waste is prohibited to include, allowing water to run off onto a gutter, ditch, or drain; or failing to repair a controllable leak.

2. *Watering with an irrigation system or sprinkler, permitted only during the hours of 12 am to 10 am and 8 pm to 12 am.

3. Watering with an irrigation system or sprinkler, permitted only once a week on the designated watering day:

Last Digit of Address - Day You Can Water

0 or 1 Monday
2 or 3 Tuesday
4 or 5 Wednesday
6 or 7 Thursday
8 or 9 Friday

Areas without a street address, such as medians, neighborhood entryways or common areas water on Wednesdays.

4. Watering with hand-held hose or drip irrigation permitted any day, any time.

5. Residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural Edwards Aquifer water users should reduce water consumption by any means available.

6. Pools must be covered at least 25% when not in use.

7. Washing impervious cover such as parking lots, driveways, streets or sidewalks is prohibited.

8. Non-commercial washing of vehicles and mobile equipment (e.g. washing vehicles at a residence) is permitted only on assigned residential landscaping sprinkling watering days and time with a hose using an automatic shut-off nozzle or bucket of 5 gallons or less.

9. Restaurants and other eating establishments are prohibited from serving groundwater to customers except upon request of the customer.

10. Aesthetic fountains, waterfalls, etc. (outdoor and/or indoor) are prohibited unless water is re-circulated or recycled.

11. No building permits will be issued to homeowners or pool contractors for the construction of new swimming pools unless verification is provided that 100% of water for filling of pool will be brought in from a water source outside of Garden Ridge.

12. Restrictions apply to well users.

This does not apply to non- potable water, gray water, or treated effluent.

Stage 1 restrictions continue until there is an announcement that Stage 1 has been canceled or that Stage 2 is in effect.

*Requirements 1 and 2 of Stage 1 apply throughout the year unless a stricter stage is in effect.

STAGE 2 - Edwards Aquifer level 650'

Stage Two Alert begins when the Edwards Aquifer Authority Test Well J-17 level reaches 650 feet mean sea level at the monitored well.

1. All restrictions from Stage 1.

2. Watering with an irrigation system or sprinkler, permitted only once a week on the designated watering day during the hours of 3 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.:

Last Digit of Address - Day You Can Water

0 or 1 Monday
2 or 3 Tuesday
4 or 5 Wednesday
6 or 7 Thursday
8 or 9 Friday

Areas without a street address, such as medians, neighborhood entryways or common areas water on Wednesdays.

3. Watering with drip irrigation or a 5 gallon bucket permitted during the hours of 3 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. any day.

4. Watering with a hand held hose permitted any day, any time.

5. Filling of existing swimming pools is prohibited unless at least 30% of the water is obtained from a source other than City provided. Groundwater may be used to replenish swimming pools to maintenance levels. Drainage of swimming pools is permitted only onto a permeable surface or onto a pool deck where water is transmitted directly to a permeable surface.

6. Washing cars at home is permitted only during the designated watering day with a positive shut-off hose. Water runoff onto streets is prohibited.

7. No building permits will be issued for the construction of new swimming pools.

8. Water customers subject to a 100% surcharge for use over 35,000 gallons.

This does not apply to non- potable water, gray water, or treated effluent.

Stage 2 restrictions continue until there is an announcement that Stage 2 has been canceled or that Stage 3 is in effect.

STAGE 3 - Edwards Aquifer level 640'

Stage Three Alert begins when the Edwards Aquifer Authority Test Well J-17 level reaches 640 feet mean sea level at the monitored well.

1. All restrictions from Stage 2.

2. Watering with an irrigation system or sprinkler is permitted every other week beginning on the second Monday after Stage III has been declared and only on designated watering day from 3 a.m. – 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Last Digit of Address - Day You Can Water

0 or 1 Monday
2 or 3 Tuesday
4 or 5 Wednesday
6 or 7 Thursday
8 or 9 Friday

3. Watering with a drip irrigation or 5 gallon bucket permitted during the hours of 3 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

4. Watering with a hand held hose permitted any day, any time.

5. Watering newly planted landscapes permitted only with a variance from Garden Ridge City Council.

6. Washing cars at home is permitted only during the designated watering day during the hours of 3 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. to 10 P.M.

7. Water runoff onto streets is prohibited.

8. No person may use groundwater or city provided water for an ornamental outdoor fountain or similar feature.

9. No building permits will be issued for the construction of new swimming pools.

10. Water customers subject to a 100% surcharge for use over 35,000 gallons

This does not apply to non- potable water, gray water, or treated effluent.

Stage 3 restrictions continue until there is an announcement that Stage 3 has been canceled or that Stage 4 is in effect.

STAGE 4

Stage Four Alert begins when the Edwards Aquifer Authority Test Well J-17 level reaches 630 feet mean sea level at the monitored well.

1. All restrictions in Stage 3.

2. No person may use groundwater for an ornamental outdoor fountain or similar feature.

2. Water customers subject to a 200% surcharge for use over 35,000 gallons.

3. Additional restrictions on water use may be established at the discretion of the City Council.

This does not apply to non- potable water, gray water, or treated effluent.

Stage 4 restrictions continue until there is an announcement that Stage 4 has been canceled or that Stage 5 is in effect.

STAGE 5

Stage Five Alert begins when declared by the Edwards Aquifer Authority.

1. All restrictions in Stage 4.

2. Conditions as directed by the Mayor and City Council

3. Use Necessary for Public Health or Safety.

4. Notwithstanding any provision of these rules, groundwater may be used when and to the extent it is necessary to prevent danger to public health, safety or welfare or to the extent required by State or Federal law.

5. Water customers subject to a 200% surcharge for use over 35,000 gallons.

This does not apply to non- potable water, gray water, or treated effluent.