Water Restrictions Are in Effect Across Dripping Springs — Here's What You Need to Know
Jordan Blackburn · April 4, 2026
Water Restrictions Are in Effect Across Dripping Springs — Here's What You Need to Know
If you've been watering your lawn on autopilot this spring, it's time to change the schedule. Mandatory water restrictions are now in effect for most Dripping Springs households — and depending on which water provider serves your property, the rules are different.
Here's a plain-English breakdown of what's in place, who it affects, and what you should actually be doing differently.
City of Dripping Springs Customers: Stage 2 in Effect
On March 25, 2026, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) required the City of Dripping Springs to enforce Stage 2 Mandatory Water Restrictions. That means:
- Outdoor irrigation is limited to once per week
- Automatic sprinkler systems must follow the assigned watering schedule
- Violations can result in fines
If you're served by the City of Dripping Springs water system — which covers most of the city limits, including the downtown area, Mercer Street corridor, and many newer neighborhoods — Stage 2 applies to you.
For your specific assigned watering day, check the City's website at cityofdrippingsprings.com or call (512) 858-4725.
Dripping Springs WSC Customers: Stage 4 in Effect
If you live west of downtown DS or in rural areas served by the Dripping Springs Water Supply Corporation (DSWSC), your restrictions are more severe. The DSWSC Board implemented Stage 4 watering restrictions back in May 2025 — and they're still in effect today.
Under Stage 4:
- Automatic sprinklers are prohibited entirely — and if you have a dedicated irrigation meter, DSWSC staff will shut it off
- Drip irrigation is also prohibited
- Only hand-held hose watering (with a positive shut-off nozzle) is allowed
- Once per week, by scheduled day:
| Customer Type | Odd-numbered address | Even-numbered address | |---|---|---| | Residential | Saturday | Sunday | | Commercial / HOA Common Areas | Friday | Tuesday | | Schools | Monday | Monday |
- Watering hours: 7–10 AM or 7–10 PM only (not both in the same day)
This isn't a temporary bump — Stage 4 was triggered by sustained aquifer declines and has been in place for nearly a year.
For full details, visit drippingspringswater.com.
Why Is This Happening?
It's not just a policy decision. The Trinity Aquifer — the primary underground water source for much of Dripping Springs — has been under serious stress.
Aquifer levels west of Dripping Springs have been declining for months due to low rainfall and a lack of recharge. The Dripping Springs WSC cited "continued declines in aquifer water levels and a lack of substantial rainfall/recharge west of Dripping Springs" when it moved to Stage 4 last year.
On the City side, TCEQ stepped in directly on March 25 to require Stage 2 restrictions on the wholesale water supply — meaning this isn't just a local policy choice. The state is involved.
What Does This Mean in Practice?
For most homeowners and landscapers, here's the practical reality:
- Check your provider. Not sure who serves your property? Your water bill will show whether it's the City of Dripping Springs or Dripping Springs WSC.
- Cancel your automatic irrigation schedule and replace it with your assigned manual watering day.
- If you're on DSWSC, disconnect your auto-sprinkler system. Running it is a violation under Stage 4.
- New landscaping and lawns are particularly vulnerable — you may need to prioritize what you water manually.
- Consider drought-tolerant plants for any new landscaping this spring. Native Hill Country plants (like Turk's cap, Texas sage, and black-eyed Susan) are adapted to exactly these conditions.
Why It Matters
Dripping Springs has grown fast, and so has the demand on local water supplies. The aquifer doesn't recharge overnight — it takes significant rainfall over a long period, and the Hill Country hasn't gotten that lately.
The restrictions in place aren't just about your lawn. They're about making sure the community has water for drinking, cooking, and daily life through what could be a long, hot Texas summer ahead.
If you're looking for ways to reduce your outdoor water use more permanently, there's also a free rainwater harvesting workshop coming up on April 28 in Dripping Springs — more on that below.
Questions?
- City customers: cityofdrippingsprings.com or (512) 858-4725
- DSWSC customers: drippingspringswater.com or (512) 858-7897