Water Restrictions FAQs

The purpose of the drought contingency plan is to:

• Conserve and limit the demand of water during water emergencies
• Minimize the adverse impacts of water supply shortages or other emergencies
• Manage available water resources

Stage 2 occurs when the combined levels of Falcon and Amistad reservoirs, our main source of drinking water, fall below 25%. This stage restricts water use to reduce total usage by 5%.

The plan applies to all people, customers and property using BPUB’s water. There is no preference given to any customer or customer class.

BPUB General Manager & CEO and the mayor initiate the different drought stages.

• Landscape irrigation will be limited to 2 times per week based on the last digit of the service address and will only be allowed from midnight through 7 a.m. and from 7 p.m. through midnight.
  • Landscape irrigation including, but not limited to, irrigation systems and hose-end sprinklers, hand-held garden hose, soaker hose, hand-held bucket or water can, no larger than five (5) gallons in capacity, or drip irrigation system will be limited to two (2) times per week based on the last digit of the service address and that such irrigation will occur from midnight through 7:00 a.m. and from 7:00 p.m. through midnight.
  • New landscaping plants may be irrigated any day during Stage 2, but a property owner must apply for a Landscape Irrigation Variance with BPUB. The variance will be for 4 weeks, and the property owner may reapply for another 4 weeks. Customers can apply for a variance at the BPUB website.
  • Non-essential water use is prohibited.
• Non-essential water use prohibited
  • Washing sidewalks, walkways, driveways, parking lots or other hard-surfaced areas except to alleviate public safety and/or health hazards
  • Using water to wash buildings or structures for purposes other than fire protection or in preparation for painting
  • Using water for dust control except to alleviate public safety or health hazards
  • Flushing gutters or permitting water to run or accumulate in any gutter or street
  • Failing to repair leaks within a reasonable period after given notice.
• Washing of motor vehicles, boats, trailers or other vehicles is prohibited except on water days and times (midnight through 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. through midnight).
  • Fundraising car washes fall under the same restrictions.
• Restaurants are prohibited from serving water to customers unless requested
• Water use restrictions for golf courses are based on water management plans.

There are no restrictions on laundromats during Stage 2, but there are under Stage 3.

There are no restrictions on commercial car washes during Stage 2, but there are under Stage 3.

Customers found violating Stage 2 restrictions may receive a notice of violation from the city or a warning of a violation from BPUB personnel. No fines are included with the violation, and customers won’t have service disconnected.

There will be no change to the rates under Stage 2.

The Resaca Maintenance Fee will not be waived during Stage 2. The work is funded through the Resaca Maintenance Fee and will help better prepare our community for drought by adding more water storage.

If the combined levels of Falcon and Amistad reservoirs reaches 15%, Stage 3 of the Drought Contingency Plan could be initiated. Stage 3 would bring additional restrictions and limits on how much water a customer can use in a month. Customers who use beyond their allocated amount of water will have additional surcharges assessed on the water used over the rationed amount.