The beautiful green spaces and lush landscapes are a hallmark of life in The Woodlands. Maintaining this scenery requires a careful and responsible approach to water usage. As our community grows, so does the strain on our natural water supplies. To ensure a sustainable future, Woodlands Water has established a defined irrigation schedule and conservation guidelines for 2025. This guide provides everything you need to know about the current rules, why they matter, and how you can contribute to preserving our most vital resource.

This post will walk you through the specific watering schedules for your address, seasonal adjustments to keep your lawn healthy, and the penalties for not following the guidelines. We will also share practical tips for conserving water both indoors and outdoors.

Understanding the Defined Irrigation Schedule

To manage water consumption effectively, The Woodlands operates under a permanent, year-round defined irrigation schedule. This program is not a temporary drought measure but a long-term strategy to protect our aquifers. The schedule is based on your street address number.

Irrigation Schedule for Even-Numbered Addresses

If your address ends in 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8, you are permitted to water your lawn using a programmable irrigation controller during the following times:

• Wednesday: 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Thursday
• Saturday: 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday

Irrigation Schedule for Odd-Numbered Addresses

If your address ends in 1, 3, 5, 7, or 9, your designated watering times are:

• Tuesday: 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Wednesday
• Friday: 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Saturday

These rules apply to all properties within the Woodlands Water service area, including residences, businesses, schools, and churches. It’s important to note that this schedule only applies to programmable, in-ground irrigation systems. Watering by hand with a hose, using hose-end sprinklers, or employing drip irrigation is not restricted by this schedule.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Adherence to the schedule is crucial for the program’s success. To encourage compliance, a system of surcharges is in place for violations.

• First Notification: Serves as a formal warning.
• Second Notification: A $50 surcharge is added to your water bill.
• Third Notification: A $100 surcharge is applied.
• Fourth Notification: Results in a $200 surcharge.

If you are establishing a new lawn with sod or adding significant new landscaping, you can request a variance to avoid these penalties. Contact Woodlands Water to obtain the necessary permission for extra watering during the establishment period.

Seasonal Watering: Smart Irrigation for a Healthy Lawn

Effective water conservation goes beyond just following a schedule. It involves adapting your watering habits to the changing seasons. A lawn’s water needs in August are very different from its needs in April or November.

A Schedule for Every Season

• Summer: Water no more than twice per week, following your designated odd/even schedule. Aim to provide about one inch of water per week, including any rainfall.
• Spring and Fall: Reduce watering to once per week or pause it entirely, depending on rainfall and temperatures.
• Winter: Turn your irrigation system off. Only water manually during extended dry periods to protect your landscape.

Watering in the early morning, between 4 a.m. and 8 a.m., is the most efficient practice. This minimizes water loss from evaporation and wind, ensuring more water reaches the roots of your plants.

Why These Water Conservation Efforts Matter

The need for a defined irrigation schedule in The Woodlands stems from a serious regional issue: groundwater depletion. For decades, rapid population growth across Montgomery County has placed immense pressure on the aquifers that supply our drinking water. We have been drawing water out faster than nature can replenish it.

This over-pumping leads to two significant problems. First, it threatens the long-term availability of our water supply. Second, it increases the risk of subsidence, a phenomenon where the ground level sinks. Subsidence has already caused major problems in other parts of the Houston area, leading to increased flood risk.

By adopting sensible watering practices, we can help our aquifers recover, prevent subsidence, and ensure that future generations have access to a clean, safe, and sustainable water supply. It is a community-wide effort to be good stewards of this critical natural resource.

Practical Tips for Water Conservation

Beyond following the irrigation schedule, there are many simple yet effective ways to reduce your water consumption.

In Your Yard

• Upgrade Your System: Install a smart irrigation controller that automatically adjusts watering based on local weather data. High-efficiency nozzles and drip irrigation systems deliver water directly to plant roots with minimal waste.
• Choose Native Plants: Select native and adapted plants for your landscaping. These species are naturally suited to our local climate and require significantly less water once established.
• Use Mulch: Apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around your plants and trees. Mulch helps retain soil moisture, reduces evaporation, and suppresses weeds.
• Harvest Rainwater: Install rain barrels to capture runoff from your roof. This free, naturally soft water is perfect for watering plants and gardens.
• Check for Leaks: Regularly inspect your irrigation system for broken heads, leaks, or clogged filters. A single broken sprinkler head can waste hundreds of gallons during one cycle.

Inside Your Home

• Fix Leaks Promptly: A dripping faucet or a silent toilet leak can waste thousands of gallons per year. Use food coloring in your toilet tank to check for a worn-out flapper.
• Upgrade Fixtures: When renovating, choose WaterSense-labeled toilets, showerheads, and faucets, which use less water without sacrificing performance.
• Change Daily Habits: Shorten your showers by a few minutes, only run full loads in the dishwasher and washing machine, and turn off the tap while brushing your teeth.

A Collective Responsibility for a Sustainable Future

Water conservation in The Woodlands is more than just a set of rules; it’s a shared commitment to protecting our community’s environment and quality of life. By embracing the defined irrigation schedule and adopting water-wise habits, each resident plays a vital role in securing our water future. Your efforts contribute to a healthier ecosystem, protect our property from the risks of subsidence, and ensure that The Woodlands remains a vibrant and green community for years to come.