Grand Prairie sprinkler repair Logo
★★★★★ 4.9 out of 5 stars
based on 218 reviews

2025 Water Restrictions in Grand Prairie, TX

Water is a shared resource, and in North Texas, dry spells and rapid growth put real pressure on supplies. Grand Prairie has enacted Stage 1 water restrictions to protect the system and stretch our reserves. If you’re wondering what you can and can’t do with your sprinklers—and how to keep your yard healthy without wasting water—this guide breaks it down. You’ll learn the specific rules, why they matter, and practical ways to save water at home without sacrificing curb appeal.

Key Takeaways

  • Stage 1 restrictions limit landscape/lawn sprinkler use to reduce peak demand.
  • No sprinkler use is allowed on Wednesdays, Saturdays, or Sundays.
  • Even-numbered addresses may use landscape/lawn sprinklers on Mondays and Thursdays.
  • Smart watering habits, drought-tolerant landscaping, and simple upgrades can cut outdoor water use by 30–50%.
  • Small actions at home add up to big savings for the whole community.

What Stage 1 Water Restrictions Mean in Grand Prairie

Stage 1 is designed to reduce nonessential water use while keeping daily life manageable. The current rules for landscape and lawn sprinklers are:

  • No landscape/lawn sprinkler use on Wednesdays, Saturdays, or Sundays.
  • Even-numbered addresses may water with landscape/lawn sprinklers on Mondays and Thursdays.


If your address ends in 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8, your allowable sprinkler days are Monday and Thursday. On all other days—especially Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday—keep the sprinklers off. Hand-watering with a hose and spray nozzle or drip systems may be treated differently from sprinkler systems in many cities because they waste less water; however, always confirm the city’s latest guidance for non-sprinkler methods and any time-of-day rules.

Why this matters: Outdoor irrigation can account for 30–60% of a home’s water use in hot months. Trimming just a few minutes of watering or shifting watering days lowers peak demand on the water system and helps maintain pressure and supply for essential uses like drinking water and firefighting.

Why Conservation Counts—For You and the City

  • Reliability: When everyone waters at once, system demand spikes. Restrictions spread usage across the week, keeping pressure steady and reducing the risk of main breaks and service disruptions.
  • Cost control: Treating, pumping, and delivering water is expensive. Lower peak demand can reduce operational strain, helping keep long-term costs in check.
  • Drought resilience: North Texas weather swings hard. Efficient habits now help delay or avoid tougher restrictions if conditions worsen.
  • Landscape health: Overwatering harms turf and plants more than you might think. Proper scheduling and techniques build deeper roots and stronger, more resilient landscapes.

How to Adapt Without Sacrificing Your Yard

Water at the Right Time

  • Aim for early morning (before 10 a.m.), when temperatures and wind are lower. You’ll lose less to evaporation, and plants absorb more.
  • Avoid evening watering that leaves leaves and turf wet overnight, which can encourage fungal issues.

Right Amount, Right Place

  • Follow the “deep and infrequent” rule: 1 inch per week for most lawns, including rainfall. Use a rain gauge or tuna can to measure.
  • Split your schedule: Two shorter cycles back-to-back (e.g., 6 minutes, rest 30–60 minutes, then 6 minutes) reduce runoff and improve soak-in.
  • Target roots, not leaves. Drip irrigation and soaker hoses deliver water directly to the soil with minimal waste.

Upgrade Your Irrigation

  • Smart controllers: Weather-based controllers adjust runtimes based on rainfall, temperature, and plant needs. Many households save 20–30% on outdoor water use with this upgrade.
  • High-efficiency nozzles: Rotary nozzles apply water more slowly and evenly, cutting runoff.
  • Pressure regulation: Too much pressure creates misting and drift. Install pressure-regulating sprinkler heads or a regulator at the valve.
  • Fix leaks: A single small leak can waste hundreds of gallons per month. Check for soggy spots, hissing valves, or unusually high bills.

Choose Plants That Thrive Here

  • Go drought-tolerant: Native and adapted plants need less water once established. Consider blackfoot daisy, autumn sage, Mexican feather grass, and Texas sage for color and resilience.
  • Group by water needs: Put thirsty plants together and low-water plants together. You’ll irrigate efficiently without overwatering tough species.
  • Improve soil: Mix in compost to boost water retention and root growth. Healthy soil holds moisture longer and reduces watering frequency.
  • Mulch well: Two to three inches of organic mulch around trees and shrubs keeps soil cool, reduces evaporation, and suppresses weeds. Leave space around trunks and stems to prevent rot.

Rethink Your Lawn

  • Reduce turf in hard-to-water areas like slopes, narrow strips, and parkways. Replace with groundcovers, native beds, or permeable hardscape.
  • Choose warm-season grasses suited to North Texas, like Bermuda or Zoysia, which generally use less water than cool-season varieties.
  • Raise your mower blade: Taller grass (3–3.5 inches for many species) shades the soil, encourages deeper roots, and needs less water.

Capture Free Water

  • Rain barrels or cisterns: Collect roof runoff for beds and trees. A single 1,000-square-foot roof can yield hundreds of gallons in a moderate storm.
  • Direct downspouts to landscaped areas where water can soak in rather than run off the property.
  • Consider simple swales or rain gardens to slow and absorb rainfall.

Inside-the-Home Wins That Add Up

Outdoor use is the focus of Stage 1, but indoor savings still matter:

  • Fix running toilets and dripping faucets. A worn flapper can waste thousands of gallons a month.
  • Install WaterSense-labeled showerheads and faucets.
  • Run full loads in dishwashers and washing machines.

Building a Water-Wise Routine on Restricted Days

To stick with the schedule and still meet your plants’ needs, try this weekly plan for even-numbered addresses:

  • Monday (allowed): Early morning deep watering, focusing on zones that dry fastest (sunny turf, flower beds). Use cycle-and-soak to prevent runoff.
  • Thursday (allowed): Check soil moisture first. If the top 2–3 inches are dry, run a shorter cycle to top up. Skip if you’ve had rain.
  • Other days (not allowed for sprinklers, and especially no watering Wed/Sat/Sun): Hand-water new plantings or high-need containers as permitted, using a hose with a shutoff nozzle or drip. Maintain mulch, check for leaks, and adjust nozzles.


Tip: Use a soil screwdriver test. If a screwdriver slides 6 inches into the soil with moderate pressure, moisture is adequate. If it’s tough to push, your soil is dry.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Watering at midday when evaporation is highest.
  • Short, daily watering that promotes shallow roots and weak plants.
  • Overlapping spray patterns that lead to runoff down the curb.
  • Ignoring rainfall. Turn off your system for at least 48–72 hours after meaningful rain.
  • Forgetting trees. Mature trees add shade that


reduces water needs for the surrounding landscape, but they still require deep, infrequent watering to thrive. Neglecting to water trees properly during dry spells can lead to stress and long-term damage.

Seasonal Watering Tips

Adjusting your watering schedule based on the season is crucial for maintaining a healthy landscape. During cooler months, plants require less water, so reduce the frequency of your irrigation system. Conversely, during hot summer months, plants may need more water, but it’s best to water early in the morning or late in the evening when temperatures are lower to minimize evaporation. Always monitor local weather patterns and adjust accordingly.

The Benefits of Smart Irrigation Systems

Investing in a smart irrigation system can save time, money, and water. These systems use weather data and soil sensors to determine when and how much to water your lawn and garden. Smart controllers can be programmed to match your landscaping needs, significantly improving efficiency while reducing waste. They’re a great way to stay environmentally conscious while keeping your yard vibrant and healthy.

Grand Prairie General Information