Forney TX Water Restrictions 2025

Water is a shared resource in Forney, and the way we use it now shapes what’s available later—especially during hot, dry months. In 2025, the City of Forney continues to enforce clear watering rules to conserve supplies while helping residents keep landscapes alive. This guide explains the current restrictions, why they matter, and practical tips to stay compliant without sacrificing a healthy lawn and garden.

By the end, you’ll know:

• The exact watering schedule and rules by season and address
• What’s allowed and what’s not (including exceptions)
• Smart irrigation strategies that save water and money
• How to maintain attractive, resilient landscapes under restrictions
• Where to get personalized watering guidance and local support

Why Water Conservation Matters in Forney

North Texas sits in a region with periodic drought, rapid growth, and competing demands on limited water supplies. Summer heat and wind speed up evaporation, lawns overuse water, and irrigation runoff wastes thousands of gallons per household each year. Conservation is not just about saving drops—it helps:

• Protect water availability during peak demand
• Reduce strain on treatment and delivery systems
• Keep water bills lower for households and the city
• Support healthier soil and landscapes that withstand heat and pests

When everyone follows the rules, Forney uses less water overall without sacrificing landscape health. That’s the goal.

The 2025 Forney Watering Rules at a Glance

Here’s what residents need to know this year:

• Seasonal limits:

• • April 1–October 31: Water lawns with sprinklers or irrigation systems no more than two days per week.
  • November 1–March 31: Water lawns with sprinklers or irrigation systems no more than one day per week.

• Time-of-day restriction:

• • Do not run sprinklers or irrigation systems between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. (year-round). Water in early morning or later evening to reduce evaporation and wind drift.

• Address-based watering days (April–October):

• • Even addresses (0, 2, 4, 6, 8): Monday and Thursday
  • Odd addresses (1, 3, 5, 7, 9): Tuesday and Friday
  • Schools, parks, athletic fields, places of worship, medians, rights-of-way, and designated open spaces: Wednesday and Saturday or Sunday

• Exceptions for essential and new plantings:

• • Foundations, new landscaping, new plantings (first year) of shrubs and trees may be watered up to two hours on any day using:

• • • A handheld hose with a spray nozzle
    • A soaker hose
    • A drip irrigation system

• • These methods target roots efficiently and are exempt from the two-day limit, as long as you stay within the two-hour daily allowance.

• Year-round conservation:

• • Even outside of drought stages, the city expects residents to be mindful. Overwatering causes runoff, fungus, and wasted money.

If the region moves into higher drought stages, the city may update or tighten restrictions. Always check the City of Forney’s Water Restrictions page for the latest guidance.

How to Set Your Watering Schedule (Without Guesswork)

The single best way to avoid overwatering or stressing your lawn is to match irrigation to actual weather and soil needs. Use these steps:

1. Identify your allowed days.
   • Match your address to the days above. Put them in your phone calendar and on a visible note near your irrigation controller.
2. Set watering times before 10 a.m. or after 8 p.m.
   • Early morning (4–8 a.m.) is ideal: winds are calmer, temperatures are cooler, and less water evaporates.
3. Start with the minimum runtime.
   • Many North Texas lawns need less time than you think. Begin with 1 inch of water per week split across your allowed days in warm months. In cooler months, many lawns need none or very little.
4. Use cycle-and-soak to prevent runoff.
   • Clay-heavy soils common in Forney absorb water slowly. Run each zone for a shorter period (for example, 6–8 minutes), wait 30–60 minutes, then run again. Two to three short cycles beat one long cycle.
5. Adjust weekly with data.
   • Sign up for WaterMyYard.org to receive tailored recommendations based on local weather, evaporation rates, and your sprinkler type. It’s free and specific to your area.

Smart Irrigation Tips That Save Water and Money

Small changes add up. Try these practical upgrades and habits:

• Install a smart controller:

• • A WaterSense-labeled controller can adjust watering automatically based on weather. Many units pay for themselves within one to two seasons through reduced water use.

• Use rain and freeze sensors:

• • These inexpensive add-ons shut off the system during rain or near-freezing temperatures, preventing waste and plant damage.

• Check for leaks and broken heads monthly:

• • A single cracked head can waste hundreds of gallons per cycle. Turn on each zone and walk the yard. Look for misting (too high pressure), geysers (broken heads), and pooling.

• Match nozzles and adjust spray patterns:

• • Ensure each zone uses the right nozzle type and precipitation rate. Avoid overspray onto sidewalks and streets.

• Favor drip for beds and trees:

• • Drip irrigation delivers water to roots with minimal loss to evaporation. It’s more efficient than spray for shrubs, vegetable beds, and trees.

• Mulch 2–4 inches deep:

• • Add hardwood mulch around beds and trees. Mulch reduces evaporation, keeps soil cooler, and suppresses weeds that compete for water.

• Raise mower blades:

• • Taller grass (about 3–4 inches for St. Augustine and 2.5–3 inches for Bermuda, depending on variety) shades soil and reduces water loss.

• Aerate compacted areas:

• • Core aeration in spring or early fall improves infiltration, helping water reach roots instead of running off.

Keeping Your Landscape Healthy on Fewer Watering Days

Concerned about your lawn or garden under restrictions? Focus on plant health from the roots up.

• Prioritize trees and shrubs:

• • Trees are the most valuable plants in your yard. Use slow, deep watering around the drip line with drip line or a soaker hose for 45–60 minutes as needed (within the allowed methods for new plantings).

• Water deeply, not daily:

• • Shallow, frequent watering trains roots to stay near the surface. Deep, infrequent watering builds drought resilience.

• Choose drought-tolerant plants:

• • Consider natives and adapted species such as Texas sage, Turk’s cap, salvias, lantana, and vitex. These plants thrive with less water and handle heat and wind better.

• Improve soil quality:

• • Incorporate compost into beds to boost water-holding capacity. Healthy soil reduces watering frequency.

• Watch for stress signs:

• • Wilting in the afternoon heat can be normal; check again at sunrise. If blades stay folded at dawn or footprints linger on the lawn, it may need water on your next allowed day.

• Time new plantings smartly:

• • Plant trees and shrubs in fall or early spring when temperatures are milder and rainfall helps establishment. Use the daily drip/soaker allowance for first-year plants to keep roots active.

Common Mistakes That Lead to Violations (and Waste)

Avoid these pitfalls that cost water and can lead to fines:

• Watering during restricted hours:

• • Midday watering loses water to evaporation and is not allowed between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m.

• Watering on the wrong day:

• • Program your controller carefully and double-check after power outages.

• Letting water run off onto streets:

• • Adjust sprinkler angles, reduce runtimes, and use cycle-and-soak to keep water on your property.

• Overwatering shaded zones:

• • Shady areas need less water. Program separate runtimes for sunny and shady zones.

• Ignoring seasonal changes:

• • Cut runtimes in fall and winter; many lawns can go weeks without supplemental irrigation during cool, wet periods.

How These Rules Help Your Wallet

Conserving water is good for your lawn and your budget. Here’s how you save:

• Lower bills: Efficient watering can reduce outdoor use by 20–50% in summer.
• Fewer repairs: Fixing leaks early prevents costly landscape damage and high water charges.
• Healthier plants: Avoiding overwatering reduces disease and fungus treatments.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I hand-water my lawn outside allowed days?

• • Hand-watering the entire lawn with a hose and spray nozzle still counts as landscape watering. Follow the schedule for general lawn irrigation. The daily allowance applies to foundations, new landscaping, and first-year shrubs/trees when using a handheld hose, drip, or soaker hose.

• What about car washing or pressure washing?

• • Use a hose with an automatic shutoff nozzle to limit waste. Check current city guidance before scheduling large pressure-washing jobs during drought stages.

• How do I water new sod?

• • New sod needs frequent moisture at first. Use drip, a soaker hose, or a handheld hose within the allowed exception for new plantings. Transition to the normal schedule once established.

By working together and committing to responsible water use, we can protect Forney’s water supply for both current residents and future generations. Every drop saved helps keep our city green, our bills manageable, and our community resilient in the face of drought. Following these guidelines not only ensures compliance but also sets an example of stewardship for neighbors and friends. Thank you for doing your part to make water conservation a local tradition in Forney, TX.