Extending our currently available water supply and using water efficiently is critical as Texas continues to experience one of its worst droughts in decades. However, there are several steps residents and businesses can take to help maintain a healthy landscape during this time of diminished water supplies.

What Can I Do?

Below are some tips to help maintain your landscape while minimizing your outdoor water use during the period of Stage 3 water management strategies.

• Wait until the drought has passed to install any new landscaping. New plantings, even native and drought-tolerant species, require a significant amount of water to effectively establish a root structure in their new location. Delay any plans for new landscaping until after the drought has passed.
• Apply water directly to the roots. Soaker hoses and drip irrigation systems apply water directly to the root system, where plants need it most. This helps reduce the amount of water that is lost through evaporation, and it can also help save money on your water bill.
• Limit fertilizer use. This will help reduce the amount of nitrogen in your lawn. Nitrogen encourages new growth in turfgrass, and new growth requires more water to maintain.
• Eliminate runoff. If water is beginning to puddle on your lawn or flow into the street, stop irrigating to allow time for your lawn to absorb the excess water. You may have to adjust your sprinkler heads or set your irrigation system to cycle on and off to ensure that your lawn uses every drop of water efficiently.
• Check your sprinkler system. Inspect the main control unit, rain/freeze sensors and sprinkler heads to update your watering settings, eliminate leaks and fix any misdirected or broken sprinkler heads.
• Let your lawn go dormant. Most turfgrass species naturally go dormant in the winter and require significantly less water to stay alive. Reducing or eliminating the amount of water you apply to your lawn will signal to the grass that it is time to go dormant.

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The lawn watering restrictions are part of the City of Mesquite's water conservation initiative. The City of Mesquite encourages all residents to conserve water in their homes and in their landscaping every day of the year. To view the Water Conservation Plan and Ordinance : the Water Conservation Ordinance

View water elevations for Lake Lavon and Lake Chapman

Additional Information

• Water Conservation Tips
• Watering Guide for Texas Landscape
• Water Conservation Brochure

Helpful links:

NTMWD website EPA WaterSense

Texas Smartscape website Water IQ website