Fort Worth reminds residents to stick to watering schedule to save water and avoid fines

Fort Worth, Texas – In Fort Worth, most residents are doing their part to follow the city’s watering schedule, which was put in place to conserve water and help families manage utility bills. But many may not realize that watering outside the designated days and times can lead to violations and costly fees.

Last summer alone, the city recorded over 170,000 watering violations. Even more concerning, 94 percent of those violations came from repeat offenders. This resulted in about 630 million gallons of water being used in violation of the city’s existing code. To tackle this, Fort Worth Water is offering a variety of tools to help residents track their usage, stay in compliance, and avoid penalties.

The city’s twice-a-week watering schedule has been a rule since 2014, laid out under Ordinance No. 21194-07-2014. The schedule is meant to balance the needs of residents’ yards with the need to protect Fort Worth’s water supply for future use.

How the City Tracks and Residents Can Monitor

Remote reading technology allows Fort Worth Water to detect spikes in water usage outside allowed watering times. If you want to stay on top of your own usage, the myH2O Portal is a free online tool where you can track your hourly and daily water usage, set up alerts for unexpected spikes (like leaks), and manage payments.

According to the EPA’s WaterSense program, households that follow recommended watering schedules can save over 10,000 gallons of water per year — a win for your wallet and the environment.

Steps to Stay in Compliance and Save

Avoiding fees is easy when you follow a few simple steps:

• Know your watering days. Double-check that your irrigation system is set correctly to water only on your allowed days and times.

• Use the myH2O Portal. Monitor your usage regularly and catch any unexpected activity early.

• Get a free SmartIrrigation checkup. While no changes are made during the visit, you’ll receive a helpful report to improve system efficiency. Register here.

• Visit SaveFortWorthWater.org. Access video tutorials, watering schedules, and other conservation tips.

Understanding the Penalties

If you happen to water on the wrong day or time, the city uses a step-based enforcement system:

• First violation: Warning postcard (no fee)

• Second violation: $25 fee

• Third violation: $50 fee

• Fourth violation: $75 fee

• Fifth violation: Lockout and citation

The good news is that 82 percent of customers followed the rules last year without ever receiving a notice of noncompliance.

Mistakes to Avoid

Several common errors can lead to violations:

• Watering after midnight. Some systems run late and unintentionally water on the wrong day. Setting your system to start at 2 a.m. can help avoid this.

• Confusing hand watering with system use. You are allowed to hand water using a hose and nozzle. However, if the system detects high-volume water use — especially in early morning hours — it could signal automated irrigation use.

• Timer resets. Power outages or new property ownership can cause irrigation systems to reset, leading to accidental violations.

• Running multiple water-heavy appliances. While using laundry, dishwashers, and showers at once can raise usage, it won’t count as a violation unless it’s outside approved irrigation hours.

Fort Worth Water’s goal is not to issue fines, but to help residents make better choices when it comes to water usage. With the right tools and a little attention to watering times, you can stay compliant, save money, and conserve one of Texas’s most valuable resources.

For more information, visit SaveFortWorthWater.org.