Residents
Drought Contingency Plan
The City's Drought Contingency Plan sets four stages of water restrictions based on demand and storage. Dongvile is in Stage 1, Water Watch, and conservation is voluntary.
About the plan
Every retail public water supplier in Texas must adopt a drought contingency plan and update it every five years (30 Tex. Admin. Code ch. 288). City Council adopted Dongvile’s current plan by Ordinance No. 2024-018 on April 2, 2024, and it was filed with TCEQ that month.
The City Manager declares and ends each stage based on the triggers below. Stage changes are announced through DongAlert, on this page, on the sign in front of City Hall and in The Dongvile Gazette. The City notifies TCEQ within five business days of starting any mandatory stage.
The water system can produce 2.16 million gallons per day from its three wells.
Stages and triggers
| Stage | Begins when any of these occur | Goal | Ends when |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Water Watch (voluntary) | Daily demand reaches 1.62 million gallons (75% of capacity) for three days in a row, or the Dongvile Water Tower does not refill above 80% overnight | Reduce use 5% | Triggers have not occurred for 30 days in a row |
| 2. Water Warning (mandatory) | Daily demand reaches 1.84 million gallons (85%) for three days in a row, or the ground storage tank stays below 50% for 24 hours | Reduce use 10% | Triggers have not occurred for 14 days in a row |
| 3. Water Emergency (mandatory) | Daily demand reaches 2.05 million gallons (95%) for three days in a row, or the water tower stays below 40% for 12 hours | Reduce use 20% | Triggers have not occurred for 14 days in a row |
| 4. Critical Water Shortage (mandatory) | A well, pump or major main fails; the water supply is contaminated; or the water tower falls below 25% | Reduce use 30% | The City Manager determines the emergency has passed |
Watering schedule by address
| Your address ends in | Sprinkler and irrigation days |
|---|---|
| 0, 2, 4, 6 or 8 (even) | Sunday and Thursday |
| 1, 3, 5, 7 or 9 (odd) | Saturday and Wednesday |
| Commercial, multifamily, school and City property | Tuesday and Friday |
- Water before 10:00 a.m. or after 6:00 p.m. on your days only.
- No sprinkler or irrigation system watering on Monday at any address.
- Hand watering with a hose that has a shutoff nozzle, a watering can or drip irrigation is allowed on any day in Stages 1 and 2.
- Addresses ending in ½ follow the schedule for the whole number. 214½ W Okra St is an even address.
- Corner lots use the address shown on the water bill.
- Mullet Meadows is served by a master meter and follows the multifamily schedule.
- Properties that irrigate from a private well are exempt but must post a sign reading “Private Well Water in Use” where it can be seen from the street.
Restrictions by stage
Stage 1, Water Watch (voluntary)
- Follow the twice-a-week watering schedule.
- Fix leaking faucets, toilets and irrigation heads.
- Sweep driveways and sidewalks instead of hosing them off.
Stage 2, Water Warning (mandatory)
- All Stage 1 measures become mandatory.
- Wash vehicles only at a commercial car wash, or at home with a bucket and a hose with a shutoff nozzle.
- No filling of new swimming pools. Topping off existing pools is allowed.
- Ornamental fountains must be turned off unless they recirculate.
- Restaurants serve water only on request.
Stage 3, Water Emergency (mandatory)
- All Stage 2 measures stay in effect.
- Sprinklers and irrigation systems are limited to one day a week, on the first watering day for your address.
- Hand watering is allowed on your watering days only.
- Vehicle washing only at a commercial car wash.
- No filling or topping off of swimming pools.
- Construction water from fire hydrant meters is suspended.
Stage 4, Critical Water Shortage (mandatory)
- All outdoor watering with sprinklers, irrigation systems and hand-held hoses is prohibited.
- Foundations may be watered with a soaker hose for up to two hours on your watering day.
- No new water service connections are made.
- All non-essential water use is prohibited.
Enforcement
Stage 1 is voluntary. In Stages 2 through 4, a first violation receives a written warning. Later violations are Class C misdemeanors punishable by a fine of up to $500 in Municipal Court, and each day a violation continues is a separate offense. After a third violation, the City may install a flow restrictor on the meter. Installation and removal are $75 each.
To report a violation, call Public Works at (936) 555-0103 or use Report a Concern.
Variances
If following the plan would endanger health, sanitation or fire protection, send a written variance request to the City Manager at City Hall, 150 E Brisket St, within five days after a stage is declared. Variances are not granted for convenience.
Documents
- Drought Contingency Plan (Ordinance No. 2024-018)
- Water Conservation Plan, 2024
Frequently asked questions
I just put in new sod. Can I water more often?
Yes, in Stages 1 and 2. Call Public Works for a free new-landscape permit, which allows daily watering for 30 days. New-landscape permits are not issued in Stages 3 and 4.
How will I know if the stage changes?
Sign up for DongAlert at Notify Me. Stage changes are also posted on this page and on the sign in front of City Hall.
Last updated October 1, 2026