Irrigation Insights + Guidelines

To promote good watering habits, minimize water waste and preserve Irving’s water supply, the city enforces time-of-day irrigation restrictions. These limits make it a violation of city ordinance to water between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. from April 1 through Oct. 31.

In warmer weather, irrigation water is more susceptible to evaporation during warm, sunny days. As a result, early morning or late evening watering is more effective. Additionally, the cycle-soak method of running sprinklers for two or three, seven-minute cycles, with one-hour rest periods in between, optimizes irrigation.

Minimize water consumption

1. Water no more than twice per week from April through October (in warm weather) and only once per month if needed in winter (in cold weather).
2. Repair private property leaks.
3. Attach positive shutoff nozzles when hoses are used for hand watering or car washing.
4. Install water-conserving landscaping including native and adaptive plants.
5. Use water-conserving plumbing fixtures at residences and businesses.
6. Purchase water-conserving appliances.
7. Register at WaterMyYard.org for a weekly message about how much to irrigate.

As part of the Irving’s ongoing water conservation plan, efficient, twice-a-week irrigation measures are now in effect.

All residents and businesses are limited to irrigating only twice per week, according to scheduling for odd/even addresses:

1. Use of free-flowing hoses is prohibited; hoses must have attached positive shutoff nozzle and be under the control of a person when in use.
2. All private property leaks must be repaired in a timely manner.

Trees, shrubs and dormant grass require irrigation every four to six weeks in the winter. The best approach is to turn off the irrigation controller and operate the system manually no more than once per month when temperatures will remain well above freezing. Also, keeping the controller off helps prevent accidental activation that could cause icing.

From Nov. 1 to March 31, it is acceptable to irrigate during daytime hours, when it is typically warmest. If using hose-end sprinklers, winter is a good time to drain and store hoses, sprinklers and nozzles.

While research has shown that twice-per-week irrigation is an appropriate amount, use of the Watermyyard.org service provides timely and specific information about how much irrigation is needed to supplement precipitation.

Though drought-stage restrictions are not in effect, all water conservation elements and irrigation ordinance limits will be enforced.