Cleburne’s 2025 Watering Schedule: Your Guide to Smart Water Use

Water conservation isn’t just about being environmentally responsible—it’s essential for maintaining reliable water supplies in communities like Cleburne, Texas. The city has implemented a year-round, twice-a-week outdoor watering schedule that helps residents maintain beautiful landscapes while protecting precious water resources.

Whether you’re a new resident or need a refresher on the current rules, this guide covers everything you need to know about Cleburne’s watering restrictions and how to make the most of your allocated watering days.

Why Cleburne Adopted Year-Round Watering Restrictions

Cleburne joined the majority of North Texas cities—including Fort Worth, Arlington, and Dallas—in implementing permanent watering schedules. These measures serve multiple purposes:

Drought Preparedness: By establishing consistent water use patterns, the city can better manage resources during drought conditions without needing emergency restrictions.

Peak Demand Management: Spreading irrigation across multiple days reduces strain on the water system during high-usage periods.

Conservation Culture: Regular restrictions help residents develop water-conscious habits that benefit the entire community.

Infrastructure Protection: Consistent water pressure prevents damage to pipes and distribution systems.

The schedule went into effect on April 3, 2023, replacing temporary drought measures with a permanent, predictable system that residents can plan around.

Understanding Your Watering Days

Cleburne’s watering schedule assigns specific days based on your property type and address. Here’s how it breaks down:

Residential Properties

Your watering days depend on the last digit of your street address:

Even-numbered addresses (ending in 0, 2, 4, 6, 8): Wednesday and Saturday

Odd-numbered addresses (ending in 1, 3, 5, 7, 9): Thursday and Sunday

For example, if you live at 1234 Oak Street, you can water on Wednesdays and Saturdays. If your address is 567 Elm Avenue, your watering days are Thursday and Sunday.

Non-Residential Properties

All non-residential sites follow the same schedule regardless of address:

Apartments, businesses, parks, and common areas: Tuesday and Friday

This includes commercial properties, multi-family housing complexes, homeowner association common areas, and municipal facilities.

Time Restrictions: The 9-to-6 Rule

Beyond assigned days, Cleburne prohibits unattended watering between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. This restriction targets the hottest part of the day when water evaporation rates are highest.

Why these hours matter: Watering during midday heat wastes significant amounts of water through evaporation before plants can absorb moisture. Early morning or evening irrigation ensures more water reaches plant roots where it’s needed.

What counts as “unattended”: Automatic sprinkler systems, soaker hoses running without supervision, and other automated irrigation methods fall under this restriction.

Exemptions: When the Rules Don’t Apply

Cleburne’s watering schedule includes several practical exemptions:

Hand Watering

You can hand water plants, trees, and lawns any day at any time. This includes using a handheld hose, watering can, or bucket. Hand watering is generally more efficient than sprinklers because you can target specific areas and control water flow.

Drip Irrigation

Drip irrigation systems operate outside the schedule restrictions. These efficient systems deliver water directly to plant roots, minimizing evaporation and runoff.

Alternative Water Sources

Properties using non-municipal water sources are exempt from the schedule:

• Well water
• Treated wastewater (effluent)
• Rainwater harvesting systems
• Other alternative supplies

New Landscaping

Recently installed sod, seed, or plants may receive special consideration during establishment periods. Contact the city for guidance on temporary exemptions for new landscaping.

Maximizing Efficiency on Your Watering Days

Having only two watering days per week requires strategic planning. Here’s how to make the most of your allocated time:

Timing is Everything

Early morning (5-8 a.m.): Best time for watering. Cooler temperatures reduce evaporation, and plants have time to dry before evening, reducing disease risk.

Evening (after 6 p.m.): Second-best option. Avoid late evening watering that keeps foliage wet overnight.

Avoid midday: Even on your designated days, watering between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. is prohibited for good reason—it’s wasteful and less effective.

Deep, Infrequent Watering

Twice-weekly watering actually benefits most plants when done properly:

Water deeply: Run sprinklers long enough to penetrate 6-8 inches into soil. This encourages deep root growth and drought tolerance.

Check soil moisture: Insert a screwdriver or soil probe to verify water penetration. If it easily goes down 6 inches, you’ve watered enough.

Adjust for seasons: Reduce watering duration in cooler months when evaporation rates are lower and plant water needs decrease.

Zone Your Irrigation

Different areas of your landscape have varying water needs:

High-need zones: Vegetable gardens, annual flower beds, and newly planted areas

Medium-need zones: Established perennials, shrubs, and most lawn areas 

Low-need zones: Mature trees, native plants, and drought-tolerant landscaping

Focus your watering efforts on high-need areas first, then address other zones as time and water pressure allow.

Smart Landscaping for Water Conservation

Beyond following the watering schedule, consider these long-term strategies:

Choose Drought-Tolerant Plants

Native Texas plants require less supplemental irrigation once established:

• Buffalo grass for lawns
• Mexican buckeye and Texas redbud for trees
• Turk’s cap and autumn sage for perennials
• Prickly pear and agave for accents

Improve Soil Quality

Healthy soil retains moisture more effectively:

• Add compost to improve soil structure
• Use mulch to reduce evaporation
• Avoid soil compaction that prevents water infiltration

Install Efficient Irrigation

Upgrade older sprinkler systems with:

• Smart controllers that adjust for weather conditions
• High-efficiency nozzles that reduce overspray
• Pressure-compensating emitters for consistent coverage
• Rain sensors that skip watering cycles during precipitation

Avoiding Common Violations

Understanding what constitutes a violation helps you stay compliant:

Prohibited Activities

• Running sprinklers on non-assigned days
• Watering between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. with automatic systems
• Allowing water to run off into streets or sidewalks
• Watering during active precipitation

Permitted Activities

• Hand watering anytime
• Washing vehicles (when not prohibited by drought stages)
• Filling pools and decorative water features
• Maintenance activities like testing irrigation systems (briefly)

When Weather Changes Everything

Cleburne’s watering schedule includes common-sense provisions for weather conditions:

During rain: Don’t water during active precipitation, regardless of your assigned day. Most plants receive adequate moisture from natural rainfall.

After storms: Heavy rains may provide enough water to skip your next scheduled watering. Check soil moisture before deciding.

Drought escalations: During severe drought conditions, the city may implement additional restrictions that supersede the regular schedule.

Benefits Beyond Water Conservation

Following Cleburne’s watering schedule provides advantages beyond resource conservation:

Healthier Plants

Deep, less frequent watering encourages stronger root systems and more drought-tolerant plants.

Lower Utility Bills

Using water efficiently reduces monthly water costs, especially during peak summer months.

System Reliability

Reduced peak demand means better water pressure for all residents and less strain on city infrastructure.

Community Resilience

Collective conservation efforts help ensure water availability during future droughts or supply challenges.

Getting Help and Staying Informed

Cleburne provides multiple resources for residents navigating the watering schedule:

City Website: Visit the Cleburne Watering Schedule page

 for current information and updates.

Customer Service: Contact the Public Works Department for questions about exemptions or clarifications.

Educational Materials: The city offers workshops and online resources about efficient irrigation and drought-tolerant landscaping.

Alerts and Updates: Sign up for city notifications to receive updates about any temporary changes to the schedule.

Making Conservation a Habit

Cleburne’s year-round watering schedule represents more than just rules—it’s an investment in the community’s future water security. By following these guidelines and implementing efficient watering practices, residents contribute to a more sustainable and resilient water supply system.

The twice-weekly schedule might seem restrictive initially, but most residents find that thoughtful watering actually improves their landscape health while reducing maintenance time and costs. Remember, these measures help ensure that Cleburne has adequate water supplies for generations to come.

Start planning your watering routine around your assigned days, invest in efficient irrigation methods, and consider drought-tolerant landscaping options. With smart water use, you can maintain a beautiful outdoor space while being a responsible steward of this precious resource.