New Coppell Water Restrictions: What 2025 Means for Your Lawn

Coppell residents are facing significant changes to their watering routines as the city implements stricter water conservation measures for 2025. These new regulations include mandatory twice-weekly watering schedules, expanded time restrictions, and substantially higher fines for violations. Here’s what you need to know to keep your landscape healthy while staying compliant with the updated rules.

Understanding Coppell’s New Water Conservation Plan

The City of Coppell approved sweeping changes to its water conservation ordinance in July 2024, with enforcement beginning in 2025. These modifications represent the most significant update to the city’s water management strategy in recent years, reflecting growing concerns about water supply sustainability and infrastructure capacity.

Key Changes at a Glance

The updated ordinance reduces drought stages from five to four and implements year-round Stage 1 restrictions. Under the new system, Coppell maintains its current water conservation level unless specific triggers warrant more stringent measures, such as water line breaks, consecutive days of system overuse, or shortage notices from Dallas Water Utilities.

The New Watering Schedule: When and How Often

Starting in 2025, all Coppell utility customers must follow a strict twice-weekly watering schedule from May 1 through September 30. The schedule operates on an address-based system:

For Residential Properties:

• Even-numbered addresses (ending in 0, 2, 4, 6, 8): Water on Tuesdays and Saturdays
• Odd-numbered addresses (ending in 1, 3, 5, 7, 9): Water on Wednesdays and Sundays

For Businesses and Commercial Properties:

• All commercial, non-commercial, city facilities, and schools: Water on Mondays and Fridays

Outside the mandatory period (October 1 through April 30), these restrictions remain in place as voluntary guidelines, though the city strongly encourages residents to maintain the schedule year-round.

Expanded Time Restrictions

The city has tightened its prohibited watering hours, extending the blackout period by one hour. No outdoor watering is allowed between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. from May 1 through September 30, regardless of the current drought stage. Previously, the restriction ran from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

This change allows the city’s ground storage tanks additional recovery time, helping maintain system pressure and service reliability throughout peak demand periods.

Exemptions That Still Apply

Not all watering activities fall under these restrictions. The following remain permitted any day, at any time:

• Hand watering with a hose
• Soaker hoses and drip irrigation systems
• Non-spray irrigation systems

Manual and hose-end sprinklers, however, must follow the designated watering days and time restrictions.

Dramatically Increased Penalties

Perhaps the most attention-grabbing change involves enforcement. Beginning in 2025, fines for water restriction violations can reach up to $2,000 per offense – a significant increase from the previous $500 maximum.

The city implemented this steep penalty increase after observing residents who simply paid the lower fine and continued violating restrictions. Each day of violation constitutes a separate offense, meaning costs can accumulate quickly for repeat violators.

Escalating Consequences:

• First and second violations: Up to $2,000 per offense
• Three or more violations: Water service disconnection possible
• Restoration requires: Reconnection fee (up to $135), payment of all fines, and written assurance of future compliance

Why These Changes Are Necessary

Coppell’s water conservation updates stem from several converging factors that threaten the city’s long-term water security and service reliability.

Contractual Obligations with Dallas Water Utilities

Coppell purchases treated water from Dallas Water Utilities (DWU) under a contract allowing 18.5 million gallons per day. While the city can purchase additional water if needed, exceeding this threshold triggers higher costs that directly impact customer bills. More importantly, increased water purchases create multi-year financial commitments for volumes the city may not consistently need.

The city’s contract with DWU specifically requires maintaining water conservation and drought contingency plans consistent with Texas Administrative Code requirements. These aren’t optional guidelines – they’re legal obligations tied to Coppell’s water supply agreement.

Growing Water Demand

Residential and commercial development throughout Coppell has steadily increased water consumption, pushing the city toward its contractual limit during peak seasons. Without conservation measures, officials projected daily use would reach 19 million gallons by 2025, creating a $350,000 annual cost increase.

Looking further ahead, complete buildout could drive consumption to 25 million gallons daily by 2040. Allowing unchecked growth in water use also stresses the distribution system, increasing the likelihood of equipment failures and service interruptions.

Infrastructure Protection

The expanded time restrictions serve a critical infrastructure purpose. By prohibiting irrigation from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., the city’s ground storage reservoirs gain approximately 770,000 gallons of additional recovery capacity daily. This buffer improves system resilience and helps maintain adequate pressure during emergency situations.

Adapting to the New Rules: Practical Tips

While the new restrictions may seem daunting, several strategies can help residents maintain healthy landscapes while staying compliant.

Maximize Permitted Watering Methods

Take full advantage of exempted irrigation techniques:

Soaker Hoses: These efficient systems deliver water directly to root zones with minimal evaporation loss. Unlike sprinklers, you can use soaker hoses any day, at any time. They work particularly well for flower beds, vegetable gardens, and around trees and shrubs.

Hand Watering: Perfect for spot-treating stressed areas or newly planted specimens. This method allows precise water application exactly where needed, reducing waste while maintaining compliance.

Drip Irrigation: Consider installing drip systems for garden beds and shrub areas. These systems provide consistent, efficient watering without falling under sprinkler restrictions.

Optimize Your Watering Schedule

Make the most of your two permitted watering days:

Water Early or Late: Schedule irrigation for early morning (before 9 a.m.) or evening (after 6 p.m.) to minimize evaporation and maximize plant uptake.

Deep, Less Frequent Watering: Focus on thorough watering sessions rather than light, frequent applications. This approach encourages deeper root growth and improves drought tolerance.

Zone Your Irrigation: If you have an automatic system, program different zones to water on different days within your permitted schedule to extend coverage.

Consider Drought-Tolerant Landscaping

The city encourages residents to explore Texas SmartScape plants, which are specifically adapted to local conditions. These native and adaptive species offer several benefits:

• Reduced water requirements
• Better heat and drought tolerance
• Natural pest and disease resistance
• Wildlife habitat creation
• Lower maintenance needs

Popular drought-tolerant options for North Texas include native grasses like buffalo grass and blue grama, shrubs such as cenizo and barberry, and perennials like black-eyed Susan and Mexican mint marigold.

Apply for Variances When Needed

Coppell recognizes that certain situations may require flexibility in water restrictions. The city accepts variance requests for:

• New lawn installation or re-sodding
• Recently planted landscaping requiring establishment care
• Extended travel periods requiring adjusted watering schedules
• Other circumstances where compliance might cause property damage

To request a variance, complete the Water Restrictions Variance Request Form available on the city’s website or call 972-462-5155 for assistance.

Monitoring Your Water Usage

Coppell provides tools to help residents track and manage their water consumption. The MyH2O customer portal offers:

• Real-time usage monitoring updated throughout the day
• Budget and consumption threshold alerts
• Leak detection notifications
• Comparative usage data
• Mobile device accessibility

Proactive monitoring helps identify usage patterns, detect potential problems early, and adjust habits to stay within conservation guidelines.

Free Resources Available

Sprinkler System Evaluation Program

The city partners with M&M Irrigation and Illumination to provide free residential sprinkler evaluations. These comprehensive assessments examine:

• System components and efficiency
• Controller programming and operation
• Current watering schedules and recommendations
• Maintenance needs and improvements

Participants receive detailed reports with specific recommendations for reducing water waste and improving system performance.

Educational Resources

Visit waterisawesome.com for weekly watering advice and conservation tips. This collaborative platform, supported by major North Texas water suppliers, provides science-based guidance for maintaining healthy landscapes while conserving water.

Looking Ahead: Community Participation Matters

Coppell’s water conservation success depends on community-wide participation and understanding. These restrictions aren’t temporary emergency measures – they represent a sustainable approach to water management as the city continues growing.

The good news is that proper water conservation often improves landscape health. Research from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service shows that twice-weekly watering (or less) actually strengthens plants by encouraging deeper root development. This creates more resilient landscapes better equipped to handle future drought conditions.

More turf damage occurs from overwatering than underwatering, making these restrictions beneficial for both conservation and plant health. During most North Texas summers, supplemental watering twice weekly provides adequate moisture for healthy lawn maintenance.

The Bottom Line

Coppell’s 2025 water restrictions represent a necessary evolution in municipal water management. While the changes require adjustment, they ensure long-term water security, maintain service reliability, and control costs for all residents.

By embracing efficient watering practices, considering drought-tolerant landscaping, and participating actively in conservation efforts, Coppell residents can maintain beautiful outdoor spaces while protecting this essential resource for future generations.

Start planning now for the May 1 implementation date. Adjust your irrigation system, explore drought-tolerant plant options, and consider applying for a free sprinkler evaluation. With preparation and community cooperation, these new restrictions will become routine practices that benefit everyone in Coppell.

For detailed information about water restrictions, variance applications, and conservation resources, visit coppelltx.gov or call the city’s utility billing department at 972-462-5155.