Frequently Asked Questions

No. Effective Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, the City of Tomball has returned to normal water operation.

Tomball’s drought stages are as follows:

As of Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, the City of Tomball has returned to normal water operation.

There are currently no watering restrictions in place. However, the City encourages all residents and businesses to practice water conservation whenever possible.

As of Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, the City of Tomball has returned to normal water operation. There are no current watering restrictions. 

Irrigation is based on the response stage as identified in the City's adopted Water Conservation and Drought Contingency Plan, depicted below. Regardless of assigned irrigation days, watering with irrigation systems or hose-end sprinklers is prohibited between the hours of 5 a.m. and 7 p.m., but residents may water with a bucket or watering can at any time. 

Exemptions may be requested by filing a petition for variance with the City of Tomball within five (5) days after the Plan or a particular drought response stage has been implemented. Information regarding the exemption request can be found in the City's adopted Water Conservation and Drought Contingency Plan, or by contacting our Public Works department to inquire about the process. 

Yes, you can still hand-water your garden or plants using a bucket or watering can outside of the restricted hours. 

The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension office has a great tool for residents looking for guidance on lawn watering called the “Water My Yard” Program. Through this tool, residents can determine how much water their yard needs per week and receive weekly water recommendations. We encourage residents to use this free tool available through Texas A&M AgriLife Extension at https://watermyyard.org/#/Location. 

In addition, to maintain your lawn's health, consider the following tips:

• Water deeply and infrequently, promoting deeper root growth.
• Adjust your lawnmower to a higher setting to provide shade for the soil.
• Apply a layer of mulch around plants to retain moisture.
• Avoid over-fertilizing, as it can increase water demand.

Any person who violates the Water Conservation and Drought Contingency Plan, or the associated watering restrictions, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction shall be punished by a fine shall be punished by a fine as established in the City’s Master Fee Schedule, and as amended from time to time. Each day that one or more of the provisions of this Plan is violated shall constitute a separate offense.

If a person is convicted of three or more distinct violations of this Plan, the City Manager, or his/her designee, shall, upon due notice to the person, be authorized to discontinue water service to the premises where such violations occur. Services discontinued under such circumstances shall be restored only upon payment of a reconnection fee, as established in the City’s Master Fee Schedule, as amended from time to time, criminal penalties, and reimbursement to the City for any and all costs incurred by the City, including reasonable attorney’s fees incurred for enforcement of this Plan. In addition, suitable assurance must be given to the City that the same action shall not be repeated while the Plan is in effect. Compliance with this Plan may also be sought through injunctive relief in the district court.

The duration of watering restrictions will depend on the severity of the drought and the availability of water resources. The City closely monitors water levels and weather patterns to determine when it's safe to lift or adjust the restrictions.

We will provide updates through our official city website (tomballtx.gov), social media channels, and local news outlets. For additional questions or clarifications, please contact our Public Works Department at (281) 290-1425 or refer to our official website at https://tomballtx.gov/709/Drought-Status. Thank you for your cooperation in conserving water during this drought.