How Drought Conditions Affect Your Irrigation System

by John Vitulli | Water Conversation and Drought

When drought sets in, it’s not just the grass that feels the stress – your entire irrigation system does too. Lower municipal supply, restricted watering schedules, and increased heat all combine to create unique challenges for keeping landscapes healthy without wasting water.

 At Waterwise, we help homeowners navigate these dry spells with strategies that protect your plants and your wallet. Here’s what to expect and how to adapt.

Drought and Water Pressure Go Hand in Hand

During drought periods, city utilities often reduce system pressure to conserve supply and manage demand. When the overall water grid is under strain, irrigation systems across a neighborhood can experience lower available pressure, especially during peak usage hours.

That’s why your sprinklers may appear weaker or certain zones fail to reach full coverage – the supply pressure itself has changed, not necessarily your equipment.

City-Mandated Water Restrictions

Many municipalities, including those around Houston, enforce stage-based drought restrictions that limit irrigation days and hours.

 Typical rules may include:

• Watering only twice per week based on address numbers.
• No watering during daytime hours (to reduce evaporation).
• Mandatory use of rain sensors or smart controllers.

 Violations can lead to fines, but more importantly, overwatering during restricted periods wastes precious resources when every drop counts.

Adjusting Your Irrigation Strategy

Drought isn’t just about less rain – it’s about changing how and when you water. Here’s how to adapt:

• Water early in the morning (before 9 a.m.) to minimize evaporation.
• Prioritize key areas – trees, shrubs, and high-value landscaping – over low-impact turf sections.
• Increase soak cycles instead of longer single run times to help moisture penetrate deeper.
• Monitor your system’s performance; low pressure or runoff means you may be watering faster than the soil can absorb.
• Use mulch and organic matter to retain soil moisture and protect roots.

Drought Watering Myths vs. Facts

• Myth: “You should water every day during a drought.”
• Fact: Frequent shallow watering leads to weak roots and quick evaporation. Deep, infrequent watering builds stronger, drought-tolerant plants.

• Myth: “If the grass is brown, it’s dead.”
• Fact: Turfgrass naturally goes dormant under heat stress. With proper deep watering once or twice a week, it can bounce back when conditions improve.

• Myth: “Running the sprinklers longer makes up for dry weather.”
• Fact: Most soils can only absorb about ½ inch of water per hour. Anything more runs off into the street – wasting water and money.

• Myth: “Rain sensors aren’t necessary during drought.”
• Fact: Even brief showers can meet your lawn’s water needs. Rain sensors automatically pause irrigation, so you don’t overwater when rainfall finally arrives.

Houston’s Approach to Drought

Stay Water-Wise During Drought