Watering Right in West Texas
Water plays a vital role in keeping our lawns, gardens, and community healthy. On this page, you’ll find additional information on irrigation tips, water conservation, and smart watering practices to help you use water efficiently—every drop counts.
This page is your go-to resource for understanding local watering guidelines, starting with the City’s lawn watering restrictions. Following these rules helps conserve water, protect our shared resources, and keep landscapes thriving in West Texas conditions.
City of Lubbock, Texas – News | City’s Watering Lawn Restrictions Effective April 1
Understanding Our Water: Aquifers & Conservation in the High Plains
Water beneath the surface of the Texas High Plains isn’t just there by chance — it’s stored deep underground in natural formations called aquifers. These aquifers are the lifeblood of our region’s agriculture, communities, and economy, supplying water for irrigation, livestock, homes, and industry. Because rainfall here is limited and groundwater replenishes very slowly, managing and conserving these supplies is critically important for our future.
One of the most significant sources of groundwater in the southern High Plains is the Ogallala Aquifer, part of one of the largest aquifer systems in the United States. It stretches beneath much of the Great Plains and has supported agricultural productivity and rural life for decades, though it is being drawn down faster than nature can refill it in many areas.
The Ogallala Aquifer is an almost incomprehensible natural resource, due to its geographical size and overall economic, cultural, and historical scope. It’s one of Great Plain’s only dependable water sources, and the largest freshwater aquifer (by volume) in the world, spread across parts of 8 states. The aquifer stretches over 800 miles north to south, straddling the 100th meridian, the dividing line between the arid and non-arid halves of our nation.
The Ogallala Aquifer underlies roughly 174,000 square miles, directly serving Wyoming, South Dakota, Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Texas. It’s thought to have originally contained around 3.25 billion acre-feet of water within its massive gravel, clay, and sandy beds. Its groundwater reserves are generally found anywhere from 50 to 300 feet beneath the soil surface, depending on location. Landscapes north of Kansas and Colorado have saturated thickness of around 1,000 feet, while in many areas south of those states, the thickness of the Ogallala is only 100 feet or less.
In the past seventy years, ever increasing usage has greatly diminished this finite water resource, especially in the southern High Plains section. With food demands rising across the world and exponential increases in domestic population, further depletion of this nonrenewable resource has become a major concern. Coupled with frequent droughts, wells in many parts of the Ogallala are literally running dry.
Beneath and alongside the Ogallala are additional groundwater formations that also contribute to regional water supplies:
Edwards-Trinity (High Plains) Aquifer – A deeper, generally smaller aquifer under the Ogallala that supplies water where present. Its water quality tends to be slightly saltier and it is recharged mostly by downward flow from the Ogallala above.
Dockum Aquifer – Found beneath both the Ogallala and the Edwards-Trinity, this deeper formation can contain groundwater, though quality and yield vary widely and in many areas the water is too saline for typical use.
The High Plains Underground Water Conservation District #1 works to protect, preserve, and conserve these underground water resources across its multi-county service area. They provide data, tools, and guidance to help residents, landowners, and water users make informed decisions about groundwater use and long-term sustainability.
The High Plains Water Conservation District also showcases a Waterwise, drought-tolerant landscape at their office at 2930 Avenue Q, Lubbock, TX 79411, demonstrating practical water-saving landscaping techniques that thrive in our climate and help conserve groundwater.
👉 Learn more about all things water from the High Plains Water Conservation District’s website: Homepage High Plains Underground Water Conservation District #1
City of Lubbock Water Utilities — Your Source for Water Information & Conservation Resources
The City of Lubbock Water Utilities Department manages our community’s water supply with a focus on providing safe, high-quality water, promoting stewardship of our resources, and offering practical guidance to residents on how to use water wisely. From reliable drinking water service to conservation education and landscape resources, the department serves as a central hub for everything you need to know about water in our city.
The City of Lubbock Water Department also features a Waterwise, drought-tolerant landscape demonstration at their facility at 402 E Municipal Dr, Lubbock, TX 79403, offering residents a local example of how attractive, water-efficient landscaping can thrive in our climate while conserving water.
Whether you’re curious about irrigation schedules, drought contingency plans, water conservation tips, or water-wise landscaping ideas, the Water Utilities Department provides useful information and tools to help you make informed decisions that benefit your home and the community. Their resources include educational materials on water-conserving practices and even guidance on creating drought-tolerant landscapes that thrive in our West Texas climate while using less water.
👉 Learn more from the City of Lubbock Water Utilities Department: City of Lubbock, Texas – Departments | Water Utilities Department Education opportunities
Texas Water Development Board & Rainwater Harvesting
The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) plays a vital role in planning for Texas’ water future by providing research, data, funding, and education to support sustainable water use across the state. Their resources help communities, landowners, and homeowners better understand water supply challenges and practical solutions—especially in water-limited regions like West Texas.
One of the key conservation strategies promoted by TWDB is rainwater harvesting. Collecting and storing rainwater can help reduce demand on municipal and groundwater supplies, lower water bills, and provide an efficient water source for landscapes, gardens, and other non-potable uses.
Good to know: In Texas, rainwater harvesting equipment is exempt from state sales tax, making it even more affordable to install a system at your home or business.
👉 Use the state exemption form below when purchasing qualifying rainwater harvesting materials.
Extra savings tip: Texas also offers an annual Water-Efficient Products Sales Tax Holiday, during which qualifying water-saving and lawn irrigation items can be purchased tax-free. This is a great opportunity to invest in efficient irrigation equipment and conservation tools while saving money.
During the tax-free period, many water-saving and lawn irrigation products qualify. These products are intended to help homeowners and businesses use water more efficiently, conserve local water supplies, and maintain healthy landscapes with less runoff and evaporation.
What’s included in the Texas Water-Efficient Products Sales Tax Holiday?
👉 Check the official state list and dates at the link below to confirm eligible items & details before purchasing.
Water-Efficient Products Sales Tax Holiday May 23–25, 2026
More resources:
- How much water do you use?
- Texas ET network’s irrigation technology program
- Water IQ
- Rainwater harvesting
- Texas Water Report Updated January 2026 for 2025