Fulshear residents and businesses can water their lawns without drought restrictions again after the city lifted its Stage 1 drought contingency plan.

The city announced the end of restrictions Oct. 23, citing improved weather conditions and the community's efforts to voluntarily reduce water usage, according to a city news release.

The city thanked residents and businesses who followed Stage 1 guidelines and helped meet conservation goals. Although restrictions are no longer in effect, the city encouraged continued responsible water conservation to help protect Fulshear's water supply.

What Stage 1 required

Stage 1 went into effect Aug. 31 after city officials announced the drought contingency plan in an Aug. 28 news release, Community Impact reported. Under the plan, residents and businesses were asked to voluntarily limit outdoor watering to twice per week with a target of reducing usage by 2%.

Odd-numbered addresses could water on Sundays and Thursdays. Even-numbered addresses could water on Wednesdays and Saturdays. No watering was scheduled on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays. Outdoor watering between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. was also restricted.

Other prohibited uses included washing sidewalks, driveways and parking lots, using water for dust control and flushing gutters. The city also increased leak detection and repair efforts during the restriction period.

Under Fulshear's three-stage drought contingency plan, approved in 2024, the mayor has the authority to enact Stage 1 due to weather conditions, supply system issues or unforeseen circumstances, according to Community Impact.

Broader water supply picture

The drought restrictions came during a period of significant change for Fulshear's water infrastructure. On Sept. 15, Fulshear City Council approved a 20-year water supply agreement with the North Fort Bend Water Authority (NFBWA), as Community Impact reported.

Under that deal, NFBWA will provide at least 1.4 million gallons of water per day to Fulshear. The agreement also eliminated the need for roughly $40 million in planned improvements at the McKinnon Water Plant, according to a city staff memo cited by My Neighborhood News.

The city's Oct. 23 announcement lifting drought restrictions did not reference the NFBWA agreement. The lift was attributed to weather improvement and community conservation.

Councilmember Camron K. Miller, who serves on the city's Strategic Water/Wastewater Infrastructure Planning committee, said during the September discussion that securing reliable water was a main objective. "Secure reliable and clean water for all residents in Fulshear, and this agreement will do that," Miller said, according to My Neighborhood News.

Surface water delivery to the Fulshear Bend Water Plant may begin by Dec. 31, 2027, followed by the FM 1093 Water Plant by Dec. 31, 2028. Those are anticipated targets, not guaranteed deadlines.