For homeowners in Morningside Trails who receive water service from New Braunfels Utilities, the message this August is less about keeping every blade of grass green and more about using water wisely through the heart of a hot Texas summer.

New Braunfels Utilities, commonly known as NBU, moved to Conservation Stage 2 on August 10, 2026, as drought conditions continued across the region. Just 10 days later, the utility offered another piece of practical advice for homeowners staring at straw-colored yards: brown grass does not necessarily mean dead grass — and turning on the sprinklers may not always be the answer.

Together, the two updates give residents a clearer picture of what Stage 2 water restrictions mean at home and why allowing a lawn to temporarily go dormant can be part of responsible summer water conservation.

What Stage 2 Water Conservation Means for NBU Customers

NBU's move to Stage 2 was made under the City of New Braunfels Code of Ordinances. Under that ordinance, Mayor Neal Linnartz French, in consultation with NBU, may adjust conservation stages as water supply conditions change.

Stage 2 measures are intended to reduce outdoor water demand while helping protect regional water resources, including the Edwards Aquifer and Comal Springs.

NBU has developed a diversified water supply portfolio to support the community's long-term growth, but the utility says conservation remains important during prolonged periods of drought.

For most residential customers, the rule with the greatest day-to-day impact is the continued limit on automatic irrigation systems and sprinklers.

Automatic sprinklers and irrigation systems may be used only once per week, based on the last digit of the property's service address. Watering is allowed only before 10 a.m. and after 8 p.m.

Those time restrictions are designed in part to reduce evaporation during the hottest portion of the day.

For Morningside Trails residents using NBU water, that means lawn care may require a different mindset than simply trying to maintain a uniformly green yard throughout August.

Hand Watering and Drip Irrigation Are Still Allowed

Stage 2 does not prohibit all outdoor watering.

Customers may use a handheld hose with an automatic shutoff nozzle, bucket, drip irrigation system or non-spraying soaker hose on any day, as long as watering takes place before 10 a.m. or after 8 p.m.

That provides homeowners some flexibility for trees, landscaping, flower beds and other targeted areas without running a full irrigation system.

NBU also encourages residents who do irrigate to water deeply and less frequently, a practice that can encourage stronger root systems while reducing unnecessary water use.

Can Residents Wash Their Cars During Stage 2?

Home vehicle washing is still allowed, but only under specific conditions.

Residents may wash vehicles at home on their property's assigned watering day using either a bucket holding five gallons or less or a hose equipped with an automatic shutoff nozzle.

Commercial car washes may continue to be used on any day.

Decorative fountains and waterfalls that use potable water, meanwhile, remain prohibited under Stage 2.

Water Waste Is Prohibited Year-Round

Some restrictions are not limited to drought stages.

NBU says water waste is prohibited throughout the year, including allowing water to flow into streets or gutters, operating irrigation systems outside permitted days or hours, failing to repair controllable leaks and other unnecessary uses of water.

For homeowners, something as simple as a broken sprinkler head or misaligned irrigation nozzle can add up over time.

NBU notes that even relatively small irrigation leaks can waste thousands of gallons of water, which is why the utility recommends regularly checking sprinkler systems for leaks, broken heads and overspray.

That Brown Lawn May Not Need More Water

One of the more reassuring pieces of NBU's summer conservation guidance may be especially welcome to homeowners who have watched their lawns lose their green color.

Grass can enter dormancy, a natural survival response that allows the plant to conserve energy and moisture during periods of extreme heat or limited rainfall.

Dormant grass often turns brown or straw-colored above ground while its roots remain alive beneath the soil.

In other words, a lawn that looks stressed in August may simply be waiting for cooler temperatures and additional moisture.

Dead grass tends to behave differently. NBU says dead grass often pulls easily from the soil and will not recover after rainfall or watering, while dormant turf typically begins greening again when conditions improve.

That distinction matters because one of the most common lawn-care misconceptions is that brown grass automatically needs more irrigation.

More Water Is Not Always Better for a Texas Lawn

Overwatering can create its own problems.

According to NBU, excessive watering can encourage shallow root growth, increase the likelihood of turf disease and consume water without meaningfully improving lawn health.

That makes conservation and healthy landscaping less contradictory than they may initially appear.

A temporarily brown lawn can sometimes be doing exactly what grass is biologically designed to do during drought: slow its growth and conserve resources until more favorable weather returns.

For families in Morningside Trails, that may make the occasional crunch of dry-looking grass underfoot a little easier to accept this summer.

Summer Irrigation Is a Major Source of Water Demand

Outdoor irrigation is one of the largest contributors to seasonal water demand, particularly during the hottest months when rainfall can be limited and landscapes require more attention.

NBU says its long-term water outlook remains strong, but maintaining that reliability is a shared responsibility.

Small changes made across thousands of homes — shortening irrigation cycles, fixing leaks, avoiding midday watering or allowing turf to become dormant — can collectively reduce demand on the water system.

That communitywide effect is especially important during periods when drought conditions place additional pressure on regional water sources.

NBU Offers Free Home and Irrigation Assessments

Homeowners who are unsure whether their irrigation system is using too much water can also request assistance directly from New Braunfels Utilities.

Through NBU's free home assessments and irrigation evaluations, the utility's Conservation and Customer Solutions team works with customers to identify practical ways to reduce both water use and utility costs.

Assessments may include reviewing irrigation systems, discussing household water-use habits and providing personalized conservation recommendations.

NBU also offers an Irrigation Zone Removal Rebate for qualifying customers who permanently remove irrigation zones they no longer need or use.

For a homeowner reconsidering how much turf needs automatic watering — particularly during recurring drought conditions — the program can provide another route toward lowering long-term outdoor water use.

What Residents Should Remember During Stage 2

The simplest takeaway is that Stage 2 water conservation does not require residents to abandon their landscapes. Instead, it asks customers to become more deliberate about when, where and how they use water.

Automatic irrigation remains limited to once per week on the assigned watering day and only before 10 a.m. or after 8 p.m. More targeted watering methods remain available on other days during those permitted hours.

And if parts of the yard turn brown, homeowners may want to check whether the grass is dormant before assuming it needs additional water.

In a region where summer heat, drought and rapid population growth all shape the conversation around water, conserving a little at each household can add up across an entire community.

For NBU customers, that may mean accepting a lawn that looks a little less green in August in exchange for stronger regional water conservation — knowing that, in many cases, the grass is simply resting until better growing conditions return.

Residents can stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for additional New Braunfels Utilities water restriction updates, drought information and other news affecting Morningside Trails.

By Tiffany Krenek, My Neighborhood News 

Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.

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