A fresh bout of rain has greened up lawns across Runnels County, but city officials say it’s no time to crank up the sprinklers. In a social-media notice posted late Wednesday, the City of Ballinger reminded residents that the community remains under Stage 3 water restrictions “until further notice.”
What Stage 3 Means for Your Hose, Sprinkler or Pool
Under the updated conservation plan:
- Landscape watering is tightly limited. Irrigation with automatic sprinklers or in-ground systems is only allowed on your assigned watering day outside the hours of 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Hand-held hoses are still permitted, but someone must be on the other end of the nozzle the entire time.
- Fire hydrants are off-limits except for genuine firefighting. If you need bulk water for construction or other uses, you’ll have to purchase it at the city’s bulk loading station.
- Wasteful practices are banned. Letting water run more than 75 feet beyond your property, ignoring a controllable leak, or hosing down driveways and sidewalks (unless there’s an urgent fire, health or safety hazard) will now cost you.
- Pools are on pause. Filling, refilling or even “topping off” swimming and wading pools is prohibited until Stage 3 is lifted.
Fines That Will Make You Sweat More Than the Summer Heat
Violators face some of the steepest penalties Ballinger has imposed in years:
- Residential first offense: $300 per violation
- Residential second offense: $500 and possible water shut-off, plus a $200 reconnect fee
- Commercial/industrial: $500 per violation, with repeat offenses triggering service termination and a $500 reconnect fee
The city adds one caveat: Property owners can claim an “affirmative defense” if they prove the water in question came from a properly functioning private well serving that address.
Why the Crackdown Now?
City leaders say the recent rains were welcome—but merely a blip on the long-term water ledger. With hotter, drier months on the horizon, Ballinger’s reservoirs and groundwater supplies need every gallon residents can spare.
“We can’t rely on a single wet week to carry us through a Texas summer,” a spokesperson for the Utilities Department said. “Stage 3 keeps us ahead of the curve rather than scrambling once levels drop.”
How to Get Answers—or Appeal a Citation
Residents with questions about their assigned watering day or the specifics of the ordinance can contact Ballinger City Hall at 325-365-3511 during regular business hours (Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.), or visit the municipal offices at 700 Railroad Avenue.
Bottom line: Even though the lawns look lush today, conserving water now may keep Ballinger from sliding into even tougher restrictions later. Do your part—your wallet, your neighbors, and your city will thank you for it.
