Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup
Key FactsOrdinance TextFull BreakdownViolationsFAQSourcesMore in Conroe

Conroe, TX Water Use Rules: Recycled Water Rules (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Piping color
Purple required
Spray limit
No crossing neighboring property lines
Sign requirement
English/Spanish "DO NOT DRINK"
Cross-connection
Never with potable supply
Backflow test
Annual, by licensed tester
Penalty
Up to $500 per day

Summary

Conroe Code of Ordinances § 14-492 allows reclaimed water in landscape irrigation only under strict conditions: no contact with unpasteurized edible crops, no spray across property lines, purple piping, no cross-connection to the potable supply, and a bilingual "DO NOT DRINK" warning sign posted where the water is used.

Reclaimed water may be used in landscape irrigation systems if: (1)There is no direct contact with edible crops, unless the crop is pasteurized before consumption;(2)The irrigation system does not spray water across property lines that do not belong to the irrigation system's owner;(3)The irrigation system is installed using purple piping and components;(4)The irrigation system is not cross connected with a potable water source and;(5)A minimum of an eight inch by eight inch sign, in English and Spanish, is prominently posted on/in the area that is being irrigated, that reads "RECLAIMED WATER - DO NOT DRINK" and "AGUA DE RECUPERACION - NO BEBER"....Any person violating any provision of this article shall, upon conviction, be fined in an amount not to exceed $500.00 as provide by section 1-13 of this Code. Each violation and each day a violation of this article exists shall constitute a separate offense.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 85).

Full Breakdown

" Every irrigation installer must also comply with the backflow protections in § 14-493: a Pressure Vacuum Breaker, Reduced Pressure Zone device, or Double Check Valve must protect the potable supply from cross-contamination, with an RPZ mandatory wherever chemicals are induced into the system or a health hazard exists; a PVB must sit at least one foot above the highest sprinkler head, while an RPZ or DC must be installed at least 12 inches above grade in an accessible testing box. The device must be tested by a licensed certified tester at installation and annually after that. 00 general liability policy, then secure a permit with engineer-sealed plans before work begins.

Violations & Fines

Section 14-495 makes any violation of the lawn-irrigation article, including misusing reclaimed water outside these five conditions, punishable by a fine of up to $500.00 upon conviction under the city's general penalty section, § 1-13. Each day the violation continues, and each separate instance of noncompliance, counts as its own offense, so an unposted warning sign or a missing backflow device can generate a new fine every day it stays uncorrected.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I irrigate my lawn with reclaimed water in Conroe?
Yes, but only if you meet all five conditions in Code of Ordinances § 14-492: no contact with unpasteurized edible crops, no spray crossing onto a neighbor's property, purple piping and components, no cross-connection to the potable water line, and a posted bilingual "DO NOT DRINK" sign at the irrigated area.
What sign does Conroe require for reclaimed-water irrigation?
An eight-inch by eight-inch sign, in English and Spanish, posted where the irrigation occurs, reading "RECLAIMED WATER - DO NOT DRINK" and "AGUA DE RECUPERACION - NO BEBER," as required by § 14-492(a)(5). It must stay visible at the irrigated site so residents, workers, and children know not to drink from the sprinklers or hoses.
Does a reclaimed-water backflow device have to be tested?
Yes. Section 14-493 requires the backflow device, whether a Pressure Vacuum Breaker, Reduced Pressure Zone device, or Double Check Valve, to be tested by a licensed certified tester when it's installed and again every year after that, with the report attached to the device for inspection.
What is the penalty for violating Conroe's irrigation ordinance?
Section 14-495 sets a fine of up to $500.00 per violation, and every day a violation continues, plus each separate instance of noncompliance, is treated as its own offense, so uncorrected problems like a missing sign or bad backflow device can add up fast.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Conroe

Landscaping Rules: Water RestrictionsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: RV & Boat ParkingSome RestrictionsLeak Reporting DutySome RestrictionsParking Rules: Driveway RulesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Loading ZonesSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Breed RestrictionsSome RestrictionsFire Regulations: Outdoor BurningSignificant Restrictions

All Conroe rules

Texas rules heatmap·Compare Conroe to another location·View the Texas water use rules overview

Get notified when Recycled Water Rules in Conroe, TX changes

We'll email you the moment we detect a change in the code. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We'll never sell or share your email. One-click unsubscribe in every email.

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.