Fort Worth, TX Water Use Rules: Recycled Water Rules (2026)

Article VIII of Chapter 35, added by Ordinance 19543-02-2011, governs reclaimed water: treated effluent that meets TCEQ's authorization and the Texas Administrative Code Title 30, Chapter 210 standard. A property owner or manager must apply to the director and sign a standard reclaimed water service agreement before service begins (§§ 35-173, 35-174); the agreement is non-transferable to a new owner. Section 35-182 caps lawful use to turf and landscape irrigation, non-food industrial processes, nonresidential toilet and urinal flushing, construction activity, vehicle washing, air conditioning cooling towers, and other director-authorized uses, all confined to the site named in the agreement.

Users must let the city inspect onsite facilities annually and allow director access to offsite and onsite facilities without prior notice during business hours (§ 35-183), post bilingual "Reclaimed Water, Do Not Drink" / "Agua de Recuperacion - No Beber" signs at least eight inches by eight inches on every storage area, hose bib and faucet (§ 35-184), and keep onsite pipes leak-free at their own expense (§ 35-185). Section 35-186 lists thirteen specific prohibited acts, including using reclaimed water outside the approved area, allowing windblown spray to drift off-site, creating cross-connections with a potable system, tampering with valves or meters, taking service without payment, and defacing warning signs.

7364 per 1,000 gallons effective October 1, 2018, rising 5% every year after, plus a separate council-adopted schedule covering application, tap, meter, engineering, front-footage, main-capacity, reconnection and reinstatement fees. Bills are due within 21 days of the water department's bill date and draw a 5% late fee if unpaid within 24 days (§ 35-190).