What the state bulletin says about moisture
The TDLR bulletin on foundations on expansive soils says that proper surface drainage, plant choices, sprinkling practices and long-term maintenance are all important in minimizing fluctuations in the soil water content. It also says builders must make sure water drains away from the house on all sides, and that homeowners must be made aware that changes in drainage flow can cause damage. The same bulletin says moisture swings, not only dryness, drive movement: wet soil can heave and dry soil can collapse.
The USDA description of the Houston Black clay, an example of this kind of soil, adds that cracks in dry soil let water in fast, while moist soil takes water in very slowly (see the clay soil guide). We use it as an example of the behavior, not as a statement about your lot.
San Antonio watering rules follow the Edwards Aquifer
The San Antonio Water System drought page says restrictions depend on the Edwards Aquifer level at a monitored well. Stage 1 begins when the 10-day rolling average drops to 660 feet above mean sea level. We read these rules on November 6, 2026:
- Above 660 feet: watering with an irrigation system, sprinkler or soaker hose is allowed any day from midnight to 10 a.m. and from 9 p.m. to midnight.
- Stage 1: the same methods are allowed only once a week, on your designated watering day, in those hours. Drip irrigation may run up to three times a week, on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, during watering hours.
- Later stages are stricter. We did not copy them here because they change. Read the current page.
Soaker hoses fall under the same rule as sprinklers on that page. We found no statement about watering a foundation. Ask SAWS if you want to know.
Questions to ask
- Does my lot have drainage that moves water away from the house on all sides, and who looked at it?
- Do trees or large plants near the house change the soil moisture on that side?
- Does the repair plan include drainage or moisture changes, and who is responsible for them after the work?
- What does SAWS say about watering near a foundation under the stage we are in now?
Sources: TDLR IHB TB 10-01 and SAWS drought restrictions, read November 6, 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Can I water my foundation during a drought stage?
The SAWS page has no foundation watering exception. It groups soaker hoses with irrigation systems and sprinklers in its stage rules. Ask SAWS about your case before you water, and ask an engineer whether watering fits your situation at all.
Does too much water cause problems too?
The TDLR bulletin says soils at high moisture heave and soils at low moisture collapse, so both swings matter. It also says drainage, plant choices, sprinkling practices and long-term maintenance all help limit changes in soil moisture.
What stage is San Antonio in right now?
We do not say, because the stage changes with the Edwards Aquifer level. Check the SAWS page for the current stage.