News

Freeze Warning Issued Throughout Texas: Woodlands Water urges Residents to Protect Homes, Backflow Preventers and Landscapes

By The Woodlands Water Agency | January 23, 2026

With freezing temperatures forecasted for the next several days, the Woodlands Water Agency urges customers to take steps now to protect their homes, plumbing and landscapes from potential freeze-related damage.

The Woodlands Water Agency (WWA) General Manager Erich Peterson said, “Taking simple precautions imme- diately can help prevent costly repairs and service disruptions during cold-weather events like this one. We continue to offer tips intended to help prevent water emergencies in extreme weather. If water emergencies occur, customers can contact Woodlands Water at (855) H20-SAVE (426-7283) for assistance in shutting off the household water supply.” WWA staff are preparing and on-call staff will be available 24/7 should an emergency arise.

Tips to Protect Your Home and Plumbing:

Drain and winterize your irrigation backflow preventer.
Locate your home’s water shut-off valve. Being able to shut your water off is critical in an emergency.
Insulate exposed pipes in garages, attics, crawl spaces, and exterior walls.
Disconnect and drain outdoor hoses and irrigation systems.
During prolonged freezes, slow drip outdoor faucets. At night, let indoor faucets drip from hot and cold.
Open cabinet doors under sinks to allow warm air to circulate.
Keep indoor heat on, even when away from home.
Keep interior doors open.
Keep garage doors closed.
Register (if not already) and double-check leak notification settings in WaterSmart, Woodlands Water’s online customer portal. Early alerts can help reduce damage from ruptured pipes.
Run pool pump or place in “antifreeze” mode if available.
Bring pets indoors.
If pipes freeze, turn off water at the house water main shut-off valve to prevent pipes from leaking into the house after they thaw. Do not shut water off at the meter box.

Landscape Protection Tips:

Apply three to four inches of mulch around the base of plants.
Water plants thoroughly before it freezes.
Cover sensitive plants before temperatures drop.
Bring potted plants indoors or move them to protected areas.

Additional freeze protection guidance for homes and landscapes is available at: woodlandswater.org/freeze-protection-for-home-and-landscape

About The Woodlands Water Agency Woodlands Water provides reliable drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater services to residents and businesses in The Woodlands. The utility is committed to protecting public health, infrastructure, and natural resources through proactive planning and customer education. More information is available at woodlandswater.org.

Source: The Woodlands Water Agency