Flower Mound placed 372nd out of nearly 500 U.S. cities in a national ranking of eco-friendly lawn care practices, landing in the bottom quarter of the list.

The 2026 survey by Lawn Love, first reported by the Cross Timbers Gazette, scored municipalities on access to native plant suppliers, local policy incentives, community interest and water-savings programs. Baseline environmental conditions like water stress and drought susceptibility also factored in.

Among Denton County cities on the list, Denton ranked highest at No. 91. Lewisville came in at No. 393.

Lawn Love weighted four categories: Gardening & Green Living at 38%, Policy & Infrastructure at 27%, Water Management at 24% and Public Interest & Engagement at 11%. Metrics included incentives for electric mowers, urban heat island programs, rainwater harvesting rules and Google search volume for sustainability topics.

The ranking arrives during a stretch of drought. Denton County Judge Andy Eads signed a Local Disaster Declaration for Threat of Wildland Fires on Aug. 25, placing a countywide burn ban in effect.

Denton County sits in moderate drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

In 2025, Flower Mound distributed 5.3 billion gallons of water and treated 1.6 billion gallons of wastewater. A majority of the remaining 3.7 billion gallons went to irrigation and filling pools, according to Brian Waltenburg, the town's director of public works. The average irrigation system in Flower Mound pushes 15 to 16 gallons per minute at each station, according to the town.

The town moved on conservation in March when it announced a mandatory watering schedule under Ordinance No. 40-25. Even-numbered addresses water on Tuesday and Friday. Odd-numbered addresses water on Wednesday and Saturday. Commercial properties, HOAs and multi-family complexes get Monday and Thursday. Automatic irrigation and hose-end sprinklers are banned between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Michael Hanemann, professor of economics and Julie A. Wrigley Chair in Sustainability at Arizona State University, told the Gazette that limiting irrigation to a set number of days per week "is the most common and, in my opinion, both the most effective and the most economically efficient strategy."

Lawn Love said a city facing tougher environmental conditions can score lower even with strong sustainability programs, and that the rankings are meant as a starting point for comparison rather than a judgment on any single city.

A separate Lawn Love study published in May found Flower Mound and Lewisville among the most expensive places in the country to water a lawn.

For residents looking to cut water use, the Upper Trinity Regional Water District (UTRWD) offers a free Irrigation System Check-Up Program. A licensed irrigator visits a home for one hour to evaluate the system. Residents can sign up at utrwd.com/water-less-yall.