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Jul 21, 2023

What is your watering schedule? Water restrictions in the Austin area

As temperatures stay steadily in the triple digits, the state has enacted restrictions on water usage in an effort to conserve water. Although the state is not facing the severe drought conditions it

As temperatures stay steadily in the triple digits, the state has enacted restrictions on water usage in an effort to conserve water.

Although the state is not facing the severe drought conditions it had a year ago, water conservation is still necessary during extreme heat conditions. Burn bans have been put in place for Travis, Bastrop and Williamson County due to high temperatures.

This time last year, about 99.2% of the state was experiencing drought from "abnormally dry," the lowest level of drought, to "exceptional drought," the most severe level, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Currently, the drought monitor has Travis County listed as "moderate" to "severe" drought conditions, with Hays County ranging from "moderate" to "extreme" drought conditions.

Triggers for additional water restrictions include water supply shortages, water demand and emergency conditions.

Here are water restrictions of cities in the Austin area as conservation efforts continue across the state.

Currently, the city of Austin is in Stage 1 Drought Water Use Restrictions, which has a water use reduction goal of 5%. Austin has three water treatment plants, which draw from the Colorado River.

To conserve water, Austin is asking residents to:

Other rules include:

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Round Rock is also in stage one drought conditions, with conservation efforts in place. The city's primary drinking water source is Lake Georgetown. A twice-per-week watering schedule is put in place, with watering times from midnight to noon and 7:00 p.m. to midnight. Watering days vary by address.

Outdoor watering restrictions that are only allowed twice per week include:

Prohibitions include:

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According to Cedar Park officials, stage two water conservation measures are in effect. Restrictions for stage two state that irrigation and hose-end sprinkler watering is allowed before 10 a.m. and after 7 p.m. on designated watering days. Cedar Park's drinking water source is Lake Travis.

The city announced stage three water restrictions for customers in the western side of the City of Georgetown's service area through Sept. 4 "due to excessive irrigation, water supply challenges, and severe drought conditions," according to a city press release on July 17. The stage three restrictions affect 35% of the city's customers, the rest being in stage two restrictions. You can find out what stage your area is in here.

Areas in stage three drought conditions include:

Rules include:

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San Marcos entered stage three drought restrictions beginning on July 2 due to dropping aquifer levels, according to a city press release. A stage three drought restriction is implemented "when the 10-day average Edwards Aquifer index well level falls below 640 feet above mean sea level," according to the release. The last time the city was in stage 3 drought restrictions was in 2015. San Marcos main water source is Canyon Lake.

Rules include:

Aqua Water Supply Corporation, which supplies Bastrop and surrounding areas, moved to stage two drought response on June 26 due to high system demand, according to an AWSC press release.

According to the press release, the rules include:

According to the press release, non-essential water usage is prohibited, including: