Summer is just around the corner and currently, abnormally dry to moderate drought conditions exist for Austin and the surrounding areas. Abnormally dry conditions now account for 6.34% of overall drought areas in Texas, while moderate drought conditions account for 5.66%.
Here’s an update on watering restrictions for Austin and surrounding areas:
Austin
Austin is currently in Conservation Stage water restrictions.
Hose-end sprinklers:
Odd numbered addresses: Wednesday and Saturday
Even numbered addresses: Thursday and Sunday
Residential irrigation is allowed two days a week between midnight to 10 a.m., and 7 p.m. to midnight.
Automatic Irrigation:
Odd numbered addresses: Wednesday only
Even numbered addresses: Thursday only
Residential irrigation is allowed between midnight to 10 a.m., and 7 p.m. to midnight only one day a week. Residential customers may also water a second day with a hose-end sprinkler.
Washing vehicles at home is permitted with an auto shut-off hose or bucket.
The following are allowed at any time on any day of the week:
- Watering with drip irrigation, a hand-held hose, or a refillable container
- Watering trees with a Treegator®, soaker hose, or automatic tree bubbler
- Watering vegetable gardens with a soaker hose
- Pressure washing sidewalks, driveways, decks, patios, paved areas, home siding, or fences
Fountains must recirculate water.
Further details can be found at: Austin Water.
West Travis County Public Utility Agency (WTCPUA)
The WTCPUA updated its mandatory watering guidelines on August 1, 2019 and is currently on a Stage 2 schedule.
Residential watering is allowed with hose-end sprinklers or automatic irrigation systems 2 days a week from midnight to 10 a.m., and from 7 p.m. to midnight.
Residential addresses ending in 0, 1, 2, 3: Monday and Thursday
Residential addresses ending in 4, 5, 6: Tuesday and Friday
Residential addresses ending in 7, 8, 9: Wednesday and Saturday
Commercial customers (including HOA (Homeowners’ Association) and POA (Property Owners’ Association) addresses): Tuesday and Friday
No watering allowed on Sundays.
For more information visit: West Travis County PUA.
District 17
District 17 is currently on a Stage 1 watering schedule.
Automated irrigation allowed 2 days a week before 10:00 a.m., and after 7:00 p.m. on designated days:
Residential numbers ending in 0, 1, 2, 3: Mondays and Thursdays
Residential numbers ending in 4, 5, 6: Tuesdays and Fridays
Residential numbers ending in 7, 8, 9: Wednesdays and Saturdays
No automated system allowed on Sundays.
Commercial and HOAs: Tuesdays and Fridays
Customers using automated systems may not water the same landscape areas using hose-end sprinklers — only hand-held hose allowed if additional water is required.
Hose-end sprinkler permitted any day, but not between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Only for customers who do not have automated irrigation systems.
Other irrigation methods: hand-held hose, soaker hose, bubbler, drip irrigation, or watering can of 5 gallons or less are allowed any day, any time.
Other water uses not restricted: car washing, pool refills, use of outdoor fountains, etc.
More information at: Travis County Water Control District 17.
Lakeway
The Lakeway Municipal Utility District (LMUD) is in Stage 2 water restrictions year-round for outdoor use of in-ground/automatic irrigation systems or hose-end sprinklers.
Watering is allowed 2 days a week from midnight to 10 a.m., and 7 p.m. to midnight. No watering is allowed between 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Residential numbers ending in 0, 1, 2, 3: Mondays and Thursdays
Residential numbers ending in 4, 5, 6: Tuesdays and Fridays
Residential numbers ending in 7, 8, 9: Wednesdays and Saturdays
Commercial (including HOA common areas): Tuesdays and Fridays
Watering by hand, power washing, car washing, etc. is allowed any day at any time.
For further details see: Lakeway Municipal Utility District.
Pflugerville
Pflugerville is under Mandatory Stage 2 water restrictions, which allow watering by a permanently installed automatic irrigation system 2 times per week on designated days before 10 a.m., and after 7 p.m.
Odd numbered addresses: Wednesdays and Saturdays
Even numbered addresses: Thursdays and Sundays
No watering on Mondays.
Commercial facilities (civic, commercial, industrial and institutional properties, apartments and condominiums) may water on Tuesdays and Fridays.
Hand watering is permitted at any time if it is by means of a hand-held hose equipped with a positive shutoff nozzle, a faucet-filled bucket, or watering can of five gallons or less.
Outdoor irrigation is permitted by a hose-end sprinkler, a soaker hose, or drip irrigation from midnight to 10:00 a.m., and 7:00 p.m. to midnight on designated watering days.
Washing any motor vehicle, motorbike, boat, trailer, or other vehicle is permitted on designated watering days from midnight to 10:00 a.m., and 7:00 p.m. to midnight, provided you use a hand-held bucket or a hand-held hose equipped with a positive shutoff nozzle.
More information is available at: Pflugerville Mandatory Water
Conservation, and Drought Contingency Plan.
BUDA
The City of Buda is currently not under any drought restrictions. Year-round water use allowances and restrictions are in effect.
Irrigation with hose-end sprinklers and automatic sprinkler systems is prohibited between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Customers are encouraged to abide by the year-round voluntary irrigation schedule:
Odd numbered addresses: Wednesday and Saturday
Even numbered addresses: Thursday and Sunday
Commercial, mixed use, and multifamily: Tuesday and Friday
Irrigation with a hand-held bucket, hand-held hose, soaker hose, or drip irrigation is allowed on any day and at any time.
Irrigation of vegetable gardens with a hand-held bucket, hand-held hose, soaker hose, or drip irrigation is allowed on any day and at any time.
Noncommercial vehicle washing is allowed on any day and at any time but must be done using a hand-held bucket or a hand-held hose equipped with a positive shutoff device.
Swimming pools are allowed to operate and be filled as normal. It is recommended that swimming pools be covered while not in use to minimize evaporative losses.
Complete information is available at: Buda Water Conservation.
Wimberley
Wimberley is currently under Stage 1 restrictions.
Irrigation with hose-end sprinklers or automatic irrigation systems is allowed between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m., and between 8:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m.
Odd numbered addresses: Saturdays and Wednesdays
Even numbered addresses: Sundays and Thursdays
Irrigation is allowed any day between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m., and between 8:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. by means of a hand-held hose, a faucet-filled bucket, a watering can of 5 gallons or less, or a drip irrigation system.
Washing any motor vehicle, motorbike, boat, trailer, or other vehicle is permitted on designated watering days between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m., and between 8:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m., provided you use a hand-held hose equipped with a positive shutoff nozzle for quick rinses.
Filling and refilling, or adding to any indoor or outdoor swimming pools, wading pools, or jacuzzi-type pools, is allowed on designated watering days between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m., and between 8:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. Twenty-five percent of swimming pool water surface must be covered to minimize evaporation when the pool is not in use.
More information is available at the Wimberley Water Supply Corporation.
A full list of Texas public water systems limiting water use to avoid shortages is published by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, and is updated weekly.
The City of Austin website lists a number of ways to conserve water for kitchens, laundry rooms, vehicles and surfaces, bathrooms, pools, and fountains, along with other helpful suggestions.
As well, having your irrigation system professionally inspected and maintained is one of the most effective actions you can take to conserve water while supporting a healthy landscape.
Call South Austin Irrigation at (512) 534-7449 or contact us online for prompt, reliable service.
