Summer 2018 Water Restrictions for Austin and Surrounding Areas

Matt Sorenson

With summer comes spelunking, barbequing, kayaking on Lady Bird Lake, visits to Krause Springs.  And water restrictions. 

The State of Texas reports that abnormal dryness or drought are affecting approximately 16.2 million people in the state, about 65% of the population and most Municipal Utility Districts are imposing restrictions that will help to conserve water.

WTCPUA

WTCPUA allows watering two days a week between the hours of 4:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. to midnight:

Odd numbered addresses: Wednesday and Saturday

Even numbered addresses: Thursday and Sunday

Commercial: Monday and Friday

Commercial includes large landscapes and HOA common areas

For more information, please visit: http://www.wtcpua.org/news-detail?item_id=8922

DISTRICT 17

Automated Irrigation (a system with a timer or otherwise controlled)

Between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m. only

Residence numbers ending in 0, 1, 2, 3: Mondays and Thursdays

Residence numbers ending in 4, 5, 6: Tuesdays and Fridays

Residence numbers ending in 7, 8, 9: Wednesdays and Saturdays

Commercial and HOAs: Tuesdays and Fridays

Hose End Sprinkler (garden hose with removable portable sprinkler which is moved from place to place by hand and turned on and off by hand)

Any day between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m. only

Other Irrigation Methods (hand held hose, soaker hose, bubbler, drip irrigation or watering can of 5 gallons or less)

Any day, any time

No other water uses are allowed under Stage 1 restrictions: car washing, pool refills, use of outdoor fountains, etc is not allowed).

More details are at: http://www.wcid17.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/2016-04_Stage1.pdf

LAKEWAY

Lakeway is on a Stage 1 schedule.  Watering is allowed two days each week and this applies to an in-ground irrigations schedule or a hose-end sprinkler.

Odd numbered addresses: Wednesday and Saturday

Even numbered addresses: Thursday and Sunday

Commercial: Tuesday and Friday

Irrigation is allowed between the hours of 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 a.m. only.

Power washing and car washing are allowed.

Please see http://www.lakewaymud.org/conservation/irrigation-schedule/ for full details.

PFLUGERVILLE

Pflugerville is in the Stage II water conservation schedule which allows irrigation between the hours of 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 a.m. on designated days.

Odd numbered addresses: Wednesday and Saturday

Even numbered addresses: Thursday and Sunday

Commercial: Tuesday and Friday

There is an exception for new lawn installations:

For the first ten days after installation, once a day

For days 11 through 20 after installation, once every other day

For days 21 through 30 after installation, once every third day

Be sure to keep your receipt verifying installation date.

Hand watering is permitted any day between the hours of 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 a.m.

Car and other vehicle washing is permitted on your watering days between the hours of 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 a.m. provided you use a bucket or a hand-held hose with a shutoff nozzle.

Filling or refilling indoor or outdoor swimming pools, wading pools or Jacuzzis is permitted on your watering days between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m.

Operation of ornamental ponds or fountains is not permitted unless it is necessary to aquatic life or if the pond is equipped with a recirculation system.

Pflugerville water restrictions

AUSTIN

Residential irrigation is allowed between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m. only on designated days.

Hose End Sprinklers

Odd numbered addresses: Wednesday and Saturday

Even numbered addresses: Thursday and Sunday

Automatic Irrigation

Odd numbered addresses Wednesday only

Even numbered addresses Thursday only

Residential customers are allowed to use their automatic irrigation system on one day only but may water on their second allowed day with a hose-end sprinkler.

Home car washing is allowed with the use of a bucker or auto shut-off hose

Tree bubblers, hand-held hose, refillable container, and drip irrigation may be used any time, any day.

Watering vegetable garden with a soaker hose is allowed any time, any day.

Commercial and Multi-Family, between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m. only

Further details are at: http://www.austintexas.gov/department/watering-restrictions

BUDA

The City of Buda has announced a return to Stage 1 water restrictions.

Odd numbered addresses Wednesday and Saturday

Even numbered addresses Thursday and Sunday

Commercial, mix-use, and multi-family Tuesday and Friday

Between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m. only


Outdoor watering with handheld bucket, handheld hose with a positive shutoff device, soaker hose and/or drip irrigation systems are permitted at any time on any day.

Washing your vehicle is allowed at any time, any day provided that it is done using a handled bucket or a handheld hose equipped with a shutoff device.

Irrigation of vegetable gardens with a handheld bucket, handheld hose, soaker hose or drip irrigation system is allowed on any day and at anytime.

Irrigation of protected trees by a soaker hose, automatic bubbler, tree watering bag, or similar device placed within the tree’s dripline is allowed on any day and at any time.

Commercial nurseries are subject to the time restrictions when using automated irrigation systems, but may operate on any day. Use of handheld bucket, handheld hose with a positive shutoff device, soaker hose and/or drip irrigation systems are permitted at any time on any day.

Date and time restrictions for irrigation do not apply during repair or testing of a new or existing irrigation system if the person performing the testing is present.  The irrigation system shall only be operated as long as is necessary to diagnose and complete repairs.

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.

The full announcement is available at: Buda Water Restrictions

WIMBERLEY

Wimberley has announced Stage II water restrictions.

Odd numbered addresses Wednesday and Saturday

Even numbered addresses Thursday and Sunday

Between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Irrigation of landscaped areas is permitted on designated days by means of a hand-held hose, a faucet filled bucket or watering can of five (5) gallons or less or drip irrigation system.

Use of water for non-essential purposes is not allowed.  Non-essential purposes includes:

  • Use of water to wash any motor vehicle, motorbike, boat, trailer, aircraft or other vehicle
  • Use of water to wash down any sidewalks, walkways, driveways, parking lots, tennis courts or other hard surfaced areas
  • Use of water to wash down buildings or structures for purposes other than immediate fire protection
  • Flushing gutters or permitting water to run or accumulate in any gutter or street
  • Use of water to fill, refill or add to any indoor or outdoor swimming pools or Jacuzzi-type pools
  • Use of water in a fountain or pond except where necessary to support aquatic life

It is also a violation of water regulations in Wimberley fail to repair a controllable leak or leaks within a reasonable period after having been given notice directing the repair of such leaks.

The regulations can be seen in full at: https://www.wimberleywatersupplycorp.com/

and at: https://nebula.wsimg.com/3551b50e256ad2c5d84b460e9e7e415d?AccessKeyId=EC49E517D8C7F3E6D2CB&disposition=0&alloworigin=1

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality publishes the full list of “Texas Public Water Systems Limiting Water Use to Avoid Shortages”, updated weekly, at:  https://www.tceq.texas.gov/drinkingwater/trot/droughtw.html

There are a number of steps you can take to conserve water.  One of the most effective things you can do is to have your irrigation system professionally inspected and maintained.  A professional inspection will include:

  • checking your sprinkler heads and adjusting them for proper coverage that conforms to your landscape
  • repair or replacement of faulty sprinkler heads or valves
  • adjusting and regulating your timer to suit local temperature and rainfall
  • inspection and replacement of backflow as needed
  • inspection and repair of lines as needed
  • remediation of leaks

Not only will routine maintenance of your irrigation system save you money in water bills and in fines you may inadvertently incur for unintentional non-compliance, it will keep your lawn healthy and flourishing.

For the finest in customer service and technical expertise call us today at (512) 534-7449.