Last year at this time, more than 80% of Texas was experiencing drought, and Austin had entered Stage 1 water restrictions. It’s a completely different story in 2019. To date, only a few pockets of abnormally dry conditions can be seen all across the state, with the moderate (under 2%) and severe drought (under 1%) classifications confined to South Texas.
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/or 7 p.m. to midnight using a hose-end sprinkler.
Automatic Irrigation:
Odd numbered addresses: Wednesday only
Even numbered addresses: Thursday only
Residential irrigation is allowed between midnight to 10 a.m. and/or 7 p.m. to midnight only one day a week using automatic irrigation. 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:
- 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 the water.
Further details can be found at: Austin Water
West Travis County Public Utility Agency (WTCPUA)
The WTCPUA implemented Mandatory Watering Restriction, effective July 1, 2019.
Residential watering is allowed 2 days a week from midnight to 10 a.m., and 7 p.m. to midnight.
Odd numbered addresses: Wednesday and Saturday
Even numbered addresses: Thursday and Sunday
Commercial watering: Monday and Friday (including HOA common areas)
For more information, visit: West Travis County PUA
District 17
District 17 is currently on a Stage 1 watering schedule.
Automated irrigation watering schedule (a system controlled by a timer or other remote controller) allowed 2 days a week before 10:00 a.m. and/or after 7:00 p.m. on designated days:
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
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 (garden hose with removable portable sprinkler which is moved from place to place by hand and turned on and off by hand) 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) has now instituted 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.
Odd numbered addresses: Wednesday and Saturday
Even numbered addresses: Thursday and Sunday
Commercial (including HOA common areas): Tuesday and Friday
Power washing, car washing, etc. are still allowed during these restrictions.
For further details see: Lakeway Municipal Utility District
Pflugerville
Pflugerville is on a Stage II water conservation schedule, which allows irrigation between midnight and 10 a.m., or 7:00 p.m. to midnight 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 10 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
Keep receipts on all new landscape purchases.
Hand watering is permitted any day between midnight and 10 a.m., and from 7:00 p.m. to midnight, but only with a hand-held, positive shutoff nozzle or bucket.
Car washing and other vehicle washing is permitted on your watering days before 10 a.m. and after 7 p.m., provided you use a bucket or hand-held hose equipped with a shutoff nozzle.
Filling and refilling indoor or outdoor swimming pools, wading pools or jacuzzi-type pools is allowed on your watering days between 6 p.m. and 10 a.m.
Operation of ornamental ponds or fountains is not permitted unless it is necessary to support aquatic life, or the ponds are equipped with a recirculation system.
More information is available at: Pflugerville Mandatory Water Conservation
Buda
The City of Buda is not currently 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 handheld bucket, handheld hose, soaker hose, or drip irrigation is allowed on any day and at any time.
Irrigation of vegetable gardens with a handheld bucket, handheld hose, soaker hose, or drip irrigation is allowed on any day and at any time.
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.
Noncommercial vehicle washing is allowed on any day and at any time, but must be done using a handheld bucket or a handheld 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.
Nonessential water uses are allowed, but all reasonable measures should be taken to limit their use.
Complete information is available at: Buda Water Planning & Conservation
Wimberley
Wimberley is not currently under any drought restrictions and is operating under its permanent year-round water use guidelines.
Irrigation with hose-end sprinklers and automatic sprinkler irrigation systems is prohibited during the day between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Irrigation with a hand-held bucket, hand-held hose, soaker hose, and drip irrigation system is allowed on any day at any time.
Residential 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 pools be covered while not in use to minimize evaporative losses.
Nonessential water uses are allowed but reasonable measures should be taken to limit usage.
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, 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 at the same time supporting a healthy landscape.
For the very best in maintenance and repair to your sprinkler system, call the experts at South Austin Irrigation at (512) 534-7449 or complete our Service Request form.
