On August 30, 2012 Stage 2 Water Restrictions took effect. From July 16 - August 29 Stage 1 Mandatory Watering Restrictions were in effect for Austin Water Customers.

Click here to view the current Stage 2 Watering Restrictions.

Wasting water is prohibited year-round in Austin. To ensure you do not waste water, be mindful of leaking faucets and pipes, irrigation systems operating with misdirected or broken sprinkler heads, and irrigation runoff.  Find out more about available Rebates and Programs to help save water and get information about detecting water-wasting leaks.

Watering Schedule Variances

In limited situations, we may grant a variance from the watering schedule. Please note that applicants must follow the current watering schedule until a variance application is approved.

Violations

Please note that violations of this ordinance are considered a Class C Misdemeanor, with each instance punishable by a fine of up to $500. Report any violations by calling 3-1-1.

What else do you need to know?

• Austin Water will be enforcing reduced watering hours under Stage 1, consistent with new code language that will be presented to City Council on August 2. The City Manager has the authority to add this additional restriction under our current code.
• Your irrigation system may operate between midnight and 5 a.m. and between 7 p.m. and midnight on your two assigned days per week. Please reduce your run times to ensure you can fit within this schedule.
• Please ensure that you have a working rain sensor on your automatic system, or operate the system manually when rain is forecasted.
• This change in restriction does not mean we are out of the drought; however, the near-term weather forecast and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) order allowing curtailment of downstream irrigation make it unlikely that summer lake levels will fall below the 900K acre-foot storage level that triggered Stage 2.
• Austin has been in once-per-week restrictions since September 6, 2011, longer than surrounding communities, some of whom never reached a once-per-week restriction level.
• Citizen efforts throughout Stage 2 saved an estimated 10,000-15,000 acre-feet, enabling the region to avoid more stringent drought restrictions.
• Stage 2 savings is on top of savings from ongoing conservation efforts, which have reduced our annual demand by nearly 30,000 acre-feet in just the last ten years, and which continue to save water daily. Lifting restrictions does not mean Austin is no longer conserving.