To conserve treated drinking water during the ongoing drought in Central Texas, Austin Water Utility enacted Stage 2 Mandatory Watering Restrictions effective Tuesday, September 6, 2011. The goal is to preserve water supply for domestic water use, sanitation, and emergencies.

Set your automatic sprinkler system to follow the Stage 2 watering schedule. To ensure you are not wasting water, be mindful of leaking faucets, pipes, and irrigation systems operating with misdirected or broken sprinkler heads.  Wasting water is prohibited year round in Austin, and there is much you can do to conserve water and detect water-wasting leaks. Our detailed Frequently Asked Questions can give you more details.

Stage 2 Water Use Guidelines

• Residents may only water outdoors once a week. Homes with odd-numbered addresses can water on Saturday, even-numbered on Sunday.
• Businesses and multifamily units may only water outdoors once a week. Those with odd numbered-addresses can water on Tuesday and those with even-numbered addresses can water on Friday.
• Automatic sprinklers can only operate before 10 a.m. on your watering day. Hose-end sprinklers can be used before 10 a.m. and after 7 p.m.
• Hand watering can be done at any time on any day of the week.
• If you wash your car at home, do it on your watering day before 10 a.m. and after 7 p.m.
• You must use a hand-held bucket or a hose equipped with a shutoff nozzle; you may use a waterless cleaning product or a commercial carwash to wash your car on any day at any time.
• No charity carwashes are permitted unless a waterless cleaning product is used instead of water.
• No ornamental fountains may be operated except to provide aeration for aquatic life. Automatic fill valves for pools and ponds must be turned off as well.

Watering Schedule Variances

In some limited situations, we may grant a variance from the outdoor watering schedule during Stage 2 restrictions, which take effect September 6, 2011. All variances must be specifically requested on the form provided by Austin Water. Please note that applicants must follow the watering schedule in effect until a variance application is approved.

Violations

Violations of mandatory watering restrictions will result in an official warning followed by a citation if the violation is not corrected. Citations will be issued in Municipal Court with fines starting at $475. Report any violations by calling 3-1-1.

For More Information

You can find more information about water restrictions in the Water Conservation chapter of the Water Use Mangement Ordinance.