Watering Schedule
Use the helpful tool below to find your watering day or scroll down to view the watering schedule and water use restrictions.
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Current Water Restrictions
The City of Austin is currently in Conservation Stage Water Use Restrictions.
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Residential
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Hose-end Sprinklers - two days per week - midnight to 10 a.m. and/or 7 p.m. to midnight
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Automatic Irrigation - one day per week - midnight to 10 a.m. and/or 7 p.m. to midnight (Residential customers may also water a second day with a hose-end sprinkler)
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Commercial / Multi-family / Public Schools
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Hose-end Sprinklers or Automatic Irrigation - one day per week - midnight to 10 a.m. and/or 7 p.m. to midnight
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Wasting water is prohibited
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Washing vehicles at home is permitted with an auto shut-off hose or bucket
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Charity car washes may only be held at a commercial car wash
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Fountains must recirculate water
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Restaurants may not serve water unless requested by a customer
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Patio misters at commercial properties (including restaurants and bars) may only operate between 4 p.m. and midnight
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Commercial power/pressure washing equipment must meet efficiency requirements
Exemptions
The following are allowed at any time on any day of the week:
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Watering with drip irrigation, a hand-held hose or a refillable container
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Watering trees with a Treegator®, soaker hose or automatic tree bubbler
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Watering vegetable gardens with a soaker hose
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Pressure washing sidewalk/driveway/deck/patio/paved areas/home siding/fence
Variances
In limited situations, Austin Water may be able to grant a variance from the water restrictions.
In limited situations, Austin Water may grant a variance from the water restrictions. All variance requests must be submitted using the applications below. Variances are issued on a case-by-case basis. Applicants must follow the current watering schedule until Austin Water approves a variance.
See our frequently asked questions for more details.
Types of Variances
- New Xeriscape Landscape – for a newly installed xeriscape landscape design that requires a special watering schedule.
- Large Property – for large residential or commercial property that cannot be completely watered under the current watering schedule (does not apply to new xeriscape landscape projects).
- Environmental – to protect an endangered plant, animal, aquatic species, or critical environmental feature.
- Health / Safety – to maintain the health, safety, well-being or cleanliness of the public or environment.
- Income – for businesses whose primary source of income depends on using water outside of the watering schedule.
- Medical / Disability – for a documented medical hardship or qualifying disability.
- Tree Disease / Pest Control – to treat a tree for diseases or to control pests.
Variance Approved Plant List
Austin Water might approve other plants that are low or very low water use once established. Stabilization/erosion control plants also qualify for this variance.
Enforcement
Failing to follow the water restrictions may result in enforcement action, including fines of up to $500 per violation. To report violations, call 3-1-1, use the 3-1-1 mobile app, or submit a report online. Please provide the address, time, date, and type of violation.