Austin will move to Stage 2 water restrictions Tuesday. Here's what that means

Maddie Scott, Austin American-Statesman
Updated ·1 min read
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The city of Austin will move into Stage 2 watering restrictions Tuesday because of drought concerns.

Lakes Travis and Buchanan, reservoir lakes for the area's water supply, are expected to drop below 900,000 acre-feet within the next few days, according to a press release.

Failure to follow these watering restrictions could result in fines of up to $1,000 per violation:

Austin's Stage 2 water restrictions

  • Automatic irrigation and hose-end watering are allowed only one day per week. For hose-end sprinklers, those with odd-numbered addresses may water only on Saturdays, and those with even-numbered addresses are limited to Sundays. For automatic irrigation, watering is allowed on Wednesdays for odd-numbered addresses and Thursdays for even-numbered addresses.

  • Automatic irrigation run time is reduced by three hours, with a cutoff at 5 a.m. instead of 8 a.m.

  • Water waste is prohibited.

  • Restaurants may serve water only upon request.

  • Charity car washes are prohibited, and those washing vehicles at home must use an automatic shut-off valve or a bucket.

  • Patio misters at commercial properties, including restaurants and bars, may operate only between 4 p.m. and midnight.

  • Large ornamental fountains may not be operated.

  • New landscape-establishment irrigation is no longer exempt from the watering schedule.

When can you water your yard? Here's a list of water restrictions in the Austin area

Austin Water Director Shay Ralls Roalson believes there is no substitute for conservation.

“For many years, Austin has leaned into water conservation in normal weather as well as drought,” Roalson said. “As our current drought continues, we know that the entire Austin community will respond to the need to conserve our most precious resource."

During drought, the sandy spits of land known as the Sometimes Islands are more visible as the water level falls in Lake Travis.
During drought, the sandy spits of land known as the Sometimes Islands are more visible as the water level falls in Lake Travis.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Austin announces Stage 2 water restrictions. Here's what that means