A Quick Guide to Austin’s Stage 2 Drought Water Use Restrictions
In Austin, TX stage 2 drought conditions affect all property owners in the city, including homeowners. The summer months won’t bring much rain to the area, so these conditions may persist through August.
The following guide will help homeowners learn how the stage 2 restrictions affect water use on their residential properties.
Daily Watering Allowances
Before exploring the watering restrictions for each day of the week, property owners can find it helpful to learn about daily allowances. For example, there are no restrictions on using a handheld garden hose or a refillable watering container.
Property owners can also use the following methods when watering trees in the drip line of a tree canopy:
- Drip irrigation
- Treegator®
- Soaker hose
- Soaker tapei
- Automatic tree bubbler
Homeowners can use soaker tape, soaker hoses, and drip irrigation to water their vegetable gardens. In addition, there aren’t any restrictions on using auxiliary types of water, such as greywater and rainwater.
Daily Water Restrictions for Homeowners
Water allowances will change for each day of the week. Before using your irrigation systems, check this guide to make sure you follow the day’s restrictions.
Monday
On Mondays, all properties within homeowner association communities must meet the same watering standards as public schools, colleges, and golf courses.
Property owners can use automatic irrigation between 7:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. Homeowners can also use drip irrigation between 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m.
Tuesday
On Tuesdays, water usage restrictions apply to commercial properties. This includes multi-family properties with four or more residential units.
Wednesday
Residential properties with odd-numbered street addresses may use water on their properties each Wednesday. They can use automatic irrigation from 7:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. and drip irrigation from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Thursday
Water usage allowances permit both automatic (7:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.) and drip irrigation (7:00 p.m. to 10:00 a.m.) for residential homeowners with even-numbered street addresses.
Additionally, all properties within homeowner association communities can use drip irrigation during the applicable hours. This allowance also applies to public schools, universities, and golf courses.
Friday
Water usage applies to commercial and multi-family properties with odd-numbered addresses on Fridays. These properties can use automatic irrigation between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.
All commercial and multi-family properties can use drip irrigation (7:00 p.m. to 10:00 a.m.) on Fridays as well.
Saturday and Sunday
Homeowners share weekend water usage under stage 2 restrictions. On Saturdays, homeowners with odd-numbered street addresses can use hose-end irrigation and drip irrigation. On Sundays, homeowners with even-numbered street addresses can use hose-end irrigation and drip irrigation.
Reduce Water Waste Under Stage 2 Restrictions
While stage 2 water restrictions are in place, Austin encourages property owners to reduce water waste as much as possible. This includes making prompt repairs for leaking sprinkler heads, pipes, and valves. Never operate a permanently installed sprinkler system that has a broken, misaligned, or missing sprinkler head.
The city also asks property owners to avoid letting water spray onto sidewalks, asphalt, and other nonporous surfaces. Don’t let any water arc extend beyond 50 feet. Avoid letting puddles of more than ¼” deep form on hard surfaces.
Adjust Your Water Use to Comply With Stage 2 Restrictions
If you own an Austin home, you can refer back to this page to ensure you remain compliant with stage 2 restrictions. The best method for following these restrictions is to create a long-term water usage plan that will help you use less water week by week.
Ferris MyCue is the founder and owner of Grass Works Lawn Care, LLC located in Leander, TX. As a former firefighter who maintained yards on his days off, he saw a need for a dependable, local maintenance company that knew the hill country climate and could deliver quality landscaping services for a reasonable price. Since 2007 he has used his leadership to grow the company into one of the top landscape maintenance companies in Austin and surrounding areas offering landscape maintenance, design, and irrigation services to both residential and commercial clients. Ferris is also a member of the Seasonal Employment Alliance (SEA) and an active participant in advocacy efforts to help promote cap relief.