Water

The City’s Drought Contingency Plan consists of Year-Round Water Use Standards and three Drought Stages. When the City is not in a specified drought stage, the year-round water use standards are in effect.

The new standards apply to lawn irrigation. Outdoor watering by automatic irrigation or hose-end sprinkler is allowed before 10 a.m. or after 7 p.m. on your designated watering day(s). Please note that you are not required to water your lawn.  

ALLOWED

The following uses are allowed only when in compliance with the twice-per-week outdoor watering schedule:

• Use of soaker or drip hoses
• Foundation watering
• Vehicle washing (commercial car washes are exempt and can be open normal business hours)
• Filling swimming pools
• Irrigation of new landscaping, with an approved New Landscape Variance (however, new landscaping should be delayed when possible)
• Operating ornamental fountains that recirculate water

PROHIBITED

The following uses are prohibited during Stage 1 Drought Restrictions:

• Street washing
• Operating ornamental fountains that do not recirculate water
• Watering between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. with an irrigation system, hose end sprinkler, soaker hose, or drip irrigation

Note: Water waste is always prohibited. To report a water waste violation, please submit this form or call 512-671-2872. All complaints are kept confidential.

EXCEPTIONS

The following uses are exceptions to Stage 1 Drought Restrictions and may take place at any time:

• Irrigation by hand-held hoses or hand-held buckets
• Commercial carwashes
• Commercial plant nurseries
• Commercial power washing companies
• Athletic fields where field is in use (organized youth, amateur or professional sports)
• Necessary usage to protect the health, safety and welfare of the public (i.e. washing garbage trucks and vehicles used to transport food and perishables)
• Irrigation using other sources of water, such as a private groundwater well or rainwater

Q. Can my group hold a charity or fundraiser car wash while we’re in water restrictions?

A.  A charity or fundraising car wash can only be held at a car wash facility, so that the dirty, soapy, greasy water can be collected by the car wash sewer system and not discharged into the stormwater system, which would pollute the local creeks and water bodies.

If the car wash is held at a commercial car wash facility, then it can occur any day at any time; it is exempt to the restrictions. Commercial car washes control the runoff from the property and use more efficient equipment to wash the vehicles.

Q. Can I fill my swimming pool?

A.  Yes, you can fill your swimming pool on your designated day.

Q.  I just had new landscaping installed at my house that needs to be watered more frequently. What do I do?

A.  Newly planted landscaping does need to be watered more frequently in order to establish it. If more than 25% of your yard has new sod or landscaped area, you may apply for a new landscape watering variance.  

Q.  Can I pressure wash my house?

A.  Yes, on your designated day. A commercial company that provides pressure washing as its main business is not restricted to specific watering days.

Q.  I see a property that is wasting water or watering on a day that isn’t their assigned water day. Who do I report that to?

A. To report water waste or watering violations during drought restrictions, please click the button below or call 512-671-2872. All complaints are kept confidential.

Q.  Can I use a slip-n-slide or other water toy, or inflatable water-using piece of equipment?

A.  Yes, provided there is no water run-off from the property where it’s being used. Use it in the grass or other pervious area so the water soaks into the ground.

Q.  When can I wash my vehicle?

A.  You can wash your vehicle on your designated day at your house, or at a commercial car wash facility any time they are open.

Commercial car washes are not restricted during water restrictions because they are more efficient than washing a vehicle at a private residence. They capture and treat the dirty, soapy water onsite, or through the wastewater lines, rather than letting the water drain into the stormwater system, which is what happens when folks wash vehicles at home. The commercial equipment uses more pressure and less gallons of water per minute, so they overall use less water per vehicle.

Q.  When can I use my soaker hoses?

A.  They follow the same schedule as other irrigation. Only on your designated water days and not between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Q.  My commercial property is too large to water on one day.  Can I have an additional day to water on?

A.  Yes, large commercial or multifamily properties may apply for a Large Property Variance.  This is approved on a case-by-case basis and your assigned days must be followed until approved.