STAGE 2 DROUGHT RESTRICTIONS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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Revised: 2023-Aug-14
WATERING SCHEDULE
Automatic
Watering times are from 12:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. and/or 7:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. on a scheduled day for your
property.
Hose-End Irrigation
Watering times are from 12:00 a.m. to 10 a.m. and/or 7:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. on a scheduled day for your
property.
Your watering day(s) depend on your customer type, irrigation method, and street address:
• Monday
Public Schools
• Tuesday
Commercial/Multi-Family* -- automatic irrigation– with street address** ending in an even number
• Wednesday
Residential* -- automatic irrigation -- with street address ending in an odd number
• Thursday
Residential-- automatic irrigation -- with street address ending in an even number
• Friday
Commercial/Multi-Family -- automatic irrigation -- with street address ending in an odd number
• Saturday
Residential-- hose-end sprinklers -- with street address ending in an odd number
• Sunday
Residential-- hose-end sprinklers -- with street address ending in an even number
*Properties with four units or fewer follow the residential schedule. Properties with more than four units
follow the multi-family schedule.
**Properties with a “half” address follow the schedule for the house number without including the fraction
(for example, 2025 ½ Elm Street is considered an odd-numbered address).
WATERING METHODS ALLOWED ANY TIME ON ANY DAY OF THE WEEK
• Drip irrigation*, hand-held hose, or refillable container
• Watering trees with a Treegator®, soaker hose, soaker tape, or automatic tree bubbler in the drip-line
of the tree canopy
• Watering vegetable gardens with a soaker hose or soaker tape
• Watering with rain water, gray water, or other auxiliary water
*If your drip system is part of an automatic irrigation system, you must turn off the spray head zones
OTHER WATERING RESTRICTIONS CUSTOMERS MUST FOLLOW
Customers must also prevent water waste at their property. Water waste includes:
• Failing to repair a controllable leak, including a broken sprinkler head, a broken or leaking pipe, or a
leaking valve.
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• Operating a permanently installed irrigation system with:
o a broken head;
o a head that is out of adjustment where the arc of the spray head is over a street, parking area,
or other impervious surface; or
o a head that is misting because of high water pressure
• Allowing water to:
o Run off a property so that there is a trail of water running in a street, parking area, or other
impervious surface for a distance of 50 feet or greater
o Pond to a depth greater than ¼ inch in a street, parking area, or other impervious surface.
SCHOOLS
Watering is allowed from 12:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and/or from 7:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. on an assigned day.
Athletic fields that are used for organized sports practice, competition, or exhibition events where irrigation is
necessary to protect the health and safety of the players, staff, or officials present for the athletic event are
exempt from the schedule and may be irrigated at any time on any day.
Public schools water on Mondays.
Private schools follow the commercial schedule. The watering day is determined by the address on the water
utility service account.
• Odd-numbered addresses water on Friday
• Even-numbered addresses water on Tuesday.
GOLF COURSES
Watering is allowed from 12:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. and/or 7:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. on an assigned day. A golf
course green or tee may be irrigated every other day only if the irrigation of the location is consistent with a
variance filed and approved by Austin Water establishing the schedule.
CONDOS
Condos that have their own Austin water meters (individual unit billed directly from Austin Water)
follow the residential schedule. The watering day(s) is based on the number of the condo.
If using an automatic irrigation system:
• Odd-numbered condos water on Wednesday.
• Even-numbered condos water on Thursday.
If using a hose-end sprinkler:
• Odd-numbered condos water on Saturday.
• Even-numbered condos water on Sunday.
Condos without individual Austin water meters and irrigation systems in common areas (property
management billed by Austin Water for entire development and/or operated by property management)
follow the commercial schedule. Addresses are determined by the address of the water utility service account.
• Odd-numbered addresses water on Friday.
• Even-numbered addresses water on Tuesday.
MOBILE HOME PARKS
Individually operated sprinklers water by the street address or unit number of the mobile home.
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If using an automatic irrigation system:
• Odd-numbered units water on Wednesday.
• Even-numbered units water on Thursday.
If using a hose-end sprinkler:
• Odd-numbered units water on Saturday.
• Even-numbered units water on Sunday.
Common areas maintained by the park management follow the watering schedule for commercial
properties. Addresses are determined by the address of the water utility service account.
• Odd-numbered addresses water on Friday.
• Even-numbered addresses water on Tuesday.
PRESSURE WASHING
CAN I PRESSURE WASH MY SIDEWALK/DRIVEWAY/DECK/PATIO/OTHER PAVED AREA? WHAT
ABOUT THE SIDING ON MY HOUSE/FENCE/OTHER UNPAVED SURFACE?
Yes. You may pressure wash these items if you use a hose with an auto shut-off garden hose nozzle or
bucket.
I AM A PROFESSIONAL PRESSURE WASHER. WHAT RESTRICTIONS DO I HAVE TO FOLLOW?
All professional pressure washers, including mobile vehicle washing businesses, must use equipment that
includes:
• Spray nozzles that use no more than 3.5 gallons per minute,
• Recycling unit,
• Working trigger shut-off, and
• Protective weep mechanism- where applicable.
WASHING VEHICLES
CAN I WASH MY VEHICLE IN MY DRIVEWAY OR YARD?
You may only wash your car if you use a bucket full of water.
CAN MY ORGANIZATION HOLD A CHARITY CAR WASH?
No. Organizing a charity car wash is not allowed under Stage 2 Drought Restrictions.
FOUNTAINS
MAY I RUN AN ORNAMENTAL FOUNTAIN? WHAT ABOUT A WATER FEATURE IN MY GARDEN?
Yes, they may run as long as they recirculate the water and have an emission of water or an aerial fall of water
less than 4 inches. A recirculating fountain cycles water from its reservoir or catchment basin back to the orifice
or fountain jet.
WHEN CAN I ADD WATER TO A RECIRCULATING FOUNTAIN OR BIRDBATH?
You may add water at any time on any day.
CAN I OPERATE MY FOUNTAIN IF I USE GRAYWATER OR RECLAIMED WATER?
State law does not allow gray water to spray into the air so it cannot be used in a fountain. Reclaimed water
is not the same as gray water. Reclaimed water is highly treated and can be used in a fountain.
CAN I OPERATE A NON-RECIRCULATING FOUNTAIN IF I FILL IT WITH BOTTLED WATER?
Yes, bottled water is not regulated by the Water Conservation Code
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CAN I RUN A NON-RECIRCULATING FOUNTAIN IF IT SUPPLIES WATER TO WILDLIFE?
No, all operating fountains must recirculate. You can use a handheld hose or bucket to fill it so it can provide
water to animals or serve as a birdbath.
RECREATIONAL WATER USE
ARE THERE RESTRICTIONS ON OPERATING POOLS, SPLASH PADS, AND SPAS?
No. Pools, splash pads, and spas may be used, operated, and filled without restriction.
ARE THERE RESTRICTIONS ON MY KIDS PLAYING WITH WATER?
Children can use recreational water toys under all stages except Stage 4. Please place the toys in an area that
keeps run off from the property to a minimum.
PATIO MISTERS
CAN A RESTAURANT/CAFÉ/BAR OPERATE A PATIO MISTER?
Yes. Commercial facilities may operate patio misters between 4 p.m. and midnight.
I HAVE A PATIO MISTER IN MY BACKYARD. CAN I USE IT?
Yes. The Water Conservation Code does not restrict home use of patio misters
BUILDING FOUNDATIONS
I AM CONCERNED ABOUT FOUNDATION CRACKING. WHEN CAN I WATER IT?
You may water your home's foundation on your assigned watering day(s) and times. Set the sprinklers to water
the ground about 18 inches from the foundation.
ENFORCEMENT
WHO HAS TO FOLLOW THE WATER RESTRICTIONS?
All Austin Water customers must follow the restrictions. This includes customers who live in the Austin
Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ).
IF I USE AN AUXILIARY WATER SOURCE, DO I HAVE TO FOLLOW THE SCHEDULE?
No, as long as it is 100% auxiliary water and not augmented by potable water. The Water Conservation Code
does not apply to auxiliary waters, such as reclaimed water, rainwater, or gray water. Auxiliary waters are
subject to other city and state regulations, however. Auxiliary water sources that are augmented by potable
water must follow watering restrictions.
WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES OF A VIOLATION?
Failing to follow the restrictions can result in a fine on your water bill. Residential fines start at $75 per violation.
Commercial fines begin at $250 per violation. Fines increase after each violation. For information about the
entire fine matrix, please see Code § 2-13-24.
CAN I GET A FINE IF RUNOFF FROM ANOTHER PERSON’S PROPERTY COMES ONTO MINE?
No. Only the property where the runoff originates will be in violation.
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WHAT DOES IT MEAN IF I RECEIVE A REPORT OF VIOLATION POSTCARD IN THE MAIL?
It means that your address was reported for a water violation. Austin Water sends a Report of Violation
postcard as a courtesy so you can make sure your irrigation system is set for the correct schedule. It does not
mean that you received a fine.
HOW DO I REPORT A WATER VIOLATION?
You can call 3-1-1, submit a report online (under Service Type, select Water Waste Report), or use the 311
app on your mobile device. When reporting a violation, please provide the address, time, date, and type of
violation. Additional information such as a business name or specific location on the property is also helpful.
HOW CAN I FOLLOW UP ON WATER VIOLATION REPORTS?
You may call 3-1-1, use the website, or app to follow up.
I HAVE REPORTED A VIOLATION SEVERAL TIMES. WHY HAS THERE NOT BEEN A FINE?
An Austin Water staff member must witness a violation before issuing a fine. We use the reports we receive to
schedule patrols at times when violations are likely to occur. We also use them to prioritize patrols by
neighborhood.
WHAT CAN I DO TO PREVENT WATER WASTE?
• Inspect and maintain your irrigation system to repair leaks, replace broken sprinkler heads, adjust
misaligned heads, and reduce misting.
• Know your irrigation controller. Make sure watering times are appropriate to reduce overwatering/runoff.
• Incorporate the topography of your property into the design of your landscape.
WHAT IF I HAVE RUNOFF BECAUSE MY PROPERTY IS ON A SLOPE?
If runoff is an issue, talk to your landscaper or irrigator about strategies to reduce the amount of water that
flows from your property.
WHAT IF MY SPRINKLER HEADS ARE MISTING BECAUSE MY WATER PRESSURE IS HIGH?
One way to prevent misting is to have a licensed irrigator install a Pressure Reduction Valve (PRV) on your
system. Austin Water offers rebates for PRV installation.
VARIANCES
WHAT IF I HAVE A SITUATION WHERE I CANNOT FOLLOW THE RESTRICTIONS?
Variances are available in limited situations that include properties that are too large to water in a single day,
installation of new xeriscaping, or health and safety reasons. You must follow the current watering schedule
until Austin Water approves your variance application.
