Austin has announced a shift to the baseline Conservation Stage of its Drought Contingency Plan following recent heavy rains that replenished the Highland Lakes. City Manager T.C. Broadnax and Austin Water’s director, Shay Ralls Roalson, highlighted the importance of continued water conservation despite improved water levels.
“The prolonged rains that devastated our region also dramatically filled the Highland Lakes, which now meet the criteria to move from Stage 2 to the Conservation Stage of our Drought Contingency Plan,” Broadnax said. He emphasized the need for Austinites to remain committed to preserving water resources.
The extensive rainfall in July increased storage in Lakes Buchanan and Travis to over 1.9 million acre-feet, or 94% full. The Lower Colorado River Authority forecasts lake levels will stay above 1.4 million acre-feet for at least four months, prompting a shift from Stage 2 restrictions set in August 2023 directly to the Conservation Stage.
Under this stage, automatic irrigation systems are limited to one day per week watering. “Austin’s water supply is a shared resource, and the responsibility to preserve it extends to every member of our community,” Roalson said.
The city’s Drought Contingency Plan, updated by the Austin City Council in November 2024, includes triggers based on water supply conditions for entering and exiting drought stages. Restrictions under this plan are more stringent than those in many other communities.
Conservation Stage regulations include specific watering schedules for various systems and restrictions on commercial activities like car washing and patio misting. Austin Water will continue monitoring compliance through reports received via Austin 3-1-1 and scheduled patrols.
For further details on Austin’s Drought Contingency Plan and related resources, visit their website at austinwater.org.
Austin Water provides essential services across more than 548 square miles in the metropolitan area, serving over one million residents with sustainable water solutions.
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