Leander residents can begin irrigating their lawns again as of May 28 under the city’s newly lowered water conservation phase, according to the city.

In Phase 2, residential and commercial watering is allowed once a week. Residential watering is allowed between 7 p.m. and 10 a.m. on these days:

• Fridays: addresses ending in 1, 5, 9
• Wednesdays: addresses ending in 2, 4, 6, 8
• Sundays: addresses ending in 0, 3, 7

Commercial watering days differ from residential addresses:

• Tuesdays: addresses ending in 1, 5, 9
• Saturdays: addresses ending in 2, 4, 6, 8
• Thursdays: addresses ending in 0, 3, 7

Leander was under higher water restrictions due to a December pipeline break at the Brushy Creek Regional Utility Authority water treatment plant. The BCRUA completed pipeline repairs May 2. Leander is now receiving BCRUA plant water at a reduced rate, according to the city. All other water comes from the city-owned Sandy Creek water treatment plant.

The city was under Stage 4 restrictions—the city’s emergency phase—following the February winter storm and boil-water notice. The city revised its water conservation phases in March to move into Phase 3.

New phases, previously called stages, include:

• Phase 1: These are base water conservation restrictions. Residential watering can be two days per week.
• Phase 2: This is the water restriction phase. Residential watering is limited to one day per week.
• Phase 3: This is the water emergency phase. All outdoor watering is restricted to hand-watering only.
• Phase 4: This is the water system failure phase. Water use is limited to essential uses only.

The current water conservation ordinance includes penalties for violations. Residential violations include a warning on the first offense, a $50 fine for the second offense, $100 for the third offense, and $200 and nonemergency disconnection for the fourth offense, according to the ordinance. Commercial offenses are similar with greater fines.