An announcement from the city states residents may water their lawns a maximum of two days a week from 7 p.m.-midnight and midnight-noon, designated by the last number in a resident's address. Residents with addresses ending in four or eight may water their lawns on Sunday and Thursday; addresses ending in zero or three are designated to water on Monday and Thursday; addresses ending in two, six or seven may water on Tuesday and Friday; and addresses ending in one, five or nine may water on Wednesday or Saturday.
Usually, the city's recommended watering schedule is voluntary, the announcement states. Exceptions to outdoor irrigation restrictions under Stage 1 are watering via handheld hose or bucket, according to the city. The washing of streets and operation of ornamental fountains that do not recirculate water are also prohibited under Stage 1 water restrictions, according to the city's drought contingency plan that is included in its code of ordinances.
Drought restrictions were declared by City Manager Laurie Hadley, according to the announcement. The city's contingency plans for a drought point to lowered levels of water in the lakes that supply the city's water as a restriction trigger.
“Due to the lack of forecasted rain, we are taking action now to prevent the possibility of entering further drought restrictions down the road,” Hadley said. “A little bit will go a long way in ensuring we are continuing to use the resources we have in a responsible manner.”
The Brazos River Authority announced Stage 1 restrictions in March for Lake Georgetown, the city's primary water source.
This measure is part of the first state of the city's drought contingency plan that has a total of three stages. Stage 1 includes the biweekly residential lawn watering restrictions; Stage 2 would bring the two days a week of permitted watering down to one day a week; and Stage 3 prohibits outdoor irrigation and limits other water uses most strictly. Other uses of water limited by the city's drought contingency plan include the filling of pools, washing vehicles and operation of ornamental fountains with limitations ranging from set hours of the day to total prohibition, according to the plan.
Drought restrictions in Round Rock are based on water supply, demand and capacity of water treatment plants; wholesale suppliers; and public health, safety and wellness triggers. The restrictions may be lifted by the city manager if the conditions triggering them have been resolved or if the city manager determines it to be in the city's best interest to terminate the restrictions.
