Round Rock officials are joining regional authorities in calling on residents to increase conservation efforts as water usage rises.
What's happening
City officials are once again asking Round Rock residents to continue to conserve water, as drought conditions impacting area reservoirs persist. The twice-weekly watering restrictions based on the last number in a resident's street address remain voluntary, but the city is strengthening its encouragement to curb water use in line with the first stage of its drought contingency plan. City data shows daily water use rose by around 10 million gallons per day between June and July from 25 million gallons per day to 35 million.
The details
Drought restrictions in Round Rock are based on the 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. City officials also adjusted the drought contingency plan to encourage residents to follow Stage 1 water restrictions on a voluntary basis year-round with shifted watering times in May. Those restrictions became mandatory in June.
Why it matters
Ongoing drought conditions in Central Texas are leading local water authorities for both the Brazos and Lower Colorado rivers to issue warnings of heightening restrictions for cities in the area.
Lakes Buchanan and Travis, located west of Austin, are primary water reservoirs for the Lower Colorado River Authority, which announced July 24 that the lakes had reached 49% capacity. The water authorities are expecting those levels to drop a further 4%-5% by mid-August.
