Austin Water moves to Stage 2 restrictions; outdoor watering limited

Editor's note: the automatic irrigation times have been updated.

The city of Austin will enter Stage 2 water restrictions Aug. 15 as Lakes Travis and Buchanan are expected to drop below 900,000 acre feet.

The overview

Stage 2 restrictions include:

• Residential watering can take place ​one day per week from midnight to 10 a.m. and/or 7 p.m. to midnight. Even addresses can operate hose-end sprinklers on Sundays and odd addresses on Saturdays.
• Automatic irrigation can operate midnight to 5 a.m. and/or 7 p.m. to midnight on Thursday for even addresses and on Wednesday for odd addresses.
• Restaurants can serve water only when requested.
• Charity car washes are prohibited. Home car washing must use an automatic shut-off valve or a bucket.
• Patio misters at restaurants and bars may only run between 4 p.m. and midnight.
• Ornamental fountains can no longer be operated.
• New landscape establishment irrigation must follow the watering schedule.

More information can be found here.

How we got here

Since June, there have been at least 37 triple-digit days, according to National Weather Service data.

Most of Williamson, Travis and Hays counties are in extreme drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Extreme drought is described as major crop and pasture losses as well as widespread water shortages or restrictions.