Highland Lakes property owners could have to curtail water use under LCRA plan

Domestic water users along the Highland Lakes could soon follow the same strict watering restrictions as Austin residents.

The Lower Colorado River Authority board on Sept. 19 approved the first drought contingency plan for domestic water users that limits all outdoor watering to one day per week if the Highland Lakes' combined storage dips below 600,000 acre-feet. Following one written warning, penalties for each violation start at $300 and $700 per each subsequent violation.

"We will enforce the penalties for violations of this," LCRA water operations manager Ryan Rowney said during the Sept. 19 board meeting.

Both LCRA staff and a possible temporary part-time worker may help monitor possible violations, he said.

"It's going to be difficult," Rowney said. "We are going to have to rely on peoples' desire to be honest—and that's just the fact. We can't be everywhere at all times."

The change affects approximately 4,000 water users with LCRA contracts to draw water from the Highland Lakes. LCRA staff estimates up to 5,500 property owners draw water from the lakes.

As of Sept. 23, combined lake storage stood at 652,118 acre-feet, up significantly from 638,000 acre-feet the week before because of weekend storms.