The city of Round Rock is preparing to join the long list of Central Texas cities instituting mandatory watering restrictions.

The City Council has a resolution scheduled for its Oct. 10 meeting that would institute Stage 1 mandatory drought restrictions—which limits outdoor watering to twice per week—beginning Oct. 14 for all city of Round Rock water customers. Round Rock Utility Director Michael Thane said the restriction is prompted by the declining water levels at Lake Georgetown, as well as a letter sent from the Brazos River Authority on Oct. 2 requesting the city reduce its water consumption by 10 percent from the same month last year.

Thane said because of the city's drought education outreach and the cooperation of residents in following voluntary watering restrictions this summer, the impact on most residents should be minimal.

"The world is not going to be on fire when we go to Stage 1, because people are already following that [voluntary] schedule," he said. "They are way more educated today than they were two years ago about the situation. We are not going to see much push back next week. [Residents] are probably wondering why we didn't go into restrictions even sooner."

The Round Rock watering restrictions are being issued in conjunction with the city of Georgetown, Chisholm Trail Special Utility District and Brushy Creek Municipal Utility District, who all share Lake Georgetown as their water source. The restrictions will also apply to all of Round Rock's commercial customers, including residents living in MUDs.

The Stage 1 restrictions will limit outdoor watering, vehicle washing, filling swimming pools and operating fountains that recirculate water to scheduled days. Fire hydrant flushing, operating fountains that do not recirculate water, as well as street, sidewalk and patio washing will be prohibited. Commercial car washes and plant nurseries will be excluded from the restrictions.

Properties with odd numbered addresses will be allowed to water on Wednesdays and Saturdays; those with even numbered addresses will be allowed to water on Thursdays and Sundays; and commercial, industrial, multifamily and municipal locations will be allowed to water on Tuesdays and Fridays.

The restrictions will remain in place until the BRA decides Lake Georgetown has sufficiently built up its water level. According to BRA Lower/Central Basin Manager John Hofmann, the lake currently sits at 40 percent capacity.

"We have made it through the hottest part of the summer, and things are not noticeably improving," he said. "Hopefully we will get our fall rainfall events and we will gain some [lake] elevation and we will reassess."

Local areas affected by Round Rock's Stage 1 watering restrictions:

City of Round Rock

Brushy Creek

Fern Bluff

Highlands at Mayfield Ranch*

Meadows of Chandler Creek

Paloma Lakes

Parkside at Mayfield Ranch*

Walsh Ranch

Vista Oaks

Teravista

*City of Georgetown water customers will also be placed under watering restrictions