Raise Austin’s Water IQ

Do you know where your water comes from? The City of Austin’s water supply comes from the Colorado River. See? Your Water IQ is already going up.

Here in Central Texas, our growing population, booming economic development and hot, dry climate mean water is in greater demand than ever. It’s up to us to do right by the river and use its limited water supply wisely, so we can make it last for the future.

Luckily, reducing water use isn’t rocket science — it’s easy to save water. The first step is knowing about and following Austin’s new outdoor watering schedule.

Austin’s Outdoor Watering Schedule — Are you odd or even?

Here’s what you need to know to follow Austin’s outdoor watering schedule:
Austin in currently under Stage 2 water restrictions, which took effect August 24, 2009. Outdoor water use is limited to one per week, including irrigation and washing vehicles at home.

Single-family homes (including duplexes, triplexes and fourplexes):

  • Watering days are determined by street address
    — odd-numbered addresses water Saturday
    — even-numbered addresses water Sunday
  • If you water with an automatic sprinkler system, then you can water between 12 a.m. and 10 a.m. on the designated watering day. Never during the middle of the day.
  • Outdoor watering is restricted to once a week on the disignated watering day unless using a handheld hose or bucket.

Commercial and multi-family properties (including common areas of condominiums and homeowners’ associations):

  • Watering days are determined by street address
    — odd-numbered addresses water Tuesday
    — even-numbered addresses water Friday

Reporting Violations: If you see someone watering when they shouldn’t be, the best thing to do is to call Austin 3-1-1 or go online to fill out a water waste report. Please provide as much information as possible (address, date, time, type of violation). We will make sure violators understand the right way to water their landscape, and will help them comply with the ordinance. If they refuse to comply, they can be ticketed as violations are a Class C misdemeanor.

Save water, save money

Austin Water offers several water conservation rebate programs and freebies, including:

  • Free sprinkler system audits: The City offers free evaluations for residential customers with underground irrigation systems. The audit alone is a $160 value, can reduce summertime water bills by 20 - 50 percent, and might make you eligible for rebates on recommended system improvements.
  • Free toilets: Austin’s Toilet Replacement Program can help you replace up to three toilets per household if your home was built prior to January 1, 1996. Get free high-efficiency toilets with dual flush technology. To qualify, you must receive you water from the City of Austin or and eligible MUD.
  • WashWise rebates: The City offers a rebate of up to $100 ($50 water, $50 energy) for the purchase of high-efficiency clothes washers.
  • Pressure regulating valve rebates: The City offers a $100 rebate on the purchase and installation of a pressure regulating valve (PRV) for homes with excessive water pressure.
  • Rainwater harvesting rebates: Beginning July 1, 2010 the existing Austin Water Utility rainwater harvesting and rain barrel rebate programs will be combined into one capacity-based incentive program. Additional system and customer eligibility requirements will be detailed on the new application available on the website. Rebate amounts will be calculated at $0.50 per gallon for non-pressurized systems and $1 per gallon for pressurized systems. The maximum rebate amount will be increased to $5,000, not to exceed 50 percent of the project cost. Systems of more than 500 gallons will require approval prior to system installation.

For more information, please visit www.WaterWiseAustin.org

Follow Austin’s watering schedule.
Lower your water use. Raise your Water IQ.